We had the good fortune of connecting with Osha Justice and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Osha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I was growing up, my father was in the carpentry/construction industry and my mother sold real estate in the Durango area. From a young age, I followed my father through the sawdust of his shop and tagged along with my mother to client’s living rooms.
Growing up both my parents were entrepreneurs and I saw how family friendly it was to be able to create a schedule that worked for the family. When I started a family of my own I realized the gift and the value of being an independent business owner. So, when my kids were young I took the leap and went out on my own full time. And I haven’t regretted it one single moment! It provides me the flexibility I need being a mom and still satisfies my drive as a business women! I love the challenge of growing my business with the ability to do it from the comfort of my home!
What should our readers know about your business?
OM Design is my independently owned and operated interior design company. I also specialize in window coverings, both residential and commercial. I work with homeowners and contractors to help clients pull together their interiors for a functional and aesthetically pleasing space. I am an interior designer, color consultant, pro furniture shopper, full service space planner, window covering designer and expert. I understand the importance of creating an inviting space for people to spend their time both effectively and comfortably.
When I first started out our town was more of a small undiscovered mountain town. Now, our small town isn’t so small anymore. Our area has grown ten fold in the 20 something years I have been doing business here. This can be very exciting for someone in my line of work. I am happy to change and grow with our landscape. Which right now means lots of new building and renovations to older homes. I enjoy the opportunity to play with the clean slate of a new build but also love working with the treasures and challenges of a remodel.
I have always loved working with people, making things beautiful and creating lasting relationships. My business is based on and thrives from word of mouth business. My many years of practice in this area and all the beautiful relationships I have built along the way with trades people and clients is one of my biggest successes. I think because of my ability to make people comfortable and my natural talent to make things beautiful my career choice and success has come relatively easy for me.
There are always going to be growing pain in creating, building, growing and maintaining your own business. Growing my business has come with a certain amount pain and stress. All the lessons that that I could have only learn from “doing” have been my most valuable as an entrepreneur.
Creating and sharing OM Design with my community and beyond has brought me so much joy and gratitude. It’s really true what they say, when your work is what you love then it isn’t a job. I love where I live and I love making life a little more beautiful and a little more comfortable for anyone who invites me in. I like to leave behind a beautiful spaces are where memories are made and laughter is shared.
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?
Where would I take you… Let’s start with brunch at Carver’s right on main street Durango. Then let’s pick a hiking trail out in Vallectio to hunt for wild edibles and soak up the fresh mountain air. Then let us take our shoes off and dip our feet in the cold mountain lake while sharing mocktails and charcuterie.
We should also take our mountain bikes to the more arid landscape of Cortez for a ride and then go to Pueblo Seed & Food Co.
We may want to grab a bite to eat at Perbacco Cucina Italiana followed by some music c at the Animas City Theater.
We should walk down the 12 blocks of main street Durango and enjoy the art galleries and local artesian shops.
We should soak in the hot spring in Pagosa and maybe even go trekking to find the wild ones off the Piedra River.
We should create a meal together in my kitchen and invite some of my “tribe” to share it with us!
We should drive an hour south and paddle board in the warmer waters of Navajo Lake!
So much to do here! You could come for month and we could do something new and exciting every day!
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?
I want to the thank Suzanne Gable for being a mentor and taking a chance with hiring me all those years ago. I want to thank my little town of Bayfield and all those who have believed in me and supported me while starting from ground zero.
I would also like to thank my husband, Matt Zabka, for his unrelenting support and encouragement.
Website: https://www.omdesign.space/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/om.design.space/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omzdesing