Today we’d like to introduce you to Rita Narcisse.
Hi Rita, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
As a child, I loved to create beautiful things, from interior spaces to clothing if anything had to do with creativity I was all about it.
I would watch my single mother make a house a home with just a few added pieces here and there and we did not have much but no one ever knew that when you would walk into our home, I realized early on how much a person’s home/space affected them and with that, I knew Interior Design was the path for me.
I opened my Interior Design company in 2002 and I wanted all of my clients to have that feeling of tranquility, and peace for their spaces.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We have had our fair share of obstacles and challenges in the 2008 market bottomed out destroying the company I had built, along with a 10-year marriage. Now having two daughters ages 10 & 5 I was faced with two options sit and cry which I wanted to do and could not figure out, being said I found myself waiting tables at a local restaurant one of which clients I use to design their houses for I am now serving their food, talk about being humbled real quick!
For a moment, I was crushed but then I thought, “Hey Rita, you will survive and make a comeback one day but for now do what you need to do.” Fast forward to 2016, still a single mother now having a swimsuit line (yes, I went back to school and got a degree in fashion design) the line was going okay, we were in a few stores, had some social media presence but it was always a race to the finish it lasted for about 1.5 years and I had to stop the finical bleeding.
After a 5 year break with a man who I thought would be my person forever, one day, I came home and he was gone not even leaving a post-it behind. Now I have a daughter in college out of state and one in middle school, I just closed up my company and have $12,000 in the bank in total, talk about freaking out. I decided it was in the best interest for me and my girls for us to move into my mother’s house, selling mine and moving on so my daughter could stay in school, I mean why screw up her life anymore at this point.
In January of 2017, I was turning the big 40 and invited a few friends to my cousin’s restaurant, I had invited a friend (Eddie) of mine that I had known since 2009 when we saw each other for the first time that was it we were done, this is my person the one that completed me and my girls one hundred percent. I had just started a job at a local furniture store and hated it, he had an idea why not open up an Interior Design company?
I was scared it has been a little while since I have been in the industry, Eddie is in construction and knew I could do it so on April 2017 at 11:30 PM we opened Nouveau International Design, and I now had a crystal clear vision about the company and what it would look like. Eddie and I are a team, when I get scared or am unsure of anything he is the one that clears my mind and gives me the push I need to move forward without fear.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are family-owned and operated, currently have two other designers, and are looking to broaden our team. We specialize in making luxurious and comfortable spaces, each project is invigorating and we love to make the spaces pop with our touch from residential to commercial each one is unique.
We are proud of making comfortable spaces and creating a story for the client or customers to see. Nouveau international Design has created several restaurant interior spaces, the residential home’s from the ground up, and also one room at a time. Our clients are important to us and the end goal is to make sure they are happy, we have a multitude of options for our clients such as complete design packages, home styling, personal shopping, and our Turnkey package.
We will be with our clients from beginning to end no matter what the project may be.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I journal every day and evening, it is a great way to let go of some things and open the mind for new ideas that may be flowing.
When I am getting ready in the morning I listen to one of these wonderful podcast, “Business of Design, the School of greatness with Lewis Howes, a good design business, and Kate the socialite.” this podcast have taught me a lot and helped me to solve a few problems at times within my business and personal life.
I love to read so books are a for sure thing for me in the evenings or early mornings if I have the time. There are two that changed my life “You are a Badass and outwitting the devil” Game changer hands down!!!!
Contact Info:
- Email: rita@nouveauinternational.com
- Website: www.NouveauInternational.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nouveau_international_design/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/NouveauInternationalDesign/
Image Credits
High Hopes Photography, The Lock Agency, and Nouveau International Design
