Today we’d like to introduce you to Luxury Sai.
Hello Luxury Sai, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Thank you for the opportunity.
I grew up in New York City’s Greenwich Village neighborhood where my mom frequently entertained in our home. I have always worked in media and entertainment and in 2015, I was offered the opportunity to serve as the President of the National Council of Women at the United Nations.
After the completion of my term, I earned my New York State real estate license and began working in Diplomat relocation. I added the state of New Jersey to my real estate credentials to increase local relocation opportunities in addition to the work I was doing globally.
During the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, I moved to North Carolina and added a North Carolina real estate license to my credentials.
In 2022, I decided to leave the real estate industry, and my Sotheby’s International Realty family; and follow my heart, skills, and passion as an Interior Designer. I specialized on the listing side during my work in real estate, where I honed my staging and home-styling aesthetic.
I officially launched my interior design firm Urban Cabana with a launch party on July 31, 2022, in Raleigh, North Carolina where I now proudly call home.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My primary struggle as a life-long entrepreneur has been bringing my audience along on my journey through different industries and projects. On August 20, 2021, my Facebook and Instagram accounts were hacked and FB sided with the hackers. I lost all of my contacts on both platforms, including my high school guidance counselor who I’ve been connecting on FB since 2007.
I mourned for almost a year, especially since I was cut off from friendships and other social connections during the pandemic.
Only recently have I decided to grow my audience and find my friends again. That was painful and still cuts when I think about it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE being an interior designer. I am a true creative at heart. Designing gives me the freedom to use color, texture, style, and culturally relevant themes in a way to create true art in my client’s homes and businesses.
I am known for using a lot of greenery and shades of green in my styling. This is in addition to creams, and various rose colorations; these colors are popularized in a bohemian aesthetic.
I am a 51-year-old African American life-stylist and designer, most people in my field are Caucasian and 15-20 years my junior, as popularized on many HGTV makeover shows. I get that a lot.
Many people believe interior designers are only for rich people and I have done projects for as little as $200. I love what I do so money flows easily to me. I listen to my clients, produce good work, and maintain relationships; which is the holy grail of being an entrepreneur.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love Raleigh because it has on average 213 sunny days per year! I come from one of the biggest and most populist cities in the world, and there is something special about Raleigh’s diversity, commitment to minority businesses and its inspirational and aspirational vibe.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.luxurysai.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxury_sai/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luxurysaiathome
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/luxury_sai
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@luxurysai
