Meet Samantha Pattillo | Designer/Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Pattillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Before becoming a parent my work life balance was not so balanced, to say the least. I love what I do as a designer so getting to my office at 6:45am and bringing my work home at night was never an issue (my poor husband). The majority of my days were spent building my companies, designing products, and doing market research. I loved it! I fed off of that energy…until I became a mother. For the first time in my life, my days weren’t focused around me and MY goals, they were about bigger dreams for me AND my family. Instead of going into the office early I started a new routine that included time with my daughter. I’ve had to re-evaluate what’s important to me, and while my work is still a place of pride, where I find my true joy has shifted. My work is still my passion, but now it’s a part of my lift, not my whole life. Owning a successful business if not for the faint of heart; I’ve had to set boundaries for myself like a hard stop at the end of the day (4pm) so I have time to pick up my daughter from daycare and be home with her in time to play outside and cook dinner with my husband. Creating boundaries for yourself and those around you are the only way you will ever find a balance. But it’s important to remember that everyone’s version of balance is different, don’t let anyone make you feel guilty about putting the things that matter most to you first.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I knew what I wanted to do with my life after the first time I visited the Savannah College of Art & Design campus in Savannah. I walked the furniture design studio and a whole world opened up to me. From that point on my passion for furniture design has grown year after year as I’ve designed for fortune 50 companies, traveled the world developing product lines, creating brands from nothing into successful businesses, and finally building my own company. My journey has been amazing, but not always easy. In a predominately male profession, getting a seat at the table isn’t the only obstacle, its getting all those people around the table to listen and to trust me. I’ve had amazing male counterparts in my career that were quick to respond to questions asked to them with “hey, ask her, she’s the one running this show” but I hate that the questions aren’t directed to me in the first place. It’s a constant battle, but one I’m willing to fight. I’m proud to be a strong female voice in this industry, both as a furniture designer and a business owner. It takes patience, an assertive personality, and a willingness to put up with bullshit.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
With a growing business and a family, my down time activities have certainly shifted from when I was younger. I will choose a home cooked meal out on our deck overlooking our 18 acre farm any day. A far cry from our West-Midtown life we were living pre-baby. When I do get some me-time or have a friend come into town I will venture out to some of my old favs:

-To kick off a day of shopping I start at West Egg for brunch then enjoy shopping in the Star Provisions complex. Make our way to mid-town to walk Piedmont park, the beltline and have a late lunch in Ponce City Market.

-For a more casual night I’d start at Eleanors Speakeasy for drinks and head Porch Light Latin Kitchen in Smyrna
-For an upscale vibe I hit O-Ku or the Optimist in West Midtown and end the night with fabulous cocktails at Marcel.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am an avid reader and an admitted self-help book junkie. I love reading about other successful people’s journeys and books that help me grow, personally and professionally. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert ignited a passion in me to push for what I want out of my creative and professional career. You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero is a book I give to all my friends to remind us all that we are fucking awesome and we hold the power to be the person we want to be.

The person who deserves the most credit along my journey is my husband Brian. Without his unwavering belief in my skills and his willingness to take the risks with me I would not be where I am today. He has been my emotional and financial safety net through some pretty tumultuous times. No matter how much I believed in myself, it is always easier taking a big leap when you have a soft place to land.

Website: www.leisuremade.com

Instagram: @leisuremade