October 7, 2025 • 30 mins
In this empowering episode of Call Me CEO, Camille sits down with Andrea Seymour—co-owner and CEO of Springdale Builders. Andrea shares her journey from leaving the corporate world to launching a thriving design and build company with her husband. What started as a bold pivot into unfamiliar territory quickly turned into a calling that Andrea was naturally built for.
Andrea opens up about her experience with the Tori Burch Foundation, how it transformed her mindset, and why imposter syndrome is simply a distraction from your true potential. Her biggest lesson? You don’t need a certain title, income level, or degree to chase your dreams—just the courage to follow your instincts.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why corporate experience can be a launchpad—not a life sentence
- How Andrea tapped into her natural strengths to build a business she loves
- The moment she stopped waiting for “permission” to go all in
- How being part of the Tori Burch Foundation changed her mindset
- Actionable advice to overcome imposter syndrome and lean into what lights you up
Resources:
- [Springdale Builders Website] (https://www.springdalecharlotte.com/ )
- Tori Burch Foundation
Connect with Andrea:
Instagram: @springdalebuilders
Connect with Camille:
Follow Camille on Instagram: www.instagram.com/CamilleWalker.co
Follow Call Me CEO on Instagram: www.instagram.com/callmeceopodcast
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Andrea (00:00):
Unfortunately, I didn't know anybody in this space that
I was like close enough with tohave those conversations with.
But I think that would be a bigpiece of advice that I have for
people starting out.
And it's something I'm alsovery passionate about is people
not having to make the mistakesother people have made before.
We need to collaborate more andbetter with each other to make
sure that we can kind ofeliminate that for people.
Camille (00:27):
So you want to make an impact.
You're thinking about startinga business, sharing your voice.
How do women do it that handlemotherhood, family, and still
chase after those dreams?
We'll listen each week as wedive into the stories of women
who know.
This is Call Me CEO.
Welcome back, everyone, to CallMe CEO.
(00:49):
This is your host, CamilleWalker, and today we are talking
about how to get out of yourown way with the idea that you
have to have a specialcertification to have permission
or even the ability to go afterthose things you really want to
do.
Today, our guest is AndreaSeymour, and she is the
co-founder and CEO of SpringdaleCustom Builders, which is a
(01:11):
custom design company forbuilding houses in the Greater
Charlotte, Carolina area.
I hope I said that right.
She is a native of Kalamazoo,Michigan, and has lived in
different countries likeScotland, Denmark, Norway, and
of course the United States.
And she has a degree and minorsboth in sociology and business,
(01:33):
but she has lots of backgroundalso in sales, corporate, and
hospitality.
With all of this together, sheand her husband created the best
dynamic team, where she, as thedesigner and he as the custom
builder, have created an amazingbusiness with their son as a
part of that story as well.
So we are so excited to diveinto this today.
(01:54):
Thank you so much, Rangera, forbeing here.
Andrea (01:56):
Thank you for having me.
Camille (01:58):
Yeah.
So tell us a little bit moreabout you.
I want to hear where you grewup.
I know it's Kalamazoo.
We talked about it a littlebit, but tell us how you went
from there to where you are nowand what journey brought you to
become a part of the designworld.
unknown (02:16):
Yeah.
Andrea (02:16):
So I was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan,
Southwest Michigan, right abouthere on the hand.
Um, and um grew growing up, Ijust want to grew up in a
wonderful place um with a greatfamily and a great, you know,
community.
And it was a really wonderfulplace to be, very small town,
one stoplight.
Um, not a lot going on,farmland for days.
(02:37):
Um, but you know, my familybuilt built homes as I was a
child.
And so um growing up around thebuilding industry was just
always naturally, I think, apart of who I was.
I was sweeping job sites when Iwas like five years old while
my parents were doing things onthe job site.
So um I think it was alwaysdeeply ingrained into me that I
(02:58):
would end up back here.
But um, you know, of course,life takes the path that it
takes.
And so after I graduated fromschool, I graduated with a
degree in tourism and travel.
Um, and so I went intohospitality for several years
and that was wonderful, butit's, you know, pretty
unforgiving as far as a careerpath goes.
Working 85 hours a week, prettymuch seven days a week.
(03:19):
Um, it's a lot.
So I decided that that wasn'twhat I wanted my life to look
like anymore.
Um, and so I went into acompletely different line of
work in corporate sales, andthat was wonderful.
I was very successful in thatspace, um, but it was not
feeding me um or my soul.
So after five years in that, Idecided um to leave that and go
(03:41):
after what I was passionateabout.
Um and I did it in tandem withmy husband, which has been
really fun.
Um, and we built SpringdaleCustom Builders, where we
brought my passion side projectof design business together with
his um building firm and madeSpringdale Custom Builders.
Camille (03:57):
That's amazing.
So you have been in businesstogether for 10 years.
And you had mentionedpreviously that it was something
where you both had your ownbusinesses, but you decided to
bring it together.
What did that look like?
How did you decide that waswhat you're going to do?
And how did you get intodesign?
Because obviously, yourbackground with being in
(04:18):
tourism, travel, hospitality,that's a little bit left field,
but maybe went back to thoseroots of, like you said, your
family business.
So, how did you come to thatplace?
Andrea (04:29):
Yeah, I started doing it because my friends would come
over and they liked my house.
Um, they liked what I had donewith my space.
And so, hey, will you do thisroom for me?
Will you do this room for me?
And oh, if you do this, I'll dothis for you.
You know, it's just kind oflike a friend, you know, trade
type thing.
And then they started referringme to like their friends.
Um, and then, you know, myhusband's building builder firm
(04:52):
at the time, you know, a clientstarted asking me to design
their spaces.
And I was like, well, I'm notgonna just keep doing this for
fun or trade if I'm, you know,actually good at it.
So um we decided when I left mycorporate career that we would
merge our two businessestogether, which was very hard
for me as a very independentwoman.
I really wanted to have my ownbusiness, but it really just
(05:14):
made the most sense to do ittogether.
Um, and it's truly the bestthing we've ever done.
But it was really hard to giveup like my LLC um and just and
make it ours.
Um, but I'm glad I did.
I'm so glad that I did.
It's been a reallytransformational move for me,
for our family.
Um, and we're really happy withthe choice that we made.
Camille (05:34):
Yeah, that's cool.
So take me back a little bitwith the friends that we're
coming to, because I think thisis a situation we get in a lot
of times where there's somethingthat naturally pulls from us
that we maybe have a naturalaffinity for, or people see it
and recognize it and ask usquestions.
How did you start charging?
Because that is a question Iget from people I coach all the
(05:57):
time.
People ask me for this, theywant this service, they want
this, whatever product orservice is.
What do I charge?
And how do you know how to makeit so that you stay
competitive, but that it's alsoa business?
Like, talk me through some ofthat.
Andrea (06:12):
Yeah, it was really hard in the beginning.
It was do I do this hourly ordo I do it as a project fee?
Or, you know, and it washarder, I think, when I was just
doing design and not when itwas a design build firm.
Like now we have like a really,really solid structure in
place.
But back then, and when I wasdoing it on the side and it was
a passion project, it was like,oh, I'll just charge you X.
(06:33):
And then I was like spendingtremendous amount of hours
putting this like great designtogether.
And I would look back and say,oh my gosh, I just paid like
$200 an hour.
Like that makes no sense.
So, you know, just figuring outwhat that looked like, but it's
one of those things where youhave to kind of go through it
and figure it out.
And um, unfortunately, I didn'tknow anybody in this space that
(06:54):
I was like close enough with tohave those conversations with.
But I think that would be a bigpiece of advice that I have for
people starting out.
And it's something I'm alsovery passionate about is people
not having to make the mistakesthat other people have made
before.
Like, yeah, we need tocollaborate more and better with
each other to make sure that wecan kind of eliminate that for
people.
Um, and so it was trial anderror, but eventually we got
(07:17):
there.
Um, and then in 2022, we werenamed the fourth fastest growing
privately held company inCharlotte, North Carolina, which
was just very exciting and veryvalidating, you know, as a
business owner.
And as a small business, it canbe really hard to feel worthy
and you know, accomplished.
But that was a really bigmilestone for us.
Camille (07:37):
That's huge.
So, how did you go?
I mean, growing with thatmilestone or that pace, what do
you think contributed to thatsuccess?
Andrea (07:46):
Oh, grit.
Just grit, honestly.
Like getting up every day anddoing it no matter what, whether
you felt like it or not,whether you were tired or not.
Um, it's different, I think,when the both spouses are in the
same business because there isno backup plan.
There's not a spouse who's gota really solid corporate career
with benefits and vacation timeand all this, and then the other
(08:09):
spouse gets to just, you know,have their business.
Not that it's easy ever, butwhen you're both in it and it's
all you've got, you don't have achoice.
Stay on rare.
Yeah.
The stakes are very high.
Um, but I think it's one of thethings that's aligned my
husband and I so much over theyears is that like failing's not
an option.
So you just go, even when it'sreally hard, you just do it.
Camille (08:31):
Yeah.
With I mean, you're almost 10years in at this point.
Do you feel like you haveboundaries put in place for
family and business?
Because I would imagine in thebeginning, it's everything all
the time.
And then eventually you'relike, oh, wait, we got to figure
this out.
Like, how did you go from maybethe beginning stages of that
(08:52):
and then figure out whatboundaries you needed to put in
place working as a marriedcouple for family life,
business?
Andrea (09:00):
Yeah.
So that's really important thatthat had to happen pretty quick
because it was.
It was a 24-7 endless loop fora while there.
And we started out in our homeoffice.
So it was like, as I said topeople, like there was no
separation of church and stateat that point.
Like it would all in all thetime.
And so we decided we needed toget an office outside of the
house.
So that was like step numberone.
(09:21):
We got an office.
Um, after that, we really hadto set some boundaries in place.
Like, we're not going to talkabout this.
If one of us is not in the mindspace to talk about it, like
it's just a non-starter.
You know, if it's an eveningand one of us really wants to
talk about something, but theother doesn't table it till
tomorrow.
Um, and I think I'm a littleolder than my husband.
So it's like I've been througha little bit more as far as like
(09:44):
corporate life and all of thatgoes.
And so I just am a little, Ihave a little bit easier time, I
think, setting thoseboundaries.
He's he could work 24 hours aday still.
And I love that for him.
I just can't anymore.
I did that for a very long timeand I just can't anymore.
Um, and so, you know, he knowsthat like I if I'm not in the
space to talk about it, likejust don't.
(10:06):
Like it's we'll talk about itin the morning.
We'll be here at eight o'clockthe next day.
It's fine.
Um, also, even just likeschedule sending emails even to
each other, like so that theother person isn't getting
inundated all the time is reallyhelpful.
Camille (10:19):
Oh, that's a good idea.
Do you mean like at a stablefrequency that isn't like one
question emails?
So you like save it or morejust at times that are
appropriate.
Andrea (10:31):
Oh, which I know, okay.
Like times away.
Yeah.
But like if one of us decides,like last night we were both
working till almost midnight,which is this so this is a
really bad example because we'rebuilding a different business
right now on the side as well.
But um sometimes like he'llwork till 11 o'clock at night or
I'll work till late, you know,and the other one's not.
Like the other one's trying towind down and going to bed.
(10:52):
Like schedule setting theemails for the next morning at
eight o'clock.
That way my phone's not goingoff or his phone's not going off
while you're trying to rest.
Uh, and being respectful inthat way.
Camille (11:02):
That's good advice because the entrepreneurial way
is if you especially if you'reexcited about something, it's
hard to turn the button offwhere you're like, okay, we need
a minute.
Let's create a space for this.
Do you feel like that'ssomething that with your example
and your experience of having,because that's something you've
talked about of experiencingburnout in in corporate.
(11:23):
Do you feel like that was alesson you learned then?
Andrea (11:26):
It is.
I think after my hospitalitycareer, I mean, that was really
hard.
I was working 85 hours a week,you know, for years.
And it was in hotels.
So they're open 24 hours a day,seven days a week, 365 days a
year.
There's no break.
So even if you're not there,the business is still going at
full speed.
Um, and so that was a reallygood um lesson for me in like
(11:50):
this isn't what I want my lifeto look like forever.
And so when I left that careerand went into sales, I defined
some really hard boundariesearly, which was really hard for
me because I was used tovirtually no boundaries.
Um, and so it was like, I'mgoing to walk out of this
building and take lunch everyday.
I'm going to leave, you know,five o'clock-ish.
Sometimes I worked late, butyou know, as a general rule, you
(12:13):
know, um, not gonna work everyweekend, you know, I had to, I
had to completely reconfigure mylife.
I I had no control when I wasin hospitality.
And so I had to really take areally hard look at what I
wanted it to look like andchange that.
So it was a good stepping stoneum between a really chaotic,
(12:33):
erratic career and somethingthat I was more in control of.
Camille (12:39):
Thank you for tuning in to this episode.
I wanted to pop in and let youknow that I am creating a
seven-week cohort called the CEOMindset for entrepreneurs just
like you who are looking toclaim the title of CEO and to
set up systems and maybe evensupport in your business that
you're needing more help with.
This is something that is veryintimate.
(13:01):
It's a small group.
And if you are interested inbuilding and having that
coaching of how to build a team,how to replace yourself so that
you are not doing all themini-to-dos and you're making
more time for your life, pleaseemail me at callmeceopodcast at
gmail.com, or you can DM me atcallme CEO Podcast or
(13:24):
CamilleWalker.co.
I am cheering you on and Iwould love to have you be a part
of our CEO mindset cohort.
Yeah, I mean, but that'swisdom, right?
It's going through it andlearning, okay, what do I not
want viving forward?
And what can I bring in?
Do you have a routine?
I I love asking this questionto entrepreneurs because
(13:47):
depending on where you are, andyou said you're now building
something new, which doesn'tsurprise me, that's so fun.
Uh, but do you have things inplace for you where you like to
wind down, or maybe like morningor evening rituals or times
that you that have really helpedyou to keep that sanity?
Andrea (14:04):
Yeah, I do actually.
I um in the mornings, I listento two podcasts every day, um,
on my way to work, news, both ofthem.
Um, but I do that first thingin the morning.
It's kind of how I get my braingoing.
Um and then when I leave work,I have a different set of
listening that I go into on mydrive home.
(14:25):
So whether it's an audiobook,which is always fiction.
I am a fiction reader throughand through because I have to
check out somewhere.
Yeah.
Um fiction or podcasts that aremore fun, like New Heights or,
you know, Amy Polar or justsomething that's just like
completely, you know, fluff andconsequential.
Camille (14:45):
Yeah.
Andrea (14:45):
Yeah.
You can just breathe and laugh.
Camille (14:48):
Yes, yes.
I love that.
What are your news podcaststhat you like?
Andrea (14:52):
Um, I really like Morning Joe.
Um, I think that one's reallygood.
And then I like um I hit newsas well.
They're funny.
Okay.
I hit moose.
News.
Oh, news.
Yeah.
It's two women from Oklahomaand they're a riot.
Oh, perfect.
That's fun.
Yeah.
All right.
Camille (15:12):
I like that.
Andrea (15:12):
So with people like up first uh with uh NPR.
Camille (15:16):
That's another really good.
Oh, I know that one.
Yeah.
That's I like that a lot.
Because it's it got it getslike those top hits of what you
um what you should know, whichright now there's unfortunately
way too much to keep too much,try to keep track of are too
overwhelming.
Yeah.
For you and your husband, whatare some things that you like to
do together to wind down andhave your time as a couple?
Andrea (15:39):
We love to travel.
Um, and that that time isreally important for us because
the the three of us are myhusband's son and I are really
close.
And so, you know, having thattime to like get away from
everything and connect becausewe are just doers, like we are
always going hard.
Like, no matter if we're athome or at work, like we're
doing something.
Like there's never not aproject or you know, something
(16:00):
going on.
So I take us out of the countryas much as okay.
Camille (16:04):
Oh, girl, totally you're speaking my language.
That is my favorite time.
And I tell any, so I've beenmarried almost 21 years.
And I tell anyone that I talkto, newlywed, whoever, that
especially when kids come intothe story, it is so important to
take time for the two of youalone.
And I know that it's hard toget daycare or to have that
(16:26):
provided.
And we are fortunate in havingfamily around that we have had
help with that.
But that has been a stay forour marriage that is has kept
us.
It's like we're differentpeople.
I call my husband Vacation Paulwhen we go.
I'm like, I really missvacation paul.
Can we go?
Oh, and I just love it so much.
But yeah, traveling with mykids too.
(16:46):
They say that you creatememories differently when you're
having a novel experience orsomething that is out of your
normal routine.
And I feel like those are thethings that our kids will
remember is how having thosemoments, those memories, but
also understanding um even thehard things.
When you travel, it's notalways perfect.
Thing, things happen, you missthe plane, whatever.
(17:07):
We have best of plane.
And it you it's almost alwaysthose times when things go wrong
that the kids look back andlaugh and they're like, remember
that and remember this.
And it cements that thatbonding of what we did and how
we did it together and how wemade it through together.
So I love that you do thatbecause obviously you love it
(17:28):
too.
Cause that's like what you wentinto.
So yeah, I totally agree withthat.
Andrea (17:33):
Yeah, we take our son everywhere.
Like people are always like,Why are you taking him again?
And I'm like, Yeah, I love him.
Like, not that I don't not thatit's that good for you know,
Brian and I to just go byourselves.
Um, we don't do it enough,honestly.
We need to do better at that.
Even if we can we even if wecan get it in.
Yeah, yeah.
Well, we're really lucky too.
My mom lives like five minutesfrom us, and she and my son have
(17:53):
a super special bond.
Oh, and so they spend timetogether, like, you know,
sporadically, like throughoutthe week or whatever.
So we get a lot of like littlebreaks like that too.
So we're not like desperate forthe break usually either.
Like we're really lucky thatway because we have that like
and we always know that reliefelve is there if we need it.
So lucky.
Um, so yeah, it's it's not asurgent usually, but yeah, we we
(18:19):
love taking him places and heloves them.
I love that.
And I think it's you know,travel, you just learn, like you
said, you learn so much.
And it's so fun for me to watchhim because he's been going out
of the country since he waslike three.
And so watching him and likethe way he interacts with people
and the relationships that hebuilds with people in other
places.
Like we went to Anguilla lastweek again for the second time,
(18:42):
and like one of our food serverswas the same, and he likes
hugging her and like you missher, and the kids' club director
was the same, and he samething, like just like hugging
her and missed her.
It was just like so sweet tosee like him forming outside
bonds, also.
So I just think it's reallyimportant and special for him to
know what's going on outside ofthese four walls of the United
(19:03):
States of America.
Camille (19:04):
Absolutely.
You know, I'm sure with uhbeing an only, I feel like they
develop adult-likecharacteristics earlier than
kids that aren't only's becausethey interact so much more with
adults and they're just, I don'tknow, I think that's a
worldwide education.
It's invaluable.
That's awesome.
Yeah, definitely.
Very, very cool.
Okay, so one thing that Iwanted to make sure we talked
(19:27):
about is imposter syndrome.
This is something that is veryimportant to you that you feel
like, especially women, need todiscuss and get over and to
approach it with a differentmindset.
So I would love to hear whatyou have to share about that in
also how that helped you withbuilding this business that
(19:47):
you've built with your husband.
Andrea (19:49):
Yeah, I think that, you know, when I think about
imposter syndrome and I thinkabout women in business,
especially when they're tryingto build something, I think that
it's really easy to get caughtup in, well, I should wait until
I have this degree, or I shouldwait until I have the
certification, or I should waituntil I accomplish this much
revenue, or I should, you know,X, Y, Z.
(20:12):
I mean, fill in the blank,right?
Um, but I find that it is socounterproductive to becoming
your best self and reallyblossoming into what you your
full potential is.
And I think that it's a cyclethat women get caught up in so
easily because we feel like weneed to have every qualification
and we need to know everythingbefore we walk into the room and
(20:32):
we have to be the expert in thefield.
And sometimes it's okay to leadwith your passion and in a
responsible way, of course.
But you know, when you knowwhat you're doing and you know
what you're talking about andyou are good at what you do, if
you don't have the degree or thecertification, that doesn't
mean that you're not qualifiedto do the thing.
Absolutely.
I always love a collegeeducation, but I yeah, but
(20:53):
it'sn't that how it goes?
Camille (20:56):
Like we were talking about our life stories and how
you may be called to one thingin that in a season, and that
doesn't mean that it can'tchange and that you don't have
the ability to grow and learnand and to chase something
different.
And I love that about yourstory that it's that you have
chased your passion and comeback to designing because you're
naturally so good at it.
And I think sometimes we don'teven see that until someone
(21:19):
holds a mirror up to us andsays, you know, you're pretty
good at this.
Like, what are we doing?
Why are we not?
I need your help, you know.
Um, you are part of the ToryBirch Foundation.
Tell me what that means and howdoes that apply to this
understanding of you gettingover that imposter syndrome?
Andrea (21:39):
Yeah, uh, I just got chills again.
I it doesn't matter how manytimes I talk about hear someone
say that, being a part of theTory Birch Foundation is just a
huge honor.
Each year, 50 women areessentially brought into the
foundation through an arduousapplication process um and
several months of interviews,background checks, all the all
the things um to make sure thatyou're fully vetted and the
(22:03):
right fit for the foundation,also.
Um, and uh I was admitted intothe class of 2023, and it is
truly one of the biggest honorsof my life to be a part of it,
um, to be able to learn fromTori and the president of the
foundation is Tiffany Dufu.
She's an incredible woman, andeveryone who works for the
foundation is just amazing.
(22:23):
Um, to be able to just be apart of their world and learn
from them and grow with them.
It's a year-long fellowshipinitially that you go through
and you take an assortment ofdifferent classes.
It's almost like getting amaster's degree in a year,
basically.
Camille (22:38):
But and you don't pay for it, but you have to apply
for it.
Andrea (22:40):
Is that right?
You apply for it.
She actually gives you money.
So it's pretty cool.
Camille (22:44):
Okay, cool.
Andrea (22:45):
Um, you apply for it, and then you are in in the, you
know, in the fellowship for theyear, and that's you know, they
pay for all the classes and allof the, you know, they help you
build a pitch deck and like allof these things that they pour a
ton of money into this, andthen they give you $5,000 for
continuing education, which ispretty incredible.
Um, and then they bring it inNew York City to her
headquarters for a week at thevery end and continue to learn
(23:08):
and grow and all of that.
And I was really lucky.
Um, I still pinch myself againin another way.
Um, I was assigned her brotherto be my advisor.
Um, and he is the chief legalcounsel for the whole Torrey
Birch LLC and the president ofthe Tory Birch Foundation, and
he's just an incredible person,also.
And so um, I've just beenreally fortunate to, you know,
(23:29):
get to be in their, you know,bubble and see what it's like
and in that world.
Camille (23:35):
Yeah.
Andrea (23:35):
Yeah.
And so to meet them and knowthem, and they're such humble
people and they're so curiousand so genuine.
It's, you know, I think whenyou meet like your hero, like
she was always like, I wasalways like, oh my God, like her
clothes, her shoes, hereverything, you know, curses,
all of it.
Since I was, I don't even know,20 years old.
I've been obsessed, right?
Um, but then you just you neverknow what this person's gonna
(23:58):
be like.
And I don't think I everthought I would meet her, of
course.
Um, but then I did.
And she's so kind and she's sohumble.
And like she was asking meabout what I feel about working
with my husband because sheworks with her husband, and you
know, she wanted to know aboutmy son.
And it's like she's a big deal,and so for her to care, you
know, and and want to sit andhave that conversation with me
(24:19):
was really neat.
Camille (24:20):
Oh, that is so cool.
And she spoke to this, right?
Didn't she about impostersyndrome and what did she
choose?
Andrea (24:27):
She did, she did.
She was highly aspirational forme in this because I think I
always had like a little nag ofthat in the back of my brain,
you know, that like, oh, you'renot a trained interior designer,
like that's not what you wentto school for.
And I so I think it was alwaysjust kind of there.
Um, but one day she was talkingto us and she said that
imposter syndrome was one of thethings that was really hard for
(24:47):
her and her business.
And I was like, I'm sorry,what?
You like you have impostersyndrome of all the people in
this world, you know?
How?
How?
So I'm thinking to myself, ifTori Birch had an imposter
syndrome, what are we doing?
You know, like it was like thisaha moment for me where I was
like, what are we doing?
Like we all need to just stop,like full stop.
(25:09):
This is not healthy, it's notproductive.
So lean into what you'repassionate about, lean into your
zone of genius, be your bestself.
And you can do that.
Camille (25:18):
Oh, that is so good.
So good.
Tell so tell our audience wherethey can learn more about you,
your business, and you offerdesign services, but obviously
you can't help someone build ahome unless they're in the
Carolina area.
Charlotte or Carolina, yeah.
Andrea (25:35):
Yeah, we're Charlotte, North Carolina is where we um
build.
Um, and we're expanding intoBeaufort, South Carolina here
soon.
Um, so we'll be in bothCarolinas now or state.
Yes, we're very excited aboutthat.
Um, but yes, we can do designservices virtually anywhere.
So that's something that we're,you know, happy to travel for
um or do virtually um forpeople.
Camille (25:56):
That's awesome.
Okay, so I ask all of my gueststhese two questions.
And the first is what are youreading, watching, or listening
to?
And you can tell me just one ofthe three, or you can tell me
one of every all three.
And then the second is amotherhood moment that you would
want to share that could beanything.
It could be funny,heartwarming, whatever comes to
(26:20):
mind.
Oh goodness.
You already shared with ussomething listening to.
Andrea (26:27):
So we just reading on totally fiction, like I said.
I I check out with reading.
Camille (26:33):
You have a favorite author or book?
Andrea (26:36):
I have a lot of favorite authors.
I like um Colleen Hoover, Ilike Lucy Spohr, I like those
types of books.
They're just like a mental, youknow, yeah, checkout.
I think last year, I I think Iread like 60 books last year.
Um, and this year I think I'vealready read like 45.
And do you do audio orphysical?
I do both.
But my Kindle is always in mybag.
(26:57):
Like no matter where I go, it'salways with me.
So like if I have five minutesat the doctor's office while I'm
waiting, I'm always reading.
Ask my husband's often isjealous of my Kindle.
Um, so that's what I'm reading.
Um, what I'm listening to, Ikind of share those podcasts
that I listen to, but I also dolisten to a lot of audiobooks.
I love audiobooks.
They're I think they're so goodto just immerse yourself in.
(27:21):
And then when I'm watching,I've really stopped watching a
lot of shows in the last fewyears because I read so much.
I used to watch a ton ofseries, like absolutely loved
it.
But I did start listening againthe other day to The Summer I
Turned Pretty, just a totalcheckout, you know.
I read them.
Yeah, they're so good.
July 15th, season three comesout.
(27:41):
That was why I started readingit and sound like I just want to
like refresher.
Yeah.
Um, and so yeah, I'm excited towatch that again.
And I know that the um I thinkthe Crave series, which is like
a vampire fantasy series, that'sgetting turned into a show as
well as one of the otherfantasies series that I really
(28:02):
like.
So I'm looking forward to that.
Very cool.
Yeah.
Camille (28:06):
So motherhood moment.
Andrea (28:08):
Oh, motherhood moment.
I think just sharing the travelwith my son.
I think no matter where it is,it's just important to do that.
And you know, just buildingthat relationship with him
constantly.
You know, right now he wants tomarry me.
So I'm gonna ride that train aslong as he will make it.
Ride that train.
Yeah, he'll come train and say,marry me.
And I'm like, yes, yes, rightnow a thousand times yes.
(28:30):
Cute.
Camille (28:32):
Oh, that's the best.
Andrea (28:33):
Yeah.
And so just sharing thosespecial moments and keeping them
close because they're just notlittle for very long.
It happens so fast.
Camille (28:40):
If you could tell yourself, uh someone that's
listening and looks at yourstory and how inspiring it is
and how you've grown this hugebusiness, what would be your
piece of advice for them with uhcreating a balance for uh
motherhood and business?
Andrea (28:59):
Well, uh I think two things.
I think uh you need to makesure that you're uh fulfilling
yourself in both ways.
I think that if you have a needto, if you want to work and you
want to build a business, likeyou need to do that.
Because if you're not uh doingwhat feeds your soul, then
you're gonna be having regretsprobably later.
And that may be being astay-at-home mom, that may be
being a business owner, youknow, whatever that is for you,
(29:20):
like do that.
Um I think the I think balanceis a little bit of a fallacy
because I think that it's justreally impossible to achieve it.
Um, but I think just do thebest you can every day and try
to stay true to your, you know,guiding beliefs.
And I think that'll take you along life.
Camille (29:36):
Boom.
That's how it's done.
I love it.
Andrea, this has been so good.
Thank you so much for comingand sharing.
And please tell our audiencewhere they can find you online.
Andrea (29:46):
Oh, right.
Yeah, my website iswww.springdalecharlot.com and
we're on Instagram at SpringdaleCustom Builders.
Camille (29:54):
Awesome.
Well, I'm gonna be looking thatup, and her designs are
gorgeous.
So I may not be moving toCharlotte.
That you're going to be gettingthe call.
Awesome.
I'd be honored.
Thank you so much.
Thank you everyone for tuninginto today's episode.
If you haven't had the chanceyet, please subscribe and leave
a rating and review on thepodcast.
That is what helps people tofind our show when they're
(30:16):
looking for inspiration,especially for women and mothers
building businesses.
We want everyone to know thatthey are capable and that there
is so much out there waiting forthem.
Thank you for tuning in.
We'll see you next time.
Unfortunately, I didn't know anybody in this space that
I was like close enough with tohave those conversations with.
But I think that would be a bigpiece of advice that I have for
people starting out.
And it's something I'm alsovery passionate about is people
not having to make the mistakesother people have made before.
We need to collaborate more andbetter with each other to make
sure that we can kind ofeliminate that for people.
Camille (00:27):
So you want to make an impact.
You're thinking about startinga business, sharing your voice.
How do women do it that handlemotherhood, family, and still
chase after those dreams?
We'll listen each week as wedive into the stories of women
who know.
This is Call Me CEO.
Welcome back, everyone, to CallMe CEO.
(00:49):
This is your host, CamilleWalker, and today we are talking
about how to get out of yourown way with the idea that you
have to have a specialcertification to have permission
or even the ability to go afterthose things you really want to
do.
Today, our guest is AndreaSeymour, and she is the
co-founder and CEO of SpringdaleCustom Builders, which is a
(01:11):
custom design company forbuilding houses in the Greater
Charlotte, Carolina area.
I hope I said that right.
She is a native of Kalamazoo,Michigan, and has lived in
different countries likeScotland, Denmark, Norway, and
of course the United States.
And she has a degree and minorsboth in sociology and business,
(01:33):
but she has lots of backgroundalso in sales, corporate, and
hospitality.
With all of this together, sheand her husband created the best
dynamic team, where she, as thedesigner and he as the custom
builder, have created an amazingbusiness with their son as a
part of that story as well.
So we are so excited to diveinto this today.
(01:54):
Thank you so much, Rangera, forbeing here.
Andrea (01:56):
Thank you for having me.
Camille (01:58):
Yeah.
So tell us a little bit moreabout you.
I want to hear where you grewup.
I know it's Kalamazoo.
We talked about it a littlebit, but tell us how you went
from there to where you are nowand what journey brought you to
become a part of the designworld.
unknown (02:16):
Yeah.
Andrea (02:16):
So I was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan,
Southwest Michigan, right abouthere on the hand.
Um, and um grew growing up, Ijust want to grew up in a
wonderful place um with a greatfamily and a great, you know,
community.
And it was a really wonderfulplace to be, very small town,
one stoplight.
Um, not a lot going on,farmland for days.
(02:37):
Um, but you know, my familybuilt built homes as I was a
child.
And so um growing up around thebuilding industry was just
always naturally, I think, apart of who I was.
I was sweeping job sites when Iwas like five years old while
my parents were doing things onthe job site.
So um I think it was alwaysdeeply ingrained into me that I
(02:58):
would end up back here.
But um, you know, of course,life takes the path that it
takes.
And so after I graduated fromschool, I graduated with a
degree in tourism and travel.
Um, and so I went intohospitality for several years
and that was wonderful, butit's, you know, pretty
unforgiving as far as a careerpath goes.
Working 85 hours a week, prettymuch seven days a week.
(03:19):
Um, it's a lot.
So I decided that that wasn'twhat I wanted my life to look
like anymore.
Um, and so I went into acompletely different line of
work in corporate sales, andthat was wonderful.
I was very successful in thatspace, um, but it was not
feeding me um or my soul.
So after five years in that, Idecided um to leave that and go
(03:41):
after what I was passionateabout.
Um and I did it in tandem withmy husband, which has been
really fun.
Um, and we built SpringdaleCustom Builders, where we
brought my passion side projectof design business together with
his um building firm and madeSpringdale Custom Builders.
Camille (03:57):
That's amazing.
So you have been in businesstogether for 10 years.
And you had mentionedpreviously that it was something
where you both had your ownbusinesses, but you decided to
bring it together.
What did that look like?
How did you decide that waswhat you're going to do?
And how did you get intodesign?
Because obviously, yourbackground with being in
(04:18):
tourism, travel, hospitality,that's a little bit left field,
but maybe went back to thoseroots of, like you said, your
family business.
So, how did you come to thatplace?
Andrea (04:29):
Yeah, I started doing it because my friends would come
over and they liked my house.
Um, they liked what I had donewith my space.
And so, hey, will you do thisroom for me?
Will you do this room for me?
And oh, if you do this, I'll dothis for you.
You know, it's just kind oflike a friend, you know, trade
type thing.
And then they started referringme to like their friends.
Um, and then, you know, myhusband's building builder firm
(04:52):
at the time, you know, a clientstarted asking me to design
their spaces.
And I was like, well, I'm notgonna just keep doing this for
fun or trade if I'm, you know,actually good at it.
So um we decided when I left mycorporate career that we would
merge our two businessestogether, which was very hard
for me as a very independentwoman.
I really wanted to have my ownbusiness, but it really just
(05:14):
made the most sense to do ittogether.
Um, and it's truly the bestthing we've ever done.
But it was really hard to giveup like my LLC um and just and
make it ours.
Um, but I'm glad I did.
I'm so glad that I did.
It's been a reallytransformational move for me,
for our family.
Um, and we're really happy withthe choice that we made.
Camille (05:34):
Yeah, that's cool.
So take me back a little bitwith the friends that we're
coming to, because I think thisis a situation we get in a lot
of times where there's somethingthat naturally pulls from us
that we maybe have a naturalaffinity for, or people see it
and recognize it and ask usquestions.
How did you start charging?
Because that is a question Iget from people I coach all the
(05:57):
time.
People ask me for this, theywant this service, they want
this, whatever product orservice is.
What do I charge?
And how do you know how to makeit so that you stay
competitive, but that it's alsoa business?
Like, talk me through some ofthat.
Andrea (06:12):
Yeah, it was really hard in the beginning.
It was do I do this hourly ordo I do it as a project fee?
Or, you know, and it washarder, I think, when I was just
doing design and not when itwas a design build firm.
Like now we have like a really,really solid structure in
place.
But back then, and when I wasdoing it on the side and it was
a passion project, it was like,oh, I'll just charge you X.
(06:33):
And then I was like spendingtremendous amount of hours
putting this like great designtogether.
And I would look back and say,oh my gosh, I just paid like
$200 an hour.
Like that makes no sense.
So, you know, just figuring outwhat that looked like, but it's
one of those things where youhave to kind of go through it
and figure it out.
And um, unfortunately, I didn'tknow anybody in this space that
(06:54):
I was like close enough with tohave those conversations with.
But I think that would be a bigpiece of advice that I have for
people starting out.
And it's something I'm alsovery passionate about is people
not having to make the mistakesthat other people have made
before.
Like, yeah, we need tocollaborate more and better with
each other to make sure that wecan kind of eliminate that for
people.
Um, and so it was trial anderror, but eventually we got
(07:17):
there.
Um, and then in 2022, we werenamed the fourth fastest growing
privately held company inCharlotte, North Carolina, which
was just very exciting and veryvalidating, you know, as a
business owner.
And as a small business, it canbe really hard to feel worthy
and you know, accomplished.
But that was a really bigmilestone for us.
Camille (07:37):
That's huge.
So, how did you go?
I mean, growing with thatmilestone or that pace, what do
you think contributed to thatsuccess?
Andrea (07:46):
Oh, grit.
Just grit, honestly.
Like getting up every day anddoing it no matter what, whether
you felt like it or not,whether you were tired or not.
Um, it's different, I think,when the both spouses are in the
same business because there isno backup plan.
There's not a spouse who's gota really solid corporate career
with benefits and vacation timeand all this, and then the other
(08:09):
spouse gets to just, you know,have their business.
Not that it's easy ever, butwhen you're both in it and it's
all you've got, you don't have achoice.
Stay on rare.
Yeah.
The stakes are very high.
Um, but I think it's one of thethings that's aligned my
husband and I so much over theyears is that like failing's not
an option.
So you just go, even when it'sreally hard, you just do it.
Camille (08:31):
Yeah.
With I mean, you're almost 10years in at this point.
Do you feel like you haveboundaries put in place for
family and business?
Because I would imagine in thebeginning, it's everything all
the time.
And then eventually you'relike, oh, wait, we got to figure
this out.
Like, how did you go from maybethe beginning stages of that
(08:52):
and then figure out whatboundaries you needed to put in
place working as a marriedcouple for family life,
business?
Andrea (09:00):
Yeah.
So that's really important thatthat had to happen pretty quick
because it was.
It was a 24-7 endless loop fora while there.
And we started out in our homeoffice.
So it was like, as I said topeople, like there was no
separation of church and stateat that point.
Like it would all in all thetime.
And so we decided we needed toget an office outside of the
house.
So that was like step numberone.
(09:21):
We got an office.
Um, after that, we really hadto set some boundaries in place.
Like, we're not going to talkabout this.
If one of us is not in the mindspace to talk about it, like
it's just a non-starter.
You know, if it's an eveningand one of us really wants to
talk about something, but theother doesn't table it till
tomorrow.
Um, and I think I'm a littleolder than my husband.
So it's like I've been througha little bit more as far as like
(09:44):
corporate life and all of thatgoes.
And so I just am a little, Ihave a little bit easier time, I
think, setting thoseboundaries.
He's he could work 24 hours aday still.
And I love that for him.
I just can't anymore.
I did that for a very long timeand I just can't anymore.
Um, and so, you know, he knowsthat like I if I'm not in the
space to talk about it, likejust don't.
(10:06):
Like it's we'll talk about itin the morning.
We'll be here at eight o'clockthe next day.
It's fine.
Um, also, even just likeschedule sending emails even to
each other, like so that theother person isn't getting
inundated all the time is reallyhelpful.
Camille (10:19):
Oh, that's a good idea.
Do you mean like at a stablefrequency that isn't like one
question emails?
So you like save it or morejust at times that are
appropriate.
Andrea (10:31):
Oh, which I know, okay.
Like times away.
Yeah.
But like if one of us decides,like last night we were both
working till almost midnight,which is this so this is a
really bad example because we'rebuilding a different business
right now on the side as well.
But um sometimes like he'llwork till 11 o'clock at night or
I'll work till late, you know,and the other one's not.
Like the other one's trying towind down and going to bed.
(10:52):
Like schedule setting theemails for the next morning at
eight o'clock.
That way my phone's not goingoff or his phone's not going off
while you're trying to rest.
Uh, and being respectful inthat way.
Camille (11:02):
That's good advice because the entrepreneurial way
is if you especially if you'reexcited about something, it's
hard to turn the button offwhere you're like, okay, we need
a minute.
Let's create a space for this.
Do you feel like that'ssomething that with your example
and your experience of having,because that's something you've
talked about of experiencingburnout in in corporate.
(11:23):
Do you feel like that was alesson you learned then?
Andrea (11:26):
It is.
I think after my hospitalitycareer, I mean, that was really
hard.
I was working 85 hours a week,you know, for years.
And it was in hotels.
So they're open 24 hours a day,seven days a week, 365 days a
year.
There's no break.
So even if you're not there,the business is still going at
full speed.
Um, and so that was a reallygood um lesson for me in like
(11:50):
this isn't what I want my lifeto look like forever.
And so when I left that careerand went into sales, I defined
some really hard boundariesearly, which was really hard for
me because I was used tovirtually no boundaries.
Um, and so it was like, I'mgoing to walk out of this
building and take lunch everyday.
I'm going to leave, you know,five o'clock-ish.
Sometimes I worked late, butyou know, as a general rule, you
(12:13):
know, um, not gonna work everyweekend, you know, I had to, I
had to completely reconfigure mylife.
I I had no control when I wasin hospitality.
And so I had to really take areally hard look at what I
wanted it to look like andchange that.
So it was a good stepping stoneum between a really chaotic,
(12:33):
erratic career and somethingthat I was more in control of.
Camille (12:39):
Thank you for tuning in to this episode.
I wanted to pop in and let youknow that I am creating a
seven-week cohort called the CEOMindset for entrepreneurs just
like you who are looking toclaim the title of CEO and to
set up systems and maybe evensupport in your business that
you're needing more help with.
This is something that is veryintimate.
(13:01):
It's a small group.
And if you are interested inbuilding and having that
coaching of how to build a team,how to replace yourself so that
you are not doing all themini-to-dos and you're making
more time for your life, pleaseemail me at callmeceopodcast at
gmail.com, or you can DM me atcallme CEO Podcast or
(13:24):
CamilleWalker.co.
I am cheering you on and Iwould love to have you be a part
of our CEO mindset cohort.
Yeah, I mean, but that'swisdom, right?
It's going through it andlearning, okay, what do I not
want viving forward?
And what can I bring in?
Do you have a routine?
I I love asking this questionto entrepreneurs because
(13:47):
depending on where you are, andyou said you're now building
something new, which doesn'tsurprise me, that's so fun.
Uh, but do you have things inplace for you where you like to
wind down, or maybe like morningor evening rituals or times
that you that have really helpedyou to keep that sanity?
Andrea (14:04):
Yeah, I do actually.
I um in the mornings, I listento two podcasts every day, um,
on my way to work, news, both ofthem.
Um, but I do that first thingin the morning.
It's kind of how I get my braingoing.
Um and then when I leave work,I have a different set of
listening that I go into on mydrive home.
(14:25):
So whether it's an audiobook,which is always fiction.
I am a fiction reader throughand through because I have to
check out somewhere.
Yeah.
Um fiction or podcasts that aremore fun, like New Heights or,
you know, Amy Polar or justsomething that's just like
completely, you know, fluff andconsequential.
Camille (14:45):
Yeah.
Andrea (14:45):
Yeah.
You can just breathe and laugh.
Camille (14:48):
Yes, yes.
I love that.
What are your news podcaststhat you like?
Andrea (14:52):
Um, I really like Morning Joe.
Um, I think that one's reallygood.
And then I like um I hit newsas well.
They're funny.
Okay.
I hit moose.
News.
Oh, news.
Yeah.
It's two women from Oklahomaand they're a riot.
Oh, perfect.
That's fun.
Yeah.
All right.
Camille (15:12):
I like that.
Andrea (15:12):
So with people like up first uh with uh NPR.
Camille (15:16):
That's another really good.
Oh, I know that one.
Yeah.
That's I like that a lot.
Because it's it got it getslike those top hits of what you
um what you should know, whichright now there's unfortunately
way too much to keep too much,try to keep track of are too
overwhelming.
Yeah.
For you and your husband, whatare some things that you like to
do together to wind down andhave your time as a couple?
Andrea (15:39):
We love to travel.
Um, and that that time isreally important for us because
the the three of us are myhusband's son and I are really
close.
And so, you know, having thattime to like get away from
everything and connect becausewe are just doers, like we are
always going hard.
Like, no matter if we're athome or at work, like we're
doing something.
Like there's never not aproject or you know, something
(16:00):
going on.
So I take us out of the countryas much as okay.
Camille (16:04):
Oh, girl, totally you're speaking my language.
That is my favorite time.
And I tell any, so I've beenmarried almost 21 years.
And I tell anyone that I talkto, newlywed, whoever, that
especially when kids come intothe story, it is so important to
take time for the two of youalone.
And I know that it's hard toget daycare or to have that
(16:26):
provided.
And we are fortunate in havingfamily around that we have had
help with that.
But that has been a stay forour marriage that is has kept
us.
It's like we're differentpeople.
I call my husband Vacation Paulwhen we go.
I'm like, I really missvacation paul.
Can we go?
Oh, and I just love it so much.
But yeah, traveling with mykids too.
(16:46):
They say that you creatememories differently when you're
having a novel experience orsomething that is out of your
normal routine.
And I feel like those are thethings that our kids will
remember is how having thosemoments, those memories, but
also understanding um even thehard things.
When you travel, it's notalways perfect.
Thing, things happen, you missthe plane, whatever.
(17:07):
We have best of plane.
And it you it's almost alwaysthose times when things go wrong
that the kids look back andlaugh and they're like, remember
that and remember this.
And it cements that thatbonding of what we did and how
we did it together and how wemade it through together.
So I love that you do thatbecause obviously you love it
(17:28):
too.
Cause that's like what you wentinto.
So yeah, I totally agree withthat.
Andrea (17:33):
Yeah, we take our son everywhere.
Like people are always like,Why are you taking him again?
And I'm like, Yeah, I love him.
Like, not that I don't not thatit's that good for you know,
Brian and I to just go byourselves.
Um, we don't do it enough,honestly.
We need to do better at that.
Even if we can we even if wecan get it in.
Yeah, yeah.
Well, we're really lucky too.
My mom lives like five minutesfrom us, and she and my son have
(17:53):
a super special bond.
Oh, and so they spend timetogether, like, you know,
sporadically, like throughoutthe week or whatever.
So we get a lot of like littlebreaks like that too.
So we're not like desperate forthe break usually either.
Like we're really lucky thatway because we have that like
and we always know that reliefelve is there if we need it.
So lucky.
Um, so yeah, it's it's not asurgent usually, but yeah, we we
(18:19):
love taking him places and heloves them.
I love that.
And I think it's you know,travel, you just learn, like you
said, you learn so much.
And it's so fun for me to watchhim because he's been going out
of the country since he waslike three.
And so watching him and likethe way he interacts with people
and the relationships that hebuilds with people in other
places.
Like we went to Anguilla lastweek again for the second time,
(18:42):
and like one of our food serverswas the same, and he likes
hugging her and like you missher, and the kids' club director
was the same, and he samething, like just like hugging
her and missed her.
It was just like so sweet tosee like him forming outside
bonds, also.
So I just think it's reallyimportant and special for him to
know what's going on outside ofthese four walls of the United
(19:03):
States of America.
Camille (19:04):
Absolutely.
You know, I'm sure with uhbeing an only, I feel like they
develop adult-likecharacteristics earlier than
kids that aren't only's becausethey interact so much more with
adults and they're just, I don'tknow, I think that's a
worldwide education.
It's invaluable.
That's awesome.
Yeah, definitely.
Very, very cool.
Okay, so one thing that Iwanted to make sure we talked
(19:27):
about is imposter syndrome.
This is something that is veryimportant to you that you feel
like, especially women, need todiscuss and get over and to
approach it with a differentmindset.
So I would love to hear whatyou have to share about that in
also how that helped you withbuilding this business that
(19:47):
you've built with your husband.
Andrea (19:49):
Yeah, I think that, you know, when I think about
imposter syndrome and I thinkabout women in business,
especially when they're tryingto build something, I think that
it's really easy to get caughtup in, well, I should wait until
I have this degree, or I shouldwait until I have the
certification, or I should waituntil I accomplish this much
revenue, or I should, you know,X, Y, Z.
(20:12):
I mean, fill in the blank,right?
Um, but I find that it is socounterproductive to becoming
your best self and reallyblossoming into what you your
full potential is.
And I think that it's a cyclethat women get caught up in so
easily because we feel like weneed to have every qualification
and we need to know everythingbefore we walk into the room and
(20:32):
we have to be the expert in thefield.
And sometimes it's okay to leadwith your passion and in a
responsible way, of course.
But you know, when you knowwhat you're doing and you know
what you're talking about andyou are good at what you do, if
you don't have the degree or thecertification, that doesn't
mean that you're not qualifiedto do the thing.
Absolutely.
I always love a collegeeducation, but I yeah, but
(20:53):
it'sn't that how it goes?
Camille (20:56):
Like we were talking about our life stories and how
you may be called to one thingin that in a season, and that
doesn't mean that it can'tchange and that you don't have
the ability to grow and learnand and to chase something
different.
And I love that about yourstory that it's that you have
chased your passion and comeback to designing because you're
naturally so good at it.
And I think sometimes we don'teven see that until someone
(21:19):
holds a mirror up to us andsays, you know, you're pretty
good at this.
Like, what are we doing?
Why are we not?
I need your help, you know.
Um, you are part of the ToryBirch Foundation.
Tell me what that means and howdoes that apply to this
understanding of you gettingover that imposter syndrome?
Andrea (21:39):
Yeah, uh, I just got chills again.
I it doesn't matter how manytimes I talk about hear someone
say that, being a part of theTory Birch Foundation is just a
huge honor.
Each year, 50 women areessentially brought into the
foundation through an arduousapplication process um and
several months of interviews,background checks, all the all
the things um to make sure thatyou're fully vetted and the
(22:03):
right fit for the foundation,also.
Um, and uh I was admitted intothe class of 2023, and it is
truly one of the biggest honorsof my life to be a part of it,
um, to be able to learn fromTori and the president of the
foundation is Tiffany Dufu.
She's an incredible woman, andeveryone who works for the
foundation is just amazing.
(22:23):
Um, to be able to just be apart of their world and learn
from them and grow with them.
It's a year-long fellowshipinitially that you go through
and you take an assortment ofdifferent classes.
It's almost like getting amaster's degree in a year,
basically.
Camille (22:38):
But and you don't pay for it, but you have to apply
for it.
Andrea (22:40):
Is that right?
You apply for it.
She actually gives you money.
So it's pretty cool.
Camille (22:44):
Okay, cool.
Andrea (22:45):
Um, you apply for it, and then you are in in the, you
know, in the fellowship for theyear, and that's you know, they
pay for all the classes and allof the, you know, they help you
build a pitch deck and like allof these things that they pour a
ton of money into this, andthen they give you $5,000 for
continuing education, which ispretty incredible.
Um, and then they bring it inNew York City to her
headquarters for a week at thevery end and continue to learn
(23:08):
and grow and all of that.
And I was really lucky.
Um, I still pinch myself againin another way.
Um, I was assigned her brotherto be my advisor.
Um, and he is the chief legalcounsel for the whole Torrey
Birch LLC and the president ofthe Tory Birch Foundation, and
he's just an incredible person,also.
And so um, I've just beenreally fortunate to, you know,
(23:29):
get to be in their, you know,bubble and see what it's like
and in that world.
Camille (23:35):
Yeah.
Andrea (23:35):
Yeah.
And so to meet them and knowthem, and they're such humble
people and they're so curiousand so genuine.
It's, you know, I think whenyou meet like your hero, like
she was always like, I wasalways like, oh my God, like her
clothes, her shoes, hereverything, you know, curses,
all of it.
Since I was, I don't even know,20 years old.
I've been obsessed, right?
Um, but then you just you neverknow what this person's gonna
(23:58):
be like.
And I don't think I everthought I would meet her, of
course.
Um, but then I did.
And she's so kind and she's sohumble.
And like she was asking meabout what I feel about working
with my husband because sheworks with her husband, and you
know, she wanted to know aboutmy son.
And it's like she's a big deal,and so for her to care, you
know, and and want to sit andhave that conversation with me
(24:19):
was really neat.
Camille (24:20):
Oh, that is so cool.
And she spoke to this, right?
Didn't she about impostersyndrome and what did she
choose?
Andrea (24:27):
She did, she did.
She was highly aspirational forme in this because I think I
always had like a little nag ofthat in the back of my brain,
you know, that like, oh, you'renot a trained interior designer,
like that's not what you wentto school for.
And I so I think it was alwaysjust kind of there.
Um, but one day she was talkingto us and she said that
imposter syndrome was one of thethings that was really hard for
(24:47):
her and her business.
And I was like, I'm sorry,what?
You like you have impostersyndrome of all the people in
this world, you know?
How?
How?
So I'm thinking to myself, ifTori Birch had an imposter
syndrome, what are we doing?
You know, like it was like thisaha moment for me where I was
like, what are we doing?
Like we all need to just stop,like full stop.
(25:09):
This is not healthy, it's notproductive.
So lean into what you'repassionate about, lean into your
zone of genius, be your bestself.
And you can do that.
Camille (25:18):
Oh, that is so good.
So good.
Tell so tell our audience wherethey can learn more about you,
your business, and you offerdesign services, but obviously
you can't help someone build ahome unless they're in the
Carolina area.
Charlotte or Carolina, yeah.
Andrea (25:35):
Yeah, we're Charlotte, North Carolina is where we um
build.
Um, and we're expanding intoBeaufort, South Carolina here
soon.
Um, so we'll be in bothCarolinas now or state.
Yes, we're very excited aboutthat.
Um, but yes, we can do designservices virtually anywhere.
So that's something that we're,you know, happy to travel for
um or do virtually um forpeople.
Camille (25:56):
That's awesome.
Okay, so I ask all of my gueststhese two questions.
And the first is what are youreading, watching, or listening
to?
And you can tell me just one ofthe three, or you can tell me
one of every all three.
And then the second is amotherhood moment that you would
want to share that could beanything.
It could be funny,heartwarming, whatever comes to
(26:20):
mind.
Oh goodness.
You already shared with ussomething listening to.
Andrea (26:27):
So we just reading on totally fiction, like I said.
I I check out with reading.
Camille (26:33):
You have a favorite author or book?
Andrea (26:36):
I have a lot of favorite authors.
I like um Colleen Hoover, Ilike Lucy Spohr, I like those
types of books.
They're just like a mental, youknow, yeah, checkout.
I think last year, I I think Iread like 60 books last year.
Um, and this year I think I'vealready read like 45.
And do you do audio orphysical?
I do both.
But my Kindle is always in mybag.
(26:57):
Like no matter where I go, it'salways with me.
So like if I have five minutesat the doctor's office while I'm
waiting, I'm always reading.
Ask my husband's often isjealous of my Kindle.
Um, so that's what I'm reading.
Um, what I'm listening to, Ikind of share those podcasts
that I listen to, but I also dolisten to a lot of audiobooks.
I love audiobooks.
They're I think they're so goodto just immerse yourself in.
(27:21):
And then when I'm watching,I've really stopped watching a
lot of shows in the last fewyears because I read so much.
I used to watch a ton ofseries, like absolutely loved
it.
But I did start listening againthe other day to The Summer I
Turned Pretty, just a totalcheckout, you know.
I read them.
Yeah, they're so good.
July 15th, season three comesout.
(27:41):
That was why I started readingit and sound like I just want to
like refresher.
Yeah.
Um, and so yeah, I'm excited towatch that again.
And I know that the um I thinkthe Crave series, which is like
a vampire fantasy series, that'sgetting turned into a show as
well as one of the otherfantasies series that I really
(28:02):
like.
So I'm looking forward to that.
Very cool.
Yeah.
Camille (28:06):
So motherhood moment.
Andrea (28:08):
Oh, motherhood moment.
I think just sharing the travelwith my son.
I think no matter where it is,it's just important to do that.
And you know, just buildingthat relationship with him
constantly.
You know, right now he wants tomarry me.
So I'm gonna ride that train aslong as he will make it.
Ride that train.
Yeah, he'll come train and say,marry me.
And I'm like, yes, yes, rightnow a thousand times yes.
(28:30):
Cute.
Camille (28:32):
Oh, that's the best.
Andrea (28:33):
Yeah.
And so just sharing thosespecial moments and keeping them
close because they're just notlittle for very long.
It happens so fast.
Camille (28:40):
If you could tell yourself, uh someone that's
listening and looks at yourstory and how inspiring it is
and how you've grown this hugebusiness, what would be your
piece of advice for them with uhcreating a balance for uh
motherhood and business?
Andrea (28:59):
Well, uh I think two things.
I think uh you need to makesure that you're uh fulfilling
yourself in both ways.
I think that if you have a needto, if you want to work and you
want to build a business, likeyou need to do that.
Because if you're not uh doingwhat feeds your soul, then
you're gonna be having regretsprobably later.
And that may be being astay-at-home mom, that may be
being a business owner, youknow, whatever that is for you,
(29:20):
like do that.
Um I think the I think balanceis a little bit of a fallacy
because I think that it's justreally impossible to achieve it.
Um, but I think just do thebest you can every day and try
to stay true to your, you know,guiding beliefs.
And I think that'll take you along life.
Camille (29:36):
Boom.
That's how it's done.
I love it.
Andrea, this has been so good.
Thank you so much for comingand sharing.
And please tell our audiencewhere they can find you online.
Andrea (29:46):
Oh, right.
Yeah, my website iswww.springdalecharlot.com and
we're on Instagram at SpringdaleCustom Builders.
Camille (29:54):
Awesome.
Well, I'm gonna be looking thatup, and her designs are
gorgeous.
So I may not be moving toCharlotte.
That you're going to be gettingthe call.
Awesome.
I'd be honored.
Thank you so much.
Thank you everyone for tuninginto today's episode.
If you haven't had the chanceyet, please subscribe and leave
a rating and review on thepodcast.
That is what helps people tofind our show when they're
(30:16):
looking for inspiration,especially for women and mothers
building businesses.
We want everyone to know thatthey are capable and that there
is so much out there waiting forthem.
Thank you for tuning in.
We'll see you next time.
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