Meet Celina Voelker | Senior Interior Designer & Co-Founder of Organic Love Interior Design

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

Hi Celina, why did you pursue a creative career?
You see, I started out knowing that I had a strong love for people and how better to show that love than to care for them?

My passion was always design but my family encouraged me, with my strong background in Math and Science that I should pursue the medical field.

So I did, I finished a doctorate program in 6 years and at the age of 23 I was working two jobs, one as a trauma hospital pharmacistand a retail pharmacist where I had my fill of building relationships with patients that trusted me sometimes more than their physicians.

On the day of graduation, one of my teachers said “Don’t let this day be the smartest you’ll ever be.”

So as years went by, we moved and had children, I found myself sould searching, moving onto the next job and the next, growing, learning, helping enforce new programs, obtain additional certifications and establishing new pharmacies.

After developing skills practicing in the retail, hospital, trauma, compounding, closed door, clinical and specialty areas of pharmacy, I started to realize that my “why” of choosing this career was no longer reality.

Medicine had become more about the money and less about the care of the patient.

Those long talks I used to have with my patients/friendsnow had time limits enforced by the establishments and insurance companies.

If my honest medical opinion was “change of Lifestyle” and not “take this medicine” I wasn’t doing my job.

I couldn’t sleep, I wasn’t happy and finally after much prayer and discussion, my husband planted the seed…
“Why don’t you do what you’ve always loved”

Me?

How could I succeed?

It’s too late.

How can I compete?

My husband encouraged me to take the first step, reach out to locals an see if there was a need or a want for the service I would offer.

After months of polling neighbors, we realized there was a desire for our mission…Design on a budget, focused on supporting local and repurposing with out compromising quality.

Those first steps were the most terrifying.

Putting my notice in at work, a job that required a residency which I never had, meaning I had to work that much harder to obtain, letting go of a consistent salary, benefits and a pension, stepping out into a world of owning a buisness which I knew nothing about.

But I did just that I took the first step and then the next in faith.

I prayed for that first client who ended up being one of my coworkers ironically enough.

Now a year and a half later, I have stepped completely out of my comfort zone too many times to count and awkwardly stood in rooms where I have known no one.
All of that to say, there is growth in the discomfort.

I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything, being able to share my love for design with others who otherwise would feel intimidated to ask for help or not be able to afford it, it’s truly a dream.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My passion for design is not just that, it is the opportunity to offer it to everyone! I have always designed on a budget without compromising in quality and I felt that was something that deserved to be shared with others. Our mission is to offer affordable design by respurposing and supporting local without sacrificing quality.

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?
Actually my best friend is visiting this weekend for my birthday! We live in one of the most beautiful places in the country, so I am definitely taking them to the beach to enjoy the beautiful Carolina weather. Also, we will go to one of our favorite local restaurants;Ma’am Saab for Pakistani food, Southbound for seasonal dishes, La Pizzeria for Italian, Lola for Creole, Stella’s for Greek, Langdon’s for steak, Chez Nous for French and so much more! One of our favorite outdoor activities is to launch our kayaks in the tidal creeks and paddle out, fish, and throw out crab traps. Walking downtown in the cooler weather, visiting the museums, historic homes and plantations are just a few of our favorites!

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?
A year ago, I took a leap of faith and reached out to an influencer on Instagram, “The Powerhouse Coach” I didn’t think she would even respond to me but she did and offered advice and also invited me to a women-owned small business networking group “Bubbles & Business” here in Charleston. While I have attended many more networking groups, Bubbles and Business has been largely responsible for growth in my business and friendships.

Website: https://www.organicloveinteriordesign.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/organicloveinterior?igsh=MWE2cmh3ZzdzZjV5YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/organicloveinterior/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088486600427

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/organic-love-interior-design-mount-pleasant

Other: Pinterest:

Tik Tok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@organicloveinterior?_t=8o85PRyE5UZ&_r=1

Image Credits
Jonathan Boncek & Anna Laura Sommer