We had the good fortune of connecting with Shanna Eilers and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Shanna, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’m a planner – the type of person who has a to-do list every day, jumping on tasks immediately, thinking ten steps ahead so nothing is forgotten and things can run smoothly. So you can imagine taking a risk with unknown outcomes really upsets my ‘running smoothly’ kind of notion.
One of my first biggest risks was studying abroad in college. It really doesn’t sound like that big of a deal; many people do it. But I was in a particularly vulnerable stage of life. My dad had passed of cancer a few years earlier which threw my life into chaos. I hated how it felt so I deliberately spent those next years reeling in the chaos and finding stability. But here I was going to live in a foreign country, speaking a language of which I only knew the basics and living with people I barely knew. I’m sure you can guess… It was an unforgettable time. And it was the best thing I did for myself.
It opened the doors of ‘you won’t know until you try’ and I’ve come to find many amazing people and opportunities behind those doors. The risks are still unnerving at times. I still perseverate (as my husband likes to call it) over the options and if we’re making the correct choice. (As if any choice is ever truly “correct”.) But a great deal of the risks I’ve taken have panned out and brought new experiences and joy to my life, totally worth the unknown outcomes. Heck, it pushed me to leave my comfy, corporate job and dive off the deep end to start my own business.
What should our readers know about your business?
My mom helped me paint and repaint my room again and again growing up. …which eventually led to us painting the entire interior of our house. She still jokes with me that I ‘conveniently’ broke my collarbone mid painting, leaving her to finish by herself. Sorry Mom!
The yearning to make our house feel less like a cold hotel with stark, white walls and more like a welcoming, comfortable place to live stuck with me. I got my degree in interior design and went to work in commercial design. I worked alongside wonderful people and learned endlessly over the years but I was soon ready for a change. Eager to make a deeper impact on peoples’ lives, to create personalized visions and solutions for problems people struggle to solve on their own, I launched my own residential interior design business: Ashby Road Studio.
I believe wholeheartedly that design should not only be beautiful and enjoyable but also functional. I’ve been on a mission to help people breathe new life into their homes. Because home is where life happens. And one thing is certain – time at home is precious. I feel it’s important for people to have a place of refuge that enriches their lifestyle, inspires them to relax, and nurtures moments with friends and family. After all, isn’t enjoying the company of loved ones what life is all about?
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?
My husband and I love living in Colorado Springs. The sun is always shining and there is so much to see and do around here. And bonus, its a place our Midwestern family and friends want to visit. So first stop: the mountains. We’d load up the dogs for a hike in Cheyenne Mountain Canon. Followed by a visit to a local brewery with a food truck for lunch. After washing off the day, we’d head downtown for dinner at a restaurant like T-Byrd’s Tacos or Mood Tapas Bar, then ducking into a bar with a live band. I’m a sucker for an Irish band so we’d likely find ourselves in Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub.
Next up: pickleball. There are an impressive amount of pickleball courts in the area and I’ve become obsessed. After sweating it out, we’d need a great brunch like the hash bowls and Bloody Mary bar at 503W. While we’re out on our bikes, we might as well do some brewery hopping, making sure to hit a couple of our favorites like Goat Patch, Fossil, or Cerberus. We’d end the night in our neighborhood, grabbing dinner on Stir’s patio watching the sun set over the mountains.
Next morning, we’d make our way to the Old Colorado City Farmers Market snagging breakfast pastries and fresh produce. While in the area, we’d pop into some of our favorite local shops before heading to Red Rock Canyon Open Space for a hike and beautiful views. Having grabbed plenty of local groceries, we’d spend the evening at our place, inviting local friends to join. If you haven’t already noticed, one of my favorite pastimes is getting people together around a delicious meal. 😉 As an avid cooker, I’d whip up a feast we could enjoy before getting too competitive over board games.
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?
Shoutout to my husband, Devin. Not only for the believing in me, supporting me, blah blah kind of thing (which is true). But really for diving into the weeds with me when I needed a second opinion. For being a sounding board while I rambled on about options and possibilities.
Did I mention I’m a collaborative person and he is the total opposite? Yeah… Many, many of the conversations around my business have probably taken him a special kind of patience and engagement on levels he’s not used to. I thank him for enduring my continuous questions and musings, my perseverating, and for carrying a heavier load while I created a major new chapter in my life.
Also a big shoutout to Shoutout Colorado. I’m grateful for your interest in my story.
Website: www.ashbyroadstudio.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashbyroadstudio/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshbyRoadStudio/?ref=pages_you_manage
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoxL_WgwMCUs_606OLcE_Lw
Image Credits
Kylie Fitts Photography