I'm well aware that Laksmi, pronounced "Locks Smee", is an unusual name for being an East Tennessee girl. It's Sanskrit, an ancient language from India. Laksmi is the goddess of wealth, luck, and good fortune. You can imagine teachers trying to say my first name in school! I got the nickname Lucky when I was a child and as far as I'm concerned, it's my real name. I am often asked if I really am "Lucky". The truth is I am! I am incredibly blessed to be where I am today. I have had the innate ability to design since I was a child. Curating, painting, and reorganizing my mother's home and my friend's homes from 9 years old. I was always an independent child by choice and by circumstance. I became a young mother as a teenager which forced me to grow up quickly. My son Gabriel has been such a blessing to me despite the growing pains of having a baby so young. Prior to my pregnancy I left middle school enrolling as a homeschool student. At 17 I started college. It was difficult having a young son and pursuing my dream, but once I entered into Interior Design classes I excelled. It is truly my passion to practice Interior Design. Before I graduated from ETSU, magna cum laude, I married and had my second baby, a little girl we named Luna. By my mid 20's I had two children, worked full time and was completing my bachelors degree. In my last year of college I got my first big design job. An expansive room addition and kitchen remodel. I had already been designing smaller kitchens and bathrooms but this was a real boon in my career. Life was starting to take shape. But plans rarely go as we had hoped. I graduated in 2008. As most of you know, it was a terrible year to be released into the workforce. On top of which I was newly divorced. Lots of change all at once! Over the next few years I gained extensive design knowledge by working in a tile store, high end furniture store then becoming a rep, taking on as territory lead of 7 states for a couture Italian Leather company. I was flown to Milan for training. that was a trip I will never forget! After gaining much knowledge and growth I was offered an exceptional job as a rep for an elite carpet and rug company. The work was demanding and I was on the road weekly, but I learned a lot about business and myself. Throughout my career shifts I was still designing for my hometown of Knoxville; a bank in Turkey Creek, a showhouse in Covered Bridge, three restaurants, a kitchen renovation in historic 4th and Gill, a mountain home, event center and more. I am proud that I was able to excel in numerous areas of my life, never giving up my dream of running my own Interior Design firm. It's truly incredible how much someone can accomplish if they really want to. I now own a home in West Hills, have an amazing boyfriend, Jordan, who is an exceptional ceramic artist, two wonderful kids that I am more than proud of and a Blue Heeler named Jules. Gabriel is currently in Tempe, Arizona starting training as a professional welder. My daughter, Luna who is 19 has begun her journey into jewelry design. She is an exceptional artist. Jordan has taken the leap, branching out to run his own ceramic art company, Butzine Ceramics. To date, we have collaborated on two designs and plan on many more. He has made custom beer mugs for a restaurant design and is creating custom knobs and pulls for a kitchen design. So when people ask, "Are you really lucky?" Yes, I am! I am healthy, supported, have a beautiful home, so many people who love me, and a big beautiful garden. I run an amazing company that I am proud of. I am thrilled to be an independent female entrepreneur. I thrive in design and feel the most satisfied when I make others lives better through well thought out curated spaces. I hope to learn your story soon. Blessings,Lucky