Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Hornsby.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Entrepreneurship has always run in my family, so when the time came to transition one of my father’s businesses into something new, it was a natural decision to transform it into something that could serve the community. The location—a rural area in Vernon, Florida—was ideal for something special, so we decided to transform the existing business, which had been a music theater, into a wedding venue. For me personally, it was the perfect fit. With my love for design and helping people celebrate life’s most meaningful moments, I was thrilled by the idea of breathing new life into a space that already held so many memories. The transformation took 18 months of renovation and construction, but the result has been something I’m incredibly proud of. Although I live in Saint Augustine, I’ve been able to run the venue successfully thanks to an amazing team and the help of modern technology.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all— I even chuckled after reading this questions — but I don’t think it ever is when you’re building something meaningful. During the renovation process, both my father and my daughter were battling cancer, which was an incredibly emotional and challenging time for our family. On top of that, no renovation is without its hiccups, especially when you’re converting a space like a music theater into something entirely new. Starting a business from the ground up is not for the faint of heart either. While I felt confident in designing the venue, I had never built a brand or handled the daily operations of a wedding venue before. There was a steep learning curve, and many of the lessons came through trial and error. But as we all know, good things are worth fighting for. With the unwavering support of my husband, a healthy dose of grit, and a whole lot of prayer, I’ve been able to navigate the ups and downs and keep moving forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My first love has always been singing. One of the highlights of my musical journey was appearing on ABC’s *Rising Star* in 2014 and having the incredible opportunity to share the stage with Brad Paisley. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. But life took a different turn when my daughter was in the midst of a 12-year battle with brain cancer. In that season, I had to put my music career on hold—because while I may be a vocalist, I’m a mom first.
Even so, music never left my life. I continue to sing on my local church’s praise team, which is incredibly fulfilling. Christian music is where my heart is—it’s what I was created to sing.
My second love is design. That passion has grown into a dual career: in addition to running and operating our wedding venue, I also work as an interior designer with Florida Home Store in Jacksonville. Whether I’m writing a song from the heart or designing a space where a family will make memories, creating is something that brings me deep joy. It’s not just what I do—it’s who I am.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a very rural area of the Florida Panhandle, not far from Panama City Beach. It was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone—I was related to nearly everyone within a five-mile radius! Church wasn’t just something we did; it was a way of life. I was raised in a Christian home full of musicians, and from as early as I can remember, I was traveling and singing with my family.
My childhood weekends looked a little different than most. I’d hop off the school bus on Friday afternoon, jump onto our family tour bus, and spend the weekend singing at churches across the region. We’d return home late Sunday night, and Monday morning I’d be back at school like clockwork. That rhythm defined much of my elementary and early middle school years, and while it wasn’t conventional, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It instilled in me a deep love for faith, family, and music—and it helped shape my character in lasting ways.
After high school, I became a small business owner, but life took a sharp turn when I was in a career-ending automobile accident. That led me to a new path: teaching. I became a K-6 school teacher, and those years in the classroom turned out to be a priceless training ground. The organizational skills, flexibility, and ability to connect with people that I developed as a teacher have played a huge role in preparing me to successfully own and run a business today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.themajesticoaks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themajesticoaks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themajesticoaks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGiGxIIPoiM
