Influential Woman · Interior Design / Construction / Real Estate
Erica Garcia
Principal / Broker / Owner, House Curate Company
Crown Point, IN 46307
Her Story
About Erica
Erica Garcia is an NCIDQ-certified, state-registered interior designer, licensed general contractor, real estate broker, and entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience spanning design, construction, and real estate. As the founder and owner of House Curate Company, she has built a unique business model that brings together buying, selling, designing, and building under one brand.
At age 19, Erica entered the construction industry, gaining firsthand exposure to both office operations and field activities. That early experience provided a unique perspective on how successful projects are managed, coordinated, and ultimately brought from vision to reality. Fueled by a passion for the built environment, she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design along with additional training in architectural drafting before spending nearly a decade with a boutique architecture and design firm. There, she gained experience across a diverse range of residential and commercial projects, working with both public and private sector clients and developing a strong foundation in thoughtful, client-centered design.
From an early stage in her career, Erica envisioned a future where she could design, build, and ultimately sell her own homes. That vision led her to expand beyond traditional design practice into real estate, entrepreneurship, property investment, home renovation, house flipping, and new construction. Along the way, she recognized a significant disconnect between the design, construction, and real estate industries and saw an opportunity to bridge the gap.
Today, through House Curate Company, Erica helps clients navigate every stage of the home journey, from purchasing and selling to renovation, staging, design, and new construction. Her ability to combine creative vision with technical expertise, construction knowledge, and market insight allows her to provide a comprehensive, lifestyle-focused approach that is uncommon in the industry.
Beyond her work with clients, Erica is a passionate advocate for education, mentorship, and professional development. Having built her career through continuous learning, certifications, workshops, conferences, and hands-on experience, she is committed to helping others gain confidence and succeed in industries that can often feel intimidating to newcomers. Her mission is not only to transform homes but to empower people through knowledge, guidance, and opportunity.
Her mission is to help people enhance their lifestyles through design, with real estate creating the opportunity and construction making those dreams a reality.
Guided by the values of integrity, education, service, and community, Erica believes great design goes far beyond aesthetics. Through her work, mentorship, and leadership, she continues to help clients create homes that support their lifestyles while inspiring fellow professionals and contributing to the future of the design, construction, and real estate industries.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Erica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to curiosity, continuous learning, and having the courage to trust my instincts. My experiences in design, construction, and real estate helped me recognize a gap between those industries and inspired me to become a bridge between them. What began as a dream to design, build, and sell homes evolved into a passion for helping others navigate the process with greater confidence and clarity. I've always believed in investing in myself, seeking knowledge wherever I can find it, and trusting that inner voice that pushes me toward purpose and possibility.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to never stop investing in myself. Early in my career, I became a student of my industry by attending seminars, conferences, certifications, and workshops whenever possible. I believe knowledge compounds over time, and every project, client interaction, professional relationship and learning experience builds my expertise. Confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything; it comes from being willing to learn anything.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep learning, stay curious, and never stop investing in yourself. Confidence is built through experience, education, and a willingness to keep growing. Find your voice, share your knowledge, and don't wait for permission to take a seat at the table. Be selective about whose advice you take, and always trust your instincts. Some of the best decisions you'll ever make come from listening to that quiet inner voice.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see a growing opportunity for professionals who can think holistically across real estate, design, and construction. Clients increasingly benefit from trusted advisors who understand the entire process and can help them make educated decisions from start to finish. I also see an opportunity to raise professional standards through education and collaboration, as many talented professionals simply lack access to the right information. Stronger knowledge-sharing across industries can help strengthen these fields as a whole. I believe the future belongs to professionals who are willing to combine expertise, continue learning, and focus on delivering value beyond the transaction.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, education, service, and community. I believe knowledge has limited value if it isn’t shared. As I’ve grown through my experiences in design, construction, and real estate, I’ve felt increasingly responsible for mentoring others and helping people access the information and opportunities they need to succeed.
Personally, I value family, relationships, creativity, and continuous growth. I want to spend my life creating meaningful work, helping people build better lifestyles, and making a positive impact on the communities I serve.
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