Teen decorating diva: a designer turns cluttered corners into dream spaces - entrepreneurship - Alexis Tiara Hudson

Black Enterprise, Sept, 2003 by Feona Sharhran Huff

Alexis Tiara Hudson is, to put it simply, gifted. The 17-year-old CEO of Lexica Interior Design is able to transform a boring bedroom into a soothing sleeping space and cluttered quarters into a stylish abode.

"When I was younger, I watched HGTV [Home & Garden Television] and a lot of interior decorating [programs], and I'd be amazed," says Alexis, a freshman at Spelman College in Atlanta, where she plans to major in economics and business management.

When Alexis turned 14, she put her passion for home decor to the test. She offered a rainbow of services, such as sitting with clients to determine the type of ambiance they desired; creating schematic designs, which are drawings based on her interpretation of client consultations; and personal shopping.

With her parents' support, she knew pursuing her passion would pay off. My dad would say, "When opportunity and preparation meet, success happens," Alexis recalls.

To prepare, Alexis secured an internship at an architectural firm in her hometown of Bedford Hills, New York, where, among other things, she learned the right way to charge customers--something she was clueless about when she first started her business.

Initially, Alexis charged clients based on the cost of materials. Now, however, she determines her fee based on the industry's official price sheet. Novice interior designers charge 12% of the total cost of the entire project. On top of that, she charges an hourly fee of $8.50 when working directly with clients and $10.50 when she's working on a project alone.

When her father, a pastor, asked her to redecorate one of the church's bathrooms, she immediately took on the project, for free, to get the experience. "It was a challenge," Alexis admits, "because I had to know the building codes for a historical landmark [for example, you can't use certain types of paint and the on the floor]."

Alexis rose to the occasion and completed the job in less than two weeks. As a result, she received lots more jobs, including remodeling a human resources office at Cherry Lane Music Co. in New York City.

Alexis' work ethic has earned her a solid client list. She's in demand for projects with budgets ranging from $500 to $15,000.

Last year, Lexica Interior Design grossed $1,200, most of which Alexis used to pay for two summer courses. That's pretty cool for the full-time student, who recently started contracting out some of Lexica's painting and carpentry jobs to professional painters and carpenters who attend her church. "I realized that sometimes you need to ask for help."

Alexis has learned to make networking a top priority; she has also realized the importance of having a competitive spirit--and a lot of drive. "Whether or not you're a child, you still have to put forth your best foot and compete against other people," she says.