Bonnie J. Lewis

I think a lot of my success comes from my mom. She had a tough life and worked hard growing up. When I grew up, most moms were homemakers, but my mom was a professional cake decorator that owned a business teaching cake decorating classes and selling supplies. None of my siblings did this, but I joyfully and voluntarily started working in her store when I was 10, and by 12, I would running the store on Saturdays when she and my dad would go to Detroit for the day. Women would come in the store looking for supplies to decorate a cake for their kids' birthday or for other occasions, but simply had no ideas. I would quickly come up with an idea and dash around that store and pull all the decorations needed to create the design I envisioned. I would lay it out, showing them how to decorate the cake. I was very good and they would buy what I was showing them. I didn't even think about selling, I thought of it as helping them. And that is similar to what I do now, I creatively design and present to my clients the space and electrical plans, elevation drawings, finishes, fixtures, materials, colors, furniture, and lighting. Over ninety percent of the time I am spot on with selections matching their desire and they don't ask for any changes. It is a very minor change if they do want one. It reminds me that this is exactly what I was doing when I was young, just with refined, advanced knowledge and skills. Both of my parents were such hard workers, they just had an amazingly strong work ethic and taught me to always do my best. They were great role models. I've always have had that drive, and a desire for excellence. When my mom passed, I gave her eulogy. One thing I shared was the best thing that Mom ever taught me was, and I don't want to sound crass, but she taught me young, don't ever take any crap from guys.

The best career advice I ever received came from my mother: "Don’t ever take any crap from guys." That lesson in self-respect and assertiveness has guided me throughout my career, especially in male-dominated professional settings, and has shaped the way I navigate challenges with confidence and integrity.

First off, get a college degree in interior design, because besides that you need it, it's a good education. With the HGTV and home shows, I saw it firsthand when I went back to college and got my degree in interior design - I was in school with a lot of younger folks coming in, and there was a lot of disillusion that was uncovered. Some thought it was all going to be just picking out pretty stuff. They learned along the way that it involves technology and science. It was tough seeing some drop out near the end. I thought, oh my gosh, you spent all this effort, time and money and you just gave up after realizing that it's a lot more than what they see on TV shows. Those shows are made for entertainment. They are not real world design. The reality is professional interior design involves art and science.

One of the biggest opportunities is more adults want to remain in their homes through retirement vs. a move to assisted living. The primary challenge is that they are not aware that their homes were not designed and built to accommodate them as age beyond 55. According to a Harvard Housing study, 99% of homes in the U.S. are not ready for Aging in Place. They also don't understand that making the investment to have their home professionally designed and remodeled for Aging in Place BEFORE needed (they think they are too young) actually is a proactive preventative measure that boosts longevity, will allow them to stay in their home, and costs a lot less than assisted living.

The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are my Christian faith, being a good citizen, hard work, helping others, independence and self-reliance, and the courage to stand up for myself when it matters.