Meet Anna Caro of Hillsboro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Caro.

Anna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Tennessee and grew up in the Rocky Mountains – my parents met while working in Yellowstone National Park, so my childhood and early adult years were spent cultivating a deep appreciation for nature, and a heightened awareness of the challenges and opportunities ahead regarding conservation and sustainability.

As a child I loved the arts: music, theater, architecture, and fashion all appealed to me – especially the storytelling aspects of design and the ability to really nourish people and the planet with a bit of creativity and inspiration.

I moved to Nashville to be a musician, and after a bit of soul searching, I found my way to the interior design program at Watkins College. They offered a concentration in Sustainability and I was drawn to the immersive and inspiring artist collective that the school had cultivated for over 100 years in Nashville, where it began as a trade school.

I began to work in the field right away, and kept my focus on developing my knowledge of environmentally friendly design using evidence-based research and always looking for ways to improve upon my understanding of the topic. Eventually, I felt prepared to branch out on my own, so I founded MOTIV Interiors in 2016.

My firm specializes in environmentally friendly renovations and new construction projects – I use ethically sourced products, reclaimed and renewable materials, and support local trades and artists within the community. I love bringing my clients’ visions to life and creating highly customized environments that support them deeply and cultivate more flow, joy, and abundance in their lives!

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?
Beginning a new business is never a straightforward or a smooth and even journey! I’m grateful to have a truly supportive community around me that empowers me to take reasonable risks. I rely on collaborating with many different professionals and stay active within professional organizations that are relevant to my field. Having a strong support team has allowed me to grow at a sustainable rate and with clarity.

Having those connections and mentors available and knowing that I can reach out when issues arise makes all the difference in the amount of courage and confidence you have as a small business owner.

I really believe in cultivating a growth mindset – I love learning and expanding my knowledge and resources with every project. There are always new challenges and unexpected opportunities, but I welcome the growth and trust that develop out of overcoming each challenge. Designers love to problem-solve – it’s how we stay inspired!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m proud of the way my clients react when they experience the big reveal and really begin to settle in and live in their new environment. One of the key aspects of MOTIV Interiors that sets it apart from other firms is that we really take the time to listen to our clients, get to the heart of their life’s purpose and vision, and integrate mindful design solutions that are deeply nourishing and will make a truly lasting impact in their lives.

Most people don’t hire a designer with the expectation that major life shifts are about to happen for them – I’m proud to be a channel for healing and to provide that deep sense of fulfillment and comfort that my clients feel when they come home to their new space. When you empower someone to live at their full potential, beautiful transformations begin to happen!

It’s deeply gratifying to be able to help the environment and educate homeowners to make better choices along that journey. We all want to make our homes a lifelong sanctuary that is safe, welcoming, and nourishing, and leave behind a home that is pleasing for future generations as well.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
In business, there are always risks, but as long as you don’t bite off more than you can chew, a little bit of risk is necessary for growth.

Being a designer is all about empowering my clients to take risks! When I collaborate with homeowners, it’s my job to take their vision and use all of my tools, techniques, and design magic to push their ideas a little bit further than they thought possible. Once you develop an understanding of the rules and guidelines of design, its pure joy to bend those rules just enough to create an environment that takes their breath away and supports them deeply on a mind/body/soul level.

I especially love working with professional women who don’t have time to design their own space, but are deeply visionary and understand the value of hiring the right design professional to support them in their project. I get fired up when I’m co-creating powerful transformations for women in leadership roles because I know that it will affect everyone around them positively. We need strong leadership and that begins with a home they can call their sacred sanctuary.

Contact Info:

• Email: connect@motivinteriors.com
• Website: www.motivinteriors.com
• Instagram: @motivinteriors
• Facebook: @motivinteriors
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smartsustainablestyle

Image Credits
Paige Rumore Photography