Meet Caitlin O’Dea | Plastic Surgery Nurse & Interior Decorator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caitlin O’Dea and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caitlin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve actually been a heart surgery nurse my whole adult career. I was nursing at a pediatric hospital here in Atlanta during the covid pandemic and my role got so serious so quickly. My life was all about the hussle and bussle of surgery and on-call, that I realized I was losing sight of myself. I started taking classes at night after my shifts to have a “creative outlet”. I quickly realized how much I enjoyed interior design. I was so eager to soak up everything I could- classes, podcasts, working for other designers, etc. I started slowly, doing small jobs for friends and saw how quickly I can came alive when my creative energy was ignited. I decided that it was time to jump into a new life, and I’ve never looked back.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I transitioned over from open heart surgery nursing over to plastic surgery nursing this year. They say medicine is an art and a science, and I feel that way about interior design too. I love working with people and making them feel beautiful. I think that’s what drew me to aesthetics in the first place. The attention to detail while seeing everything come together in the end is what makes the job worth doing. I help my surgeons do it at my day job, and then I help my clients bring it into their homes after work. My biggest challenge was overcoming imposter syndrome. The devil on your shoulder brings a lot of self doubt when you start out in a whole new world. I overcame those feelings by committing myself to the work- taking small jobs, taking classes, social media marketing, apprenticeships to more established designers, etc. I want to be the best, so I never stop. There’s a big misconception that interior design is exclusively a high end luxury service, but I want people to know that affordable interior design is out there! Everyone deserves to live in a space that feels good and looks good at a price they can afford.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta is my hometown, and I feel lucky to be from a city that is so culturally rich and diverse. First and foremost, I think I’d have to take them to eat on Buford Hwy. My husband lived in southeast Asia for a few years before we met, and we love trying out international restaurants. Otherwise, we’d have to give the the ATLIEN experience: Walk the beltline, take them for a show at the FOX, get some southern BBQ, take them to the Clermont Lounge, and ultimately end up drinking wine with a charcuterie board in front of a fire in my very own living room. My friends know I’m a huge homebody and my house is my sanctuary where I feel most relaxed.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people encouraged me when I was first getting started. I was blown away. You realize quickly who your real friends are when you share your dream seed with people and the conversation dries up real quick! My husband is the backbone of my company and helps me with website stuff, orders, business stuff- everything! But I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my best friend from college- Royce Cervantes. He’s the one who told me to jump. When I had a blank instagram with 3 followers and it was just an idea seedling. I wouldn’t have had the guts to do if he hadn’t believed in me so fiercely from the beginning. I couldn’t do it without the two men in my life!

Website: caitlinodea@thepeachyaesthetic.com

Instagram: @thepeachyaesthetic

Linkedin: Caitlin O’Dea (Rygmyr)

Facebook: The Peachy Aesthetic

Image Credits
Paige Lutes