The Creativepreneurs interview series explores the entrepreneurial journeys of black creatives. 

What is your creative work and what inspired you to start?

I’m a designer focusing on all things Interior Design. My latest ventures include teaching an online decorating class, selling vintage rugs and shopping for home makeover shows. Ever since design school, I knew I wanted to own my own business. I have many journals filled with notes detailing business ideas and entrepreneurship.

How do you access your creativity and prepare to do your work?

The excitement and challenge of new projects creates an electrical buzz which is where my creative ideas come from.  It’s intuitive for me - I can usually walk into a space and immediately start visualizing ideas. To execute a project, I use my logical side and follow a step by step process I’ve developed from experience. I can’t work if my space is messy or disorganized, so I’ll clean up or rearrange if I feel unmotivated or stuck. I also work best in the evening and typically need to have Netflix or talk radio on to get into it.

What do you hope to inspire or accomplish?

I hope to accomplish creating a lifestyle for myself that feels fun, free, creative and thriving, all the while helping people create better spaces and give them access to really neat quality finds that they cherish for years.  

What if any surprises or challenges have you encountered?

My biggest challenge is having staying power to stick with one idea/ focus. I prefer lots of short term projects and gigs within design. I’ve never been able to stick with just one thing.  And I’ve struggled with accepting if that’s okay.

How do you practice self-care and recharge?

When I’m burned out the thing that brings me the most joy is hopping in the car with my best friend for a day trip and the city behind me - and even better if it’s a weekday. On a smaller scale, massages and vegging out on the sofa with Project Runway helps too.  

What advice do have for women considering entrepreneurship?

Test your ideas by trying to see if you can sell before you create a whole website, register your business and order the business cards.  Start before you do any of this.  Also, follow what feels good and uses your natural talents.

What are your other dreams and goals?

My dreams include owning a home, opening a furniture/ home decor store and starting a family.

What are you most proud of with your business?

I’m most proud of the fact that I've genuinely been able to pursue my passions. I’m not where I want to be fully, but I’m working on it.

Where can we learn more about you?

My website baiyina.com or my youtube channel www.youtube.com/quirkyliving.

Anything you would like to add?

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that you just have to be who you are.  One of my favorite authors Jean Haner wrote a book called “Your Hidden Symmetry”.  And it’s all about understanding your true nature and then creating your life around that, rather than trying to change yourself to fit a life around you.

Baiyina is also featured in Black Minimalists on the Web. Learn about other creativepreneurs.

Photos courtesy of Baiyina Hugley.