Meet Kandi Gavin | Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kandi Gavin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kandi, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I believe the most important factor behind my success is the fact that I stay completely true to who I am and I follow my intuition when it comes to my business. I believe you always feel when something is right and it is important to listen to those instincts when they come along. When you are truly authentic you become a magnet to the things meant for you in the universe.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I run a full-service interior design business. I help clients with everything from single room revamps to new builds. I’m most proud of the relationships I have built with my clients and the happiness and peace I have brought to their lives through their homes.

I’ve gotten to where I am today through amazing support systems, a lot of hard work, and uncomfortable professional growth. I can’t say it has been easy. When you decide later in life you are going to pursue something and leave behind comfort to do so, it can get really uncomfortable. Holding strong in what your intuition is telling you and not giving up on that, trusting in yourself and the process is how you overcome the challenges. I have learned that more than passion, you need the perseverance to make it as an entrepreneur.

Growing up I had a lot of insecurities about my personality. Was I too loud? Did I have too many opinions? Was I too much? As I got older I figured out that was what made me truly special and I learned to love all of those parts. I wanted to see that person in every aspect of my life including my home. It is my mission to help people find the best parts of themselves in their space. Through this process, people learn to love themselves and their spaces even more. Together we create a home with color and texture that is uniquely theirs.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Breakfast at Village Kitchen and Pie Shoppe in Carlsbad- The eggs florentine in AMAZING

Old Town Carlsbad/ Carlsbad Farmers Market. (love a local tea company-The Loose Leaf)

La Jolla Tide Pools

Hillcrest for the afternoon

Lunch at Goi Cuon- Vietnamese Rolls

Walk through Balboa Park -Listen to Euphoric Brass Band Play

Dinner and a show at Lips

Bier Garden Encinitas

Papagayao Carlsbad

Solana Beach Design District

Del Mar Dog Beach

Bike Rides to Tower 35 for sunset (Carlsbad State Beach)

Scripps Aquarium

San Diego Botanic Gardens

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I feel like this answer could involve so many people! My business is built on so many relationships that have helped create it, grow, and thrive. First, and most importantly, I want to thank my husband. Without his unwavering belief and support of me (even when I didn’t believe myself) I would not be where I am today. Secondly, I want to thank my mentor and the person that unearth my passion, Petra Rupp of Collected Co. She has been truly instrumental in helping me fine-tune my skills and a plethora of support. Finally, I want to thank my friend and branding manager Valerie Howard for being supportive and helping me figure out how to restart my business in a new city during a pandemic.

Website: www.kandigavindesign.com

Instagram: @KandiGavinDesign

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kandi-gavin-design-san-diego

Image Credits
Mikah Marie Photography