Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Akers.
Hi Kristen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
First of all, My name is Kristen Akers. I am the owner and lead designer for Everyday Custom Interiors and the Facility Operator/ Client relations manager of my parents event venue, Tranquility Estate!
To start from the beginning, I was born into the housing/construction industry as a daughter to a custom home builder in Raleigh and Wilmington NC. I always had a blast in and out of offices before or after school and spent multiple Saturdays visiting job sites, meeting superintendents, real estate agents, and learning about the trades. However, I never thought I would grow up to be in design, remodeling, wedding coordinator, venue management, and countertops! If you asked me at 17 what I would be doing for a living I would have said sports medicine or nursing.
I moved away after high school taking nursing and phlebotomy classes, and of course, pre-rec classes striving to do what I thought I was interested in as I knew I loved helping people. Ultimately being 8 hours away in Kentucky made me homesick which didn’t make my path any easier. I eventually moved home and accepted a job based on my experience in administrative jobs for categories in and around the construction world. This job ended up being the beginning of my career in something I excelled at and loved! Granite, Marble, Quartz, etc.
I worked for a manufacturer, who imported large slabs from Brazil, India, China, and even as far as Madagascar. This supplier only sold to fabricators who cut the large slabs of stone into countertops. There I learned all different stone colors, about 400. It was crazy but I loved it! I created great friendships with co-workers and the people we sold to, becoming an in-house design specialist for our clients’ customers. When I reached a point where I wanted to grow my knowledge of the industry more I found myself working for a fabricator that I had previously sold to. One door opened, and fortunately so did a couple more when I went from working with homeowners to custom and large builders then eventually commercial clients as a division manager. I also was offered opportunities along the way to learn cabinets, tile, and more which I always jumped at the opportunity just to gain knowledge.
I eventually reached a point where I knew I could offer the public, the clients who followed and believed in me through my growth an even better experience if I went out on my own. I had been asked multiple times through the years why I didn’t but frankly, I was nervous. I finally fell into a working position right after the first couple of months in quarantine of Covid that just really showed me how ready I was to be a business owner. It was the absolute scariest and best decision I have made for my clients, family, mental health and so much more.
I love seeing the smile on my client’s faces when their remodel was exactly what they were imagining because I spend time on the details. My child smiles because I can be there for the sports practices and to see all the “firsts” which I would have missed otherwise. I’m 31 years young, now own Everyday Custom Interiors with 10 plus yrs of construction and remodeling experience and a huge LOVE for natural stone!
Parallel to my “Monday through Friday” Career. One set of parents inquired about a piece of property in our hometown close to family property and through covid, we decided to build a wedding venue using a historic home on the property and building a state-of-the-art reception hall/ Carriage house that shows our passion to make people happy. Modern, elegant, rustic, glam,includes views for miles and encompasses one of the highest elevations in Granville County! Tranquility Estate event venue in Oxford NC is my baby,we absolutely love it. I meet with every bride, groom, or corporate entity or their planners. I cover most of the communication and scheduling, set up for the day of, tours, and more. We accept everyone with open arms and truly enjoy getting to know them and their families. It is a family operation so you could also meet other family members throughout our process. Such as our accounting, grounds maintenance, or even a funny story from my dad. He has a real nack for making all fathers of the brides and grooms feel very comfortable and relaxed on wedding days which is always a nice bonus!
I usually get puzzled looks when I say home designer/remodeling rock nerd by day and venue manager, client coordinator, day of the planner by night not to mention full-time mom and wife! I’m really just out here striving to be the best person I can be all the time for my child, my husband, my parents, and myself. I want to make my mark on the world where I can and make sure they all have someone and something to be proud of.
Especially my child. You learn your work ethic from your parents. I see it all around me in many examples and forms. I want my child to know “you can do anything you put your heart and mind to” even if you hear a thousand, no’s or you’re an underdog in your profession. It shouldn’t deter you from your dreams, It’s what can set you apart.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being young, being a female in construction there are always Highs and Lows. (which I really have seen more and more women outside of just design lately and it feels good.) Some people in construction can be really weird, dishonest, flakey, no shows. I mean construction is such a melting pot of different characters, backgrounds, etc. That it’s hard for people to read quality contractors, sub-contractors, and vendors.
And unfortunately, they hurt the chances for those of us who are good so that’s an uphill battle. I don’t think anything is smooth and I don’t think you always have to struggle. I think it’s about how you handle things. Have I had bad days? Have I had good days? definitely! Obviously, the good days are more satisfying than the bad days are detrimental otherwise I wouldn’t have stayed on the same path.
As you know, we’re big fans of Everyday Custom Interiors/ Tranquility Estate. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Everyday Custom Interiors specializes in Granite, Marble, Quartzite and Quartz countertops! From basic to exotic stones. We also offer other remodeling needs such as design or collaborative design, tile, wallpaper, cabinets, cabinet painting, etc.
I would say what sets us apart is that I am extremely honest. Communication is everything. I have no problem Sitting down and explaining details to give the homeowner every chance to have it their way and to know exactly what is going on with their project. Unless they tell me they want me just to handle it. I can also offer online estimates where I can quote a lot of our services through photos or videos if owners are trying to keep a low traffic amount in their homes.
I can offer turn-key remodels with most services included or I can just do one specific service. Whereas some won’t do it if they aren’t doing all of it.
Our design is pretty unique in a North Carolina-type way. Crisp and clean with a vintage flair but wouldn’t consider it necessarily farm house. Even though I can put something together in any design from inspiration photos that our clients provide I really enjoy it when clients allow us to be creative.
We are currently doing a lot of wallpaper work! People are really just getting back into it and we are here for it! We love the versatility and all of the new patterns we are finding!
For Tranquility Estate. The grounds provide vast open spaces encompassing the highest elevation in Granville County. The space is absolutely second to none. Offering so many photography options that any bride’s photos could not be the exact same. It truly is a photography dream. We have a large historic home that acts as a bridal and groom’s suite. We have a climate-controlled reception hall with 6 extra large glass lifting doors for 360° views of the property, and a large stone fireplace loaded with details.
There are multiple outdoor ceremony locations on manicured lawns. We also have two large bodies of water equipped with large water features and one with a decent size dock for ceremonies. Located just 45 mins away from Raleigh and 30 minutes from Durham. Which is only a short distance from what Tranquility Estate has to offer. We have packages for everyone from small Intimate weddings to large events! We are family owned and operated and look forward to meeting our future couples.
What matters most to you?
I think what matters most is the quality of work I put into the world. I really strive to make sure our work is top-notch. I make sure to be very attentive to clients about their project or wedding/event. Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary and your wedding is one of the most special days of your life! I’m proud to be given the chance to enter their sacred space to help them love it even more the same goes for your wedding day.
I also feel that way about my builders. They trust me with their luxury custom homes to navigate on what will make their clients happy, and what product is quality so that when they place their name on it, it is also quality work, with quality details. You see this carried over in everything I do, It’s all in the details and quality work that we give.
Contact Info:
- Website: Everydaycustominteriors.com
- Instagram: Https://ww.instagram.com/everydaycustominteriors
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Everydaycustominteriors/
- Email: [email protected]
- Youtube: Tranquilityestatenc.com
- Yelp: https://m.facebook.com/Tranquility.Estate.NC
- SoundCloud: https://www.instagram.com/tranquility.estate.nc/
Image Credits
@marydaleyphotography
