Meet Sarina Steed: Designer & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Sarina, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success is to allow God to lead me and follow-through. “The follow-through is key! Everything I have ever done, made, or sold first came from a vision from God. I keep reminders on my weekly calendars to pray about everything first. When I start my projects, I have “pray first” literally written on my sewing machines. God truly leads me and is the most important factor behind my business. Once I have that vision, it is very important that I see it through and believe in it. I have put things off, I have had moments of fear but God has shown me if I stay true to myself and act on what he tells me I will be successful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always been a creative person from early childhood. I tell everyone never struggled with deciding a career path. I have been designing in some form or fashion since 6, because I started so young I am experienced in so many genres of design. I grew up sewing but I went to school for interior architecture. We had to take furniture design classes but I already knew how to sew so. reupholstery came a lot easier for me than my classmates. The challenge for me was picking which avenue I wanted to pursue, fashion design or interior design. The lesson I learned was I couldn’t stay away from either. So I do both! Understand that it is both my passion and my life story.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I will start by saying my best friend literally comes every month to visit, so she knows the city just as much as I do lol! I run 2 companies and work a full-time job- Monday through Thursday we would wake up enjoy a light breakfast and coffee and they would have to act as my assistant. They would help me source materials, pick up deliveries, possibly install and maybe offer insight on emails and calls. I would throw in a cool lunch spot for appreciation. Friday- I normally end my day pretty early on Fridays so I would have to take him/her to my favorite food spots like Taste Bar + Kitchen, Truluck’s… I love a good Velvet taco. All of my friends and family are big foodies A good Saturday morning run with Zone Fitness is always ideal. Sunday, I would like my house back lol! Sundays are my self-care day. I like to relax, take a long hot bath with wine listening to music or a good book and give myself a facial. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents bought me a sewing machine at the age of 10 and that was my introduction to design. I made linens for my parent’s home at 12. Won city competitions at 14 and an offer to FIDM at 16. I definitely wouldn’t be in design if it wasn’t for my mother’s style and my fathers’ physical creative abilities. My best friend Tavena, who has always been so supportive. She encourages me to go further and one of the first persons to encourage me to take risk and just do it. I have the best Houston “framily” as well, both personally and professionally. Moving to Houston 8 years ago was definitely one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I have been booked with projects and orders since I launched Crafty Steed and Sarina Nicole, LLC and 90% of my clientele and customers are due to word-of-mouth!

Website: craftysteed.com

Instagram: sarina.nicole/ craftysteed

Image Credits
Syed Taqi Abbas