We recently connected with Cori Grenier and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Cori with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic, determination and entrepreneurial spirit all come from the strong and intelligent female influences in my life. These women who surround me, aren’t afraid of taking risks to find their purpose. An entrepreneurial spirit is a self- motivated attitude to fulfill their potential and purpose. My Great Grandmother, Grandmothers, Mom, Aunts, and Cousins all embody the entrepreneurial spirit and because of them, I was empowered to embrace mine.
Work ethic comes from your integrity, honesty, and discipline. It really is an attitude of determination and dedication to something you are passionate about. It’s helpful to elimate distractions and set goals toward your dreams. When self doubt enters in, I remind myself that I will be okay because I come from a strong line of powerful women. If they can, then I can too, because my ancestry is strong. The values, traditions and culture handed down by previous generations motivate me. We absorb a sense of our heritage throughout our lives as we observe and experience the things that make us.
From my Great Grandmother who volunteered her time with the VFW and held many prestigious positions. To my Grandmothers who both had large families to take care of, and still worked a career in order to survive the demand of living in a weak economy. My Mom, who by far is the strongest women I know. She cared for our family while working in a demanding career in Corporate. She still had time to volunteer and always puts others before herself. She continuously puts her heart into everything she does. To my Aunts, who came to the US from Portugal not knowing a word of English, providing for their families and at times working two jobs with demanding hours. I’m motivated by my Aunt who pushed the bar even higher and opened the first family business, a pre-school/daycare center. She ran her business well over a decade. An Aunt on my Father’s side of my family, opened a successful family resturant, and has been in business now for over 20 years. It’s exciting to witness the next generation of powerful women, my cousins. They have shown me their strengths and dreams, one who has owned and operated a successful boutique which catered to high end, successful clientele. Another that left her nine to five job and now runs her own social media business. These women all represent hardwork, perserverance and a love for what is in them. They showed me that I can work hard and have my dreams become a reality all while raising my family. Their journey is bold and one that I admire.
Having three daughter’s of my own, it is paramount for me to install a strong work ethic within each of them. They are the next generation to carry on our strong female enterpreneurial spirit, to chase their dreams and know anything is possible with hardwork, determination and appreciation for your skill. Running a business has highs and lows. It’s a learning process. You have to be strong enough to hold on for the ride. If you find great passion in something, pursue it. Many successful people are successful because they aren’t afraid of failure and because of their work ethic. Many are self-taught, driven, and ready for a new start. My three daughters are instrumental in the decisions I make in my life. They are the true foundation of House on Hope and they drive my work ethic, they are a reminder to push hard and to be successful not only in business but in life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
House on Hope specializes in Interior Design and Home Staging. Our goal is formed by a love of your home’s history, character, and style. We love keeping as many of the bones of a structure as we can. Marrying in your personality is what brings a home together. With our approach, communication is key. We’re here for whatever you need. We’ll help you solidify your vision and keep in constant contact until your dream is realized. House on Hope Design is all about creating spaces for better living. In our Staging, we work with a collective group of agents and provide them and their clients with a detailed plan, incorporating decor and furniture to get their home sold with multiple offers above the asking price. We’ve got every step of the process covered! Our design work is organic, textured, and provides warmth to any home. We are proud of our design work featured on several retailer websites, blogs, and online magazines.
Design and being creative has always been a passion of mine. I just hadn’t realized it until later on in life. I’ve always had interests in the Arts and enjoyed being creative. Thinking about a space and all of its possibilities has always appealed to me. I often envision the feeling a space can offer, the interior paint colors, furnishings, textiles, or artwork. I look at a space and think of all its elements and the story I want the space to tell. Interior Design and Home Staging tells a story, shares a feeling, and cultivates a sense of belonging.
Once I was married and had a home of my own, that’s when I knew it was time to follow this passion. I created a story by using design for my own family. A place that we loved and felt safe in, our home told our story. It was then, I knew I wanted to follow this passion for assisting other families and even Real Estate Agents by helping share a home’s story. A home not only needs to look great, but it needs to function and feel great as well. My goal is always to highlight the home’s beauty and repair its flaws, so it functions and feels great for the family who enjoys it. In the fall of 2020, House on Hope was created. Opening House on Hope allowed me to be creative, and gave me the opportunity to assist families with designing a space that they love.
I am excited to be turning my focus toward real estate and have recently joined the Coldwell Banker Advantage Team located in Holly Springs, NC. I thrive in a fast-paced environment and I am eager to jump into the real estate market in the Triangle and surrounding areas. My background in Home Staging/ Interior Design, working alongside homeowners and knowing our market has truly cultivated the perfect opportunity to blend my passion for real estate with my commitment to homes and clients in North Carolina.
My focus is on helping families achieve their hopes and dreams when it comes to homeownership. Let our journey take you home.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I find myself following three keys to mastering my success in my life and in my business. I focus on my mind-set, my skill-set and my actions. These three keys lead me to live a fuller life and embrace a career where I can showcase my skill of Interior Design and Home Staging, as well as assist home owners in their journey of buying and selling. I have learned to focus on gratitude and to surround myself with positive influences and instrumental mentors and advisors to keep me motivated to work harder and to continuously grow as a individual and business. It is helpful to make a list of what you want for yourself, your family and for your career. This will drive your work ethic, fuel your passion and help you achieve your goals and dreams.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
A female entrepreneurial friend recommend that I read the book written by Larry Kendall, Ninja Selling Subtle Skills. Big Results. Well, I am so glad that I did! This book focuses on making strong connections with others, growing your business, focusing your energy in all the right places. Most importantly, how to be best business person you can be with getting your mind cleared from distractions and doubt. This book teaches readers how to shift their approach from chasing business to attracting business. One powerful quote in the book “For things to change for you, first you must change.” -Jim Rohn. Work ethic starts with a commitment towards something, it’s being the very best you can be. This is where your mindset, your skill set and your actions all come together to create the best version of yourself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseonhopedesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houseonhopedesign
- Other: https://www.zillow.com/profile/corigrenier/ https://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/6489d8dd6ca9880ecfd43ce4
