If life was a colour wheel, Trisha Isabey could say sheB次元官网网址檚 found success on both ends of the spectrum.

Trisha is the owner of , a luxury interior design firm, but before she walked the creative halls of home design, she worked in the very linear world of banking and investment.

B次元官网网址淚 was an investment advisor for 15 years. I really enjoyed my career, but I was always more of an artistic person than a numbers person,B次元官网网址� she explains.

As a women who throws herself fully into whatever sheB次元官网网址檚 doing, Trisha knew the time commitment and pressure that comes with investment banking wouldnB次元官网网址檛 mix well with her style of mothering. When she was pregnant with her first child, Trisha sold her portion of the business to a partner and focussed solely on being a wife and mother.

B次元官网网址淚t was great for about five years. Then I got bored to the point where I was almost a professional baby food maker,B次元官网网址� Trisha laughs. B次元官网网址淢y kids had a full menu of organic, pureed foods and I finally said to my husband if I donB次元官网网址檛 do something soon, IB次元官网网址檓 going to go crazy.B次元官网网址�

Trisha had always harboured passions for fashion and interior design. As she went back and forth trying to determine which one she could build into a successful part-time business, fate stepped in.

B次元官网网址淚 got asked by a friend, a commercial realtor, to design a space for him,B次元官网网址� she recalls. B次元官网网址淚 said B次元官网网址榶esB次元官网网址� and it was so much fun that when it was finished I said to my husband, B次元官网网址榯his is what IB次元官网网址檓 going to do, this is it.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

The business quickly took on a life of its own.

B次元官网网址淚t became a word-of-mouth thing through my circles and it didnB次元官网网址檛 stop.B次元官网网址�

The part-time job she had initially envisioned blossomed into a full-time, full-service design firm with five employees.

B次元官网网址淚 thought I would just do it from home,B次元官网网址� chuckles Trisha. B次元官网网址淚t just kept escalating and then we were nominated for and Georgies, then I started working for CTV and writing for BC Living and producing a design video.B次元官网网址�

None of this is a surprise once you spend a little time with Trisha. ItB次元官网网址檚 clear sheB次元官网网址檚 not one to sit idle.

B次元官网网址淚 think IB次元官网网址檓 the type that you just canB次元官网网址檛 take the business person out of me,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚 started carrying furniture lines right away because I couldnB次元官网网址檛 find what I wanted here. I started phoning up vendors asking if I could buy from them, then I started attending shows and really getting to know products.B次元官网网址�

Today, Trisha has a studio space at 484 Adams Road in Kelowna, but sheB次元官网网址檚 also designed her own home as a showcase for potential clients to get a taste of what she can do and the products she offers.

B次元官网网址淚 have clients here three to four times a month. They can look at things, feel things. It also lets them see all the pieces together.B次元官网网址�

Trisha is invested in her clients. She believes a big part of her success is her commitment to getting to know someone before pulling out a single paint chip.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very consultative. The first couple of meetings I spend getting to know the clients and their lifestyles B次元官网网址� getting to know their tastes, their future plans. Once I get a real feel for what a client likes, I visualize and put it all together,B次元官网网址� she explains. B次元官网网址淚 like to put someoneB次元官网网址檚 personality into a home.B次元官网网址�

Throughout the six years sheB次元官网网址檚 spent building her design business, Trisha is consistently amazed at its parallels to her previous career.

B次元官网网址淭he listening portion is the critical stage as IB次元官网网址檓 gathering information on so many levels,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 also like a marriage counselor because you donB次元官网网址檛 always have a couple on the same page, so you have to mediate. When I was in the brokerage industry it was exactly the same thing, we were trained to assess, balance and mitigate.B次元官网网址�

Trisha can and will (time permitting) take on clients with a variety of projects and budgets, but now with other trusted designers on staff she can focus on her preferred niche.

B次元官网网址淚 like luxury; it fits my personal style. My favourite kind of client is someone whoB次元官网网址檚 not afraid to take a little bit of a risk and do things that are outside of the box.B次元官网网址�

Trisha is proud of what she calls her B次元官网网址渄ream team:B次元官网网址� a shortlist of trades people and suppliers that she works with and trusts implicitly.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 particular. If IB次元官网网址檓 going to refer someone whoB次元官网网址檚 going to renovate your home and it doesnB次元官网网址檛 work out, thatB次元官网网址檚 a reflection on me. There has to be a great relationship between me and whoever I send to a client. I donB次元官网网址檛 feel comfortable otherwise.B次元官网网址�

Even with such a demanding work schedule, Trisha is never too busy for family time with husband Kevin and children Lauren and Matthew.

B次元官网网址淚f I need to do work in the evening, weB次元官网网址檒l all be at the table, the kids doing homework, while I may be working on a quote.B次元官网网址�

She picks up her kids from school each day and the family makes time for passions like golf, boating and travel.

Trisha doesnB次元官网网址檛 see herself ever fully retiring.

B次元官网网址淲hen you do what you love thereB次元官网网址檚 no end date,B次元官网网址� she says.

She does, however, see her role transitioning into more of a mentor.

B次元官网网址淚 want to help build the careers of the girls who are working for me. IB次元官网网址檓 a big promoter of people with talent. I am the face of the business but I have no problem bringing people up however high they want to rise.B次元官网网址�

With a full project calendar and an award-winning business, Trisha is still on the rise. She has a good life built on the solid foundation of a loving family, a trusted team and, ultimately, very satisfied clients.

B次元官网网址淭here is nothing better than a phone call from a client saying B次元官网网址業 love what you did.B次元官网网址� That to me is the whole reason I do what I do.B次元官网网址�

-Story by Toby Tannas

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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