A candid reflection on building influence through consistency and courage. Discover how showing up authentically during life's hardest seasons creates the foundation for real impact and meaningful connection.
Influential Woman · Interior Design/Creative Arts/Home Decor
Shaqueria Dial
Founder & Principal Interior Designer, S.D.Designs LLC
Birmingham , AL 35244
1Article published
1Award received
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I create sustainability by putting God first, staying organized, setting boundaries, and balancing intentionality with rest and faith to avoid burnout.
Shaqueria Dial · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Shaqueria
Shaqueria Dial is a multi-faceted Interior Designer, Digital Creator, and Visual Artist, blending artistry with purposeful design. As the founder of S.D.Designs LLC, she specializes in Virtual Interior Design services, transforming homes into functional, beautiful, and highly personalized spaces. Her work reflects a unique vision shaped by her love for art, dance, travel, and creative exploration.
Shaqueria is known for her creativity, determination, and adaptability, qualities that allow her to approach design and digital creation with innovation and authenticity. Through her curated e-design packages, she makes professional design accessible while empowering clients to bring their individual style to life. Beyond transforming spaces, her work inspires others in the creative community, particularly emerging Black artists and designers.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shaqueria
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to creativity, determination, and a willingness to keep learning. Staying true to my vision, showing up fully, and embracing every challenge has allowed me to grow, create meaningful work, and make an impact across design, art, and digital creation.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to “show up fully, even when no one else is watching.” It’s about bringing your creativity, dedication, and authenticity to every project, regardless of recognition or external validation. That mindset has taught me to trust my vision, stay consistent, and push through challenges. Over time, showing up fully has opened doors, built trust, and allowed me to create work that truly makes an impact.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to start early, trust your vision, embrace your creativity, and stay persistent. Don’t be afraid to stand out or take up space, even if you’re the only one in the room who looks like you. Invest in your skills, keep learning, and build a network of mentors and peers who uplift you. Most importantly, remember that your unique perspective is your strength—own it, share it, and let it guide the work you create.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the creative and design industry right now is standing out in a highly saturated digital space, where trends move fast and attention is limited. For Interior Design specifically, translating in-person experiences into virtual formats—like E-Design—can also be a challenge, but it’s also reshaping how we connect with clients.
At the same time, there are incredible opportunities. Technology and social media allow creatives to reach global audiences, showcase unique perspectives, and build personal brands like never before. There’s also a growing demand for inclusive and diverse voices in design, which opens the door for Black creatives and artists to lead, innovate, and inspire. For me, these challenges push me to stay creative, adaptable, and authentic, while the opportunities let me amplify my impact across multiple creative platforms.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are creativity, integrity, and authenticity. Creativity drives me to explore new ideas, innovate, and bring fresh perspectives to every project or piece of art I create. Integrity ensures that I honor my commitments, maintain professionalism, and build trust with clients and collaborators. Lastly, authenticity keeps me grounded—it reminds me to stay true to my vision, express myself honestly, and approach every opportunity with intention and passion. Together, these values guide how I work, create, and live.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Shaqueria
The Momentum of the Unfinished: Why I Stopped Waiting to "Arrive"
From Waiting for Perfection to Thriving in the In-Between: A Founder's Journey of Building While Becoming
I used to think that being “influential” meant having every answer, a perfectly polished team, and a decade of flawless wins. I thought people only listened once you had reached some final, sparkling version of success.
But my journey hasn’t looked like a straight line to a finish line.
It has looked like six years in my field and four as a business owner, with the real “shift” only just happening recently. Between 2024 and 2025, my business hit its best stride yet—a steady clientele, a growing brand, and a vision finally coming to life. But if I’m being honest, those were also some of the hardest years of my life personally.
It was a season of deep contrast: professional highs met with personal lows that tested everything I thought I knew.
The Power of the “In-Between”
For a long time, I felt like I had to wait—wait until the personal storm passed, wait until I had more help, wait until I felt like I had “learned everything.” But if I had waited until I felt 100% ready, I would still be standing at the starting line.
What I’ve discovered is that impact doesn’t require arrival. It requires the courage to be seen while you are still building.
There is a specific kind of grit that comes from being a solo founder—working through the ins and outs with no one but yourself, your momentum, and God. When you’re the marketing, the execution, and the vision all at once, you learn that your biggest asset isn’t a team; it’s your consistency.
The Anchor of Consistency
The best advice that keeps me grounded is to show up fully, even when no one else is watching. Consistency is easy when things are going well, but it’s a choice when you’re at your lowest.
In those difficult moments between 2024 and 2025, I had to choose to believe in myself and my dream every single morning, even when I didn’t feel like it. I had to show up for myself first. Because I stayed consistent in the dark, the momentum didn’t just stay steady—it multiplied. Now, in 2026, that momentum is building even more, proving that the work you do in the quiet, hard seasons is what builds the foundation you’ll eventually stand on.
Why the “Unfinished” Version Matters
As a creative, I’ve realized that my perspective—especially as a young Black woman in this industry—is my greatest strength. Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s mine.
We often think we need to hide the ins and outs or the fact that we’re doing it all alone while navigating personal hurdles. But those are the parts that actually connect. When we share the journey while we’re still in it, we create space for someone else to realize they don’t have to be “finished” to be impactful, either.
Still Becoming
At 27, I don’t have a perfectly wrapped story yet. I’m still navigating the challenges of scaling, still mastering my craft, and still figuring out the next step. But I’ve stopped waiting to reach the destination before I start enjoying the view.
If you’re currently working with nothing but your drive and your faith—keep going. Your story doesn’t need to be complete to be powerful. It just needs to be honest.
Maybe the real “How She Did It” isn’t about the end result at all. Maybe it’s just the courage to keep showing up while you’re still becoming. 🥂✨
Written by: Shaqueria Dial, S.D. Designs LLC
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