success story

karen schmidt

HOMESTY LED INTE RIOR DES IGN Mooresville

“The time I spent at home with my kids when they were young was priceless,” she says. Watching Alan build his business from the ground up was also invaluable in the years ahead when Homestyled Interior Design was born. Karen appreciates that for everything there is a season, and now that the season has changed, she has more time to focus on her business.

Karen and her family have called Lake Norman home for the past 15 years. “We had outgrown our little home in Southern California, and a good friend who worked in NASCAR suggested we should check out Mooresville. We flew out to North Carolina on a weekend and bought a house!” Mooresville was the perfect small town to raise their four children: Austin, Tanner, Travis, and Lillie.

the Now! Embracing

“I’m my own enemy a nd m y own best fri e nd ,” says Karen Schmidt, owner of Homestyled Interior Design in Mooresville. She adds, “I know that I have to make the best decisions that will move my business in the right direction, which can be overwhelming sometimes, but I’m learning that I can’t let the fear of failure stop me from moving forward.”

Being a mom and starting a business is quite the challenge, and most find that the greatest obstacle in starting a new business is just that – getting started. “I finally realized,” Karen continues, “that I had to jump in with both feet and, thankfully, I’ve been earning a profit ever since.” She credits family support, time management, and discipline as the keys to her success. Karen’s true passion lies in transforming spaces from start to finish. “My favorite part is seeing the look on our client’s face when we reveal the new space,” she grins, “and it brings me so much joy!” Seeing that joy has kept her in the business of taking outdated spaces and breathing new life into them.

It all sparked 20 years ago. Karen and her husband, Alan, bought their first fixer-upper home when Karen was still in college. She enjoyed the process so much that it prompted her to change her major from communications to interior design. However, Homestyled Interior Design wasn’t to burgeon until their children were older. While Karen was home, she helped manage her husband’s landscape business, Greenway Lawn Management.

“I’m so proud of my family,” she says, with twinkling eyes. “I have four great kids and one amazing husband, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.” Alan inspires her daily with his support, advice, and work ethic. He is her biggest fan and believes in her even when she doubts herself. Karen knows that even though everything in the business depends on her, she in turn fully relies on God. “He has provided for me and my family in countless ways and has shown me that I am never alone.” w

with LKNw

Be SCENE with the staff of Lake Norman Woman or the magazine we create!

Art Director Chelsea Bren arranging a photoshoot for a cover article in 2019.

Our fearless leader, Dana, poses for the camera at a staff workshop/retreat.

LKNW’s Stephanie Sullivan and Jack Stevens with the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce.

cheese! Send or tag us in a photo of you with an issue of LKNW & see it here!

Editor Leslie Ogle with the April 2019 issue at her home in Delray Beach, Florida—Bloom Where You’re Planted!

LKNW’s Stephanie, Michele, and Chelsea enjoy some much-needed spa treatment.

LKN 5 An things woman should do in april

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15 3 Sunda y, April 4: Katherine M. Bray Women’s Leadership Conference This year’s conference “Women Making Change” features speakers, workshops, and conversations exploring 21st-century leadership and entrepreneurship. $25 / 9am-2pm Lily Gallery 405 N. Main St., Davidson More information: www.davidson.edu Sa turda y, April 11: Annual Latta Easter Egg Hunt Children ages one to ten hunt for eggs filled with treats and dozens of grand-prize eggs. Day includes photo opportunities with Baxter the Bunny, story-time, crafts, and farm animals. $8 / 10am-3pm Historic Latta Plantation 5225 Sample Rd., Huntersville More information: www.lattaplantation.org Sa turda y, April 25 – Sunda y, April 26: Davidson’s Art on the Green Enjoy art, live music, and food at this juried art festival featuring booths filled with top-quality art works from artists throughout the region. Free Admission / Times Vary Davidson Village Green 216 South Main St., Davidson More information: www.ci.davidson.nc.us Frida y, April 17-Sunda y, April 19: 26th Annual Loch Norman Highland Games Highland dancing, bagpipes, athletics, Kids’ Zone, merchants, hearth cooking, NC beer and wine, whiskey tastings, kilted running events, competitions and more. $8-$20 / Times Vary Historic Rural Hill 4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville More information: www.lochnorman.com

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Frida y, April 24-Sunda y, April 26: Lake Norman Hospice Regatta Festivities include a sailor social, refreshments after racing, an interfaith Memorial Moment, Saturday dinner and auction, and Sunday donation cookout. Registration Fees & Times Vary Lake Norman Yacht Club 297 Yacht Rd., Mooresville More information: www.lnyc.org

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