Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rhonnika Clifton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rhonnika, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Showing up in unfamiliar & uncomfortable situations can be extremely challenging, but I’ve managed to succeed effectively early in my career through prayer & persistence. As I began to maneuver through design school, and subsequentially the Houston design industry in 2010, I quickly found out what it felt like to be one black dot in a sea of “white”. Not that it hadn’t been the case before (I’ve also experienced that feeling in the corporate world), but I think it felt even more bitter because I had such high expectations for my new career in design. I had an expectation that designers and professionals in the industry would seamlessly be as kind & accepting as they were when they visited design school or connected with us at student-related events.
WRONG!
From the moment I started attending out-of-school events, I noticed that not only did design professionals not engage with me, but when they did, they only wanted to discuss my “cool” hair, clothes, or accessories. Never asking questions about me, my skills, or my design career aspirations. Ugh! Initially, I was introverted and extremely nervous about being seen or heard, but something was tugging at me. As an adult who’d worked in upper management and corporate America, it was highly frustrating that I was having a hard time establishing meaningful conversations with these professionals.
So, how’d I get over my introverted ways and learn how to be effective/successful as the only “dot” in the room? I call it a God-thing. I remember it like it was yesterday. Around sophomore/junior year, while sitting in class listening to a presentation, I felt a nudge and then the voice of God saying “You’re not an introvert and it’s time to show up as authentically you.” Boy did that snap me out of my feelings of being inferior and invisible.
From that moment on, I became extremely intentional about how I showed up. The first step, CONTINUE TO SHOW UP! Continuing to show up and not playing small became an enduring mission of mine that eventually led to me creating an organization for local Black interior design students/professionals. Creative Conversations, LLC was born while in design school with a mission to support other Black design students in finding their voice and power through networking, education, cultivating meaningful relationships, and empowerment. Since 2013, I’ve turned my disappointments & frustrations into a successful, desirable organization that has supported over 100 Black design professionals within Houston and the surrounding areas of Texas.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Rhonnika and I’m the Owner and Principal Designer of R J Clifton Designs, LLC. R J Clifton Designs, LLC is a full-service interior design company and recognized expert specializing in bringing the best of art & function to spaces through turn-key services for residential and commercial properties. We offer a range ofsolutions and value-added services that seeks to create, change, and cultivate your living experience. Our team of experienced designers work closely with clients to create cohesive designs that align with their vision and budget. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service while managing every aspect of the turn-key design process from conception to installation. Based in Houston, we service the surrounding areas and nationwide. With a focus on creating timeless and unique designs, our portfolio includes luxurious residential homes, and high-end commercial spaces.
I’m a proud native Houstonian and have been decorating, designing, and organizing residential spaces for local and nationwide clients for over fifteen (15) years. My passion and knowledge of space planning, color theory, and textures are the basis of our bold, unique designs. Most people don’t know it, but Decorating & Design is actually a third career for me. My first career path and love was Science (Biology in particular) and Nursing, which I studied throughout high school and the first two (2) years of college. In 2009, I received an Associate Degree in Arts from Houston Community College.
My first decorating business, Decorator Diva, LLC, was born in 2006 and quickly developed over the years. It ran all while having part-time and full-time positions in fashion retail sales and corporate administration. After a few years of running the decorating company, I entered interior design school, at The Art Insitute of Houston, where I graduated with a BFA in Interior Design in 2013. In 2018 I transitioned the business to encompass a parent company, R J Clifton Designs, LLC, which services mid to high-end residential and commercial clients. I wholeheartedly believe my past versatility of skills allows me to build client & professional relationships over a broad spectrum of the industry.
From a very early age, I’ve taken up a love for volunteering, and over the years I have supported the mission of several great organizations. I’m an active member of ASID Texas Gulf Coast Chapter (American Society of Interior Designers) and enjoy serving as a leader in the design community. I’ve also served as a project coordinator for the volunteer organization Houston Furniture Bank D.I.V.A.S. (Designing Interiors- Volunteers At Your Service), a subsidiary organization of the Houston Furniture Bank. The D.I.V.A.S. provides one-day makeovers for deserving individuals and families who have recently received housing.
I’ve been fortunate to have received several awards and accolades over the course of my career. In 2009, I was a semi-finalist in Kirkland’s national search for stand-out designers to introduce the launch of their community website, mykirklands.com. Among other accomplishments, I’ve been featured on Houston’s KTRK Channel 13’s “Stretch Your Budget” segment and appeared as the guest decorator at several grand openings of Kirkland’s stores in the Houston area. Additionally, I’ve been recognized as Houston’s Top 40/40 to Watch by I10Media, honored as a community leader by the Metro Southeast Houston Chapter of NWOA (National Women of Achievement, Inc.), presented with the Houston Interior Designer Award in 2021, and has been featured in several local and national print media (Architecture Digest April 2021).
Aside from being an Interior Designer, Speaker, and Mentor, I’ve also served as an Adjunct Professor at HCC (Houston Community College), and for the last eight (8) years, I’ve served as co-founder of the Houston-based social networking group, Creative Conversations, LLC. Currently, I am working on launching a Mentorship & Coaching Program that will service novice and professional BIPOC (Black & Indenginious People of Color) as an ethical & relatable support system as they either enter the design industry or are looking to scale their existing business. We’re due to launch “The Educated Designer Mentorship & Coaching Program” in the Fall of 2023!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are…
1. Always stay flexible. Our plans don’t always work out the way we think they should so, it’s very important to stay flexible and have faith while in the spaces & places God has placed us in.
2. Having worked in various job & career opportunities, from working at a famous fast-food restaurant, to fashion & furniture sales, to corporate administration, I’ve acquired a variety of skill sets that have been extremely beneficial to my business processes and customer service skills.
3. Proactive – I go after what I want!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
As a solopreneur in a fast-paced and ever-changing marketing world, I’m excitedly seeking to partner with a content creation person/team and a Creative Director to assist with photoshoots and marketing ideas. I also need an ambitious, responsible, mature, and driven interior design intern interested in laying a stake in our company for future growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rjcliftondesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rjcliftondesignsllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RJCliftonDesigns
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonnika-clifton-bfa-allied-64ab9246/
Image Credits
Dee Zunker – Dee Zunker Photography
Krytondra Mamou Photography
