Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Carbaugh
Hi Robin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
sending this from my website (editing some to be current)
I am a designer, photographer and entrepreneur. Our 1930s home & landscape are forever evolving given my passion for creative design & my husband’s craftsmanship and expertise.
Travis and I have been married since 1993 – We owned a brick and mortar, custom-closet business for 15 plus years. We started the business in our 20s (in good ole 1997). However, when the economy hit the home industry in 2008, we learned many valuable lessons including to never have all of our eggs in one basket. We pushed through and never went out of business, however, it led me to pursue a career in the corporate world for extra stability. We ended up selling that business but our entrepreneurial heart & spirit never died. Travis runs his own business in the housing industry and I still run my own brand ; If I am not growing & creating, I’m simply not living. Ironically, given the pandemic, I was forced to go on a few temporary hiatuses with my corporate job. Several months into the journey, I decided to reach out to a custom closet company & have found so much joy and fulfillment tapping back into my roots of space-planning & design. After 13 years with my corporate job, I decided to take a leap of faith and focus on all the services I am most passionate about and on my own terms.
Our children are our pride and joy – Both are happily married (I can share more details on them if suggested)
A little more about me – I especially love assisting with creative projects. I specialize in space-planning/design in the organizational niche of custom systems. I can assist with closets, offices, pantries, garages & so much more. I am in sales & design for an East Tn co: Closets by McKenry and Designer Garages. I also love collaborating with interior design projects as well. As a photographer, I can support your vision for any type of need. From product to pet, from newborn to family to events and more. I am skilled in executing in any lighting situation.
I also enjoy working with production companies for filming opportunities both in our home & on our property. I have also been an expert in a spot on HGTV’s DIY channel for a closet design showcasing a nursery make over. Various production companies have used our home and property for several productions. Our home is also listed on Giggster – Celeste A Photographers Oasis (Knoxville, Tn) In addition, if you are a photographer that would like to photograph your clients using our property, please reach out for details.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not all smooth sailing – I’ve learned to adjust the sails along the way..That’s how we grow and learn anyway. Looking back, there really isn’t anything I would change. Even the most tough and trying scenarios brought forth strength and wisdom.
When thinking back on my childhood, struggles were not completely hidden from which inadvertently taught valuable lessons that armed me with a mindset of perserverence and thinking on my feet for solutions.
When the economy tanked in the housing market in 2008, that was probably one of the toughest hurdles career wise. (you can reference to some of what I mentioned about this in the previous answer or I can elaborate)
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Much of this info is in the first answer from info I pulled from my website but I would say having almost 20 years experience in the spaceplanning and design industry (custom closets etc etc) sets me a part, also my dedication to clients truly listening to their needs including aesthetic, functionality and budget. As far as photography, I am also patient and pay attention to detail with the end goal of capturing a milestone as if each image is part of the page in the clients book. My end goal is to bring you back to those fleeting moments.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I am a big believer in risk taking, leaps of faith and I always strive to encourage others to do the same. I feel like I have been taking leaps of faith & risks my entire life – the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, growing up around risk takers, was both formative and inspiring. My parents picked a place on the map a few times… As a very young adult, marrying at 20, moving to Ca while my husband was in the Navy to starting a company in our 20s and building it on consistency (and a wing and a prayer – ha!) to starting a new career after 15 years of running our own co to pouring my heart and soul into leading a team and building a territory for someone else’s co, to starting all over again in the custom storage space during the pandemic. I am always looking for ways to build, grow and create. If I am not creating or growing, I’m simply not living. As a woman in my 50s, the transition back into custom design space has been transformative on so many levels. I can honestly say the journey has led me to find myself again. I’m simply grateful.
Pricing:
- Custom storage systems range in price
- Clients can message me for any of my services and I customize pricing based on their needs
- My skincare link directs right to pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://colormeglowing.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rockinrobin1972
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/robin.mcmanoncarbaugh/
