An Inspired Chat with Lindsay Shockey of Atlanta

We recently had the chance to connect with Lindsay Shockey and have shared our conversation below.

Lindsay, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
LOL well…..its starts at about 4:15AM, when the alarm goes off and head to the gym. This is about the only time I can get a work out in but it is a great start to the day and a quick check of the list. After getting back to the house its a shower and get ready for work. Somewhere during this time my toddler wakes up and comes into the room and then its finish “painting my face” as I tell her and start to wrestle getting her ready for the day. Toddler moms know the struggle of trying to dress a little one, especially one with an opinion!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Lindsay Shockey and I currently work for a hospitality design firm in Atlanta, am a licensed Interior Designer, past-president of the International interior Design Association (IIDA) – Georgia chapter, police officers wife, pageant queen and toddler mom. This year I change jobs and went from multi family design to hotel design and loving every minute of it! I also had the opportunity to compete for the title of Mrs. Georgia America this past June. I finished in the top five and we shall see if we give it another go around next year! Neve say never!

As part of IIDA Georgia I have launched a program, Constructing Confidence – Empowering emerging design professionals in the built environment. This program will help young designers understand the construction world through real world on site experience to better understand the built environment and what is important to put in their drawings as a designer. We started the program this year and I am hoping it takes wings and spreads to other chapters through out the country and design world. I am also hoping this program will begin to highlight other areas of design, like the trades and show young designers that if you passion is millwork or tile design or lighting you can take that journey that is not just the path to college.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My husband. Even when I was pregnant with our daughter he kept telling me how good I looked and how proud of me he was every day. As a pregnant woman your body goes through so many changes and to hear that sometimes is needed when you really don’t feel like yourself.

During times when work was tough and I was hard on myself he would say he was proud of me for all that I was doing and how hard I was working. I felt like I was running in circles but he saw someone that was dedicated to trying to go a good job.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
How to push yourself out of your comfort zone and go further than you thought was possible. I was at a firm where I was struggling to stay above water. No matter how hard I tried to do better, do the right thing, take care of the team and the client it seemed like everything would go wrong.

There were so many moments when I wanted to give up and walk away, and honestly for my sanity and peace I should have, but I continued on until it really was time to go and move on. I had suffered enough and I was doing more harm to my inner mental state than good.

If I was 100% successful that would have been great, but what do we learn if everything come easy, not much. We forget the grit and grind that it takes to keep that ball rolling. Knowing when to suffer and keep at it and when to say its time to move on this is no longer serving me.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
My program that I started/mentioned earlier, Constructing Confidence. It started as a discussion with an friend in the industry where I noticed that in all my years on constructions sites I only encountered one female Forman. That is what sparked the idea to help women become for educated and comfortable on the job site. Giving interior designers more tools to be proactive and to be taken seriously while doing their job. We fight constantly to be recognized as more than “HGTV/decorators” and to provide an opportunity for other designers to gain knowledge and feel capable to walk on site and take charge is a great feeling.

It is starting small, but hoping that is takes shape. Principals in the industry are really excited about the program, which is great, so I am hoping it really takes flight.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
When going to work has become a chore and no longer enjoyable. Not everyday is going to be sunshine and rainbows but overall you should enjoy what you are doing for work. There are times when we try to burn the candle at both ends and that is when mistakes happen, that is when we are essentially driving a car with two flat tires. You might be moving but other parts are being damaged in the process. This is when you have to stop, assess and decide if the direction you are going is right for you or it is time to find another path.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://simspatrickstudio.com/
• Instagram: @lindsayj_shockey
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-shockey-ncidq-iida-16693513/
• Facebook: Lindsay Shockey

Image Credits
Headshot photographer: Carlos Velez