Celebrating 2 Years
of SVS Design
August 1, 2024
On August 1, 2022, I took a chance on my passion, a hobby I had become very skilled in, and launched SVS Design. I had high hopes for where it would lead me but had no idea of the transformation that would come along with it.
A few months prior to that, I started doing some self-reflection and realized I wanted to be better. I knew I needed to watch the things I said, be less judgmental, and strive to bring peace to my home and my relationships. I wasn’t the Christian I wanted to be. I wasn’t the mother, stepmother, or wife I wanted to be. I knew I needed to deepen my relationship with God and grow in my faith.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
I had suffered many losses in the three years leading up to this. We lost our son at 19 weeks gestation. I almost lost my life during delivery. Six weeks later, I was airlifted due to hemorrhaging and again came close to death. Due to the “medical” issues I was having, I essentially lost my full-time position as a dental hygienist. I was fortunate enough to find another position but had no choice but to leave that office in the fall of 2021.
When I think back on those years, I know the faith I had kept me strong. It kept me grounded and hopeful for the future, but it wasn’t always easy.
Fast forward to the early summer of 2022, I had been drawing CAD for a contractor part-time and had helped numerous friends and family, and even a stranger, plan and visualize their home projects. Those close to me would ask why I wasn’t ACTUALLY doing this, why I wasn’t charging for my services, and encouraged me to make something of it.
August 1st rolled around, and I launched a Facebook page and Instagram. I had friends and family share my projects and was able to grow a small following. From August of ‘22 to March of ‘23, I had three paying clients. I continued drawing for fun, using anything I could for content, and started posting on TikTok.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4
As I was, not so patiently, waiting for my business to grow, I continued to deepen my faith. I turned to prayer for the things I wanted to control but couldn’t. I turned to prayer as our family was burdened financially without income from me. I turned to prayer as I made decisions that affected my children. I turned to prayer when my marriage struggled. I was actively bringing God into every aspect of my life rather than just being a lukewarm Christian.
In March of 2023, I finally had someone reach out to me on TikTok. She was in need of a kitchen remodel and had stumbled upon a transformation video I had posted (of the first kitchen I had done for a stranger). She told me, “You need to keep making videos like that. One day they’ll go viral!” After I finished up her project, I did a transformation video of it and posted it to TikTok.
That video went viral. It had 1.6 million views within a few days and brought my measly 100-some followers to 16,000+.
The months that followed were surreal. The realization that I would likely be able to pursue something I absolutely love, make a reasonable income, and be able to focus on my life as a homemaker set in. My passion that I had had since I was a child was turning into a career.
“You will seek and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13
In the early morning hours of August 1, 2023, as I was brainstorming something clever to post to commemorate one year of SVS Design, I became overwhelmed with gratitude. Emotion flooded me as I realized every terrible thing that had happened to me led me here. If one of those things went differently or if I hadn’t trusted in the plan He had for me, I wouldn’t be here. Countless times over the years, I wondered WHY. I finally felt I had an answer for that why. The talent and passion He gave me as a child was giving me the life I dreamed of. But what if I hadn’t put my trust in Him? What if I hadn’t been making an effort to bring Him into my life and our home? Every part of my life had become exponentially better since I had been turning to Him and now it was so clear to see.
In those moments and the day that followed, I truly felt HIS presence for the first time in my life. Between feeling HIS hand on my shoulder as I thanked Him over and over again for the life I had been given, to falling to my knees on my kitchen floor, sobbing and laughing knowing my life, my world, and my heart would never be the same again. God awoke a different part of me that day.
Not only is August 1st the anniversary of SVS Design, but more importantly, it is the day that the Lord brought me to my knees and I surrendered everything I am to Him.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7
The all-knowing, all-powerful, King of the Universe is the ONLY thing that can and ever will bring you true Peace. I pray that you find it if you haven’t already.