Meet Rachel L Travis: Founder of RL Interiors & Home Services

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel L Travis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel L, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always known that I wanted to have my own business and be my own boss but I was never sure about what type of business I wanted. I was working with a property management company and doing the least sexy thing you can think of- cleaning toilets.

I had access to what the community spent on their previous interior design (which was super outdated to have all the events they have). By accident, I ran into the President of the Board of Directors of the 500+ home community and pitched her a new and updated clubhouse right on the spot. She said, “Okay, I trust you. Now make it happen”.

I was so nervous and scared I would mess this up but I made it happen by working closely with the client to ensure I captured their vision for a newly renovated clubhouse. Next thing I know, I’m the owner of RL Interiors and Home Services!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m most proud of making it happen! It can seem overwhelming, starting a business, if you look at the whole picture but when you focus on one thing at a time, it can make that impossible task less intimidating and doable. It’s the angle that you look at things that can really change your perspective for the better. I think what sets me apart from other businesses is that I love what I do. I get pleasure out of cleaning homes or rearranging furniture because they’re too busy or just don’t know how. I’ve learned that you’re going to mess things up. It’s inevitable! Mistakes happen and you just keep moving forward. Now, whether you learn from that lesson is up to you.

What sets me apart from others in this industry is that I can do it. I can do it even if I haven’t done it before because I believe in myself and my ability to get shit done.

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?
I would take them to my place! A super old brick building that you pass unknowingly and don’t really think about yet see all the time throughout Atlanta. They’re everywhere and now that I’ve lived in a few of them, I couldn’t ever go back to a regular apartment. These old brick buildings have so much character to them! After they just a tour of my eclectic, plant filled oasis- I’ll walk them up the street to Piedmont Park (only a few blocks away!)
We’ll take a stroll through the park and check out all the dogs and grab a bite at Park Tavern.

From there, we’ll rent a bike or scooter (if you’re into that, who isn’t?!) and head to Ponce City Market and check it out because you’re a tourist, you’re pretty much obligated to go there. From there, we’ll hop on the belt line and maybe grab a beer from the rooftop bar at New Realm or grab a nice dinner on the patio outside of Two Urban Licks and watch everyone on the belt line. If there’s a Braves game, we’ll take a drive (hopefully with little to no traffic) to the Battery for more brews and laughs. If there’s no game, we can take a drive to VaHi! If you know, you know! Good ole Virginia Highlands houses some pretty cool places as well as hosting movie nights in their park.

There’s so much to do in Atlanta, its almost ridiculous.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents and sister get the biggest shoutout here! I wouldn’t be anywhere without the unconditional love and support my family has provided over the course of my life. My parents taught me you only get one life and boy, does it go by fast. I can still hear my dad saying, “You can be anything you want in this life! It may not come easy but you can do it if you set your mind to it”. He said that so much, that phrase is permanently ingrained in my mind. So if you want something out of this life, it’s up to you to make it happen. We had all we needed growing up- a great relationship, food on the table and tons of laughter in our household; we didn’t have an exuberant amount of money in the bank and that was okay. It had to be okay, we adapt, we adjust and we keep on trucking! It made me the go-getter I am today and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

The sole individual who has had the most impact on who I am today would be my best friend and partner, John McClelland. I met John at a pivotal spot in my life; I was 20 years old and didn’t know what I was doing with my life. He encouraged me, supported me and and held my hand through my struggles and I know I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without his presence in my life.

Instagram: r.l.interiors

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Line Creek Media | @linecreekmedia