An interview with Shalagh Elliott of Shalagh Elliott Design Company in Greater Napanee.
Personal pronouns.
She/Her
Briefly describe your business.
Shalagh Elliott Design Company (SEDC) is a full-service residential design firm; serving clients in Hastings County, Prince Edward County, Lennox & Addington County and Kingston, Ontario.
SEDC’s principal focus is creating beautifully designed interiors with an approach that consistently pairs an understated elegant design philosophy with the personal taste and functional needs of the client.
Partnering with Ashley of Black Barn Co., together we have opened a brick and mortar Interior Design Studio/Home Décor and Lifestyle Boutique in downtown Greater Napanee.
What brought you to the region?
After our first child was born my husband and I knew we wanted to raise our family where our roots, history and families are and that brought us back home to The Bay of Quinte Region from Western Canada. Where neighbours are like family, clients become good friends, and community means so much more than where you live.
What makes the Bay of Quinte a good fit for your business?
There is so much history and beauty in the architecture and homes that lie throughout the Quinte region. This sets the foundation and base with the opportunity and support for new age growth and development. And of course, the people, the clients, the support, the trusted trades and the suppliers make it easy to stay local and be proud of where we live and what comes out of it.
What was the hardest thing about starting a business?
Taking the leap, trusting in myself and the fear of how it would be received.
What advice do you have for entrepreneurs in the area?
Take the leap and trust in yourself and your community (geographical, business, friends, family, etc.). They will help support and guide you more than you could imagine. Stay true to yourself, your vision and believe in your instincts. Do not let people think you are “lucky” to have what you have accomplished let them know how hard you worked for it.
How do you like to spend your days off?
Our days are filled with family and friends at the hockey rinks, baseball diamonds, beaches, ski hill, campgrounds and parks, so we are typically on the move with days at home being few and far between. But when we do get to stay home, getting into a good family movie and snuggling on the couch is probably my favourite place to be.
If you could have one word tattooed on you, what would it be?
“She believed she could, so she did”
My closest girlfriends put this on a mug for me when I was starting out on my own as a quote of encouragement and they are words I live by. I believe in believing in yourself and trying hard things. This is how I want young women doing anything for the first time or something that they feel is out of reach to fall back on to motivate them. This is something that I am trying to instill in my own children – that if they believe in themselves they can move mountains.
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