Meet Carnela Renee Hill | Award Winning Interior Designer, Author, Speaker, Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carnela Renee Hill and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carnela Renee, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my business because I saw very few Blacks/African Americans in the interior design arena. The work was plentiful. People were asking for black and brown designers. When you see a need, pray if you are to meet it and go forth. I saw the need. I prayed and received my answer and the business was birthed.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am the CEO and Principal Designer of CR Hill Design Group, LLC. I have been an entrepreneur for 24 years. My firm provides design services in the areas of residential, commercial, staging and special event designs. My design creativity is influenced by sitting and asking God to lead me on every project. I ask God how does HE want the space to look and then I trust the process. After I pray and go over the pros and cons of a project, I evaluate if the project is for me. I have had to shift how I do business and decline projects that have not been in my best interest. I was not always as strategic in my thinking. Life and entrepreneurship will teach you lessons quickly if you are open to learning. Let us not forget the lessons from the pandemic shut down Yes, I learned a lot at the beginning of the pandemic. It has been 24 years of highs and lows, but the WINS and understanding of my purpose for the work I am called to do, keeps me going.

While I was in the corporate world and pursuing my MBA, I started CR Hill Design Group, LLC. I chose to accept a corporate layoff, turn down another job to start my design business full time. As mentioned earlier, the road has not always been easy, but necessary. I have learned business lessons and life lessons. I am an avid reader. One of my favorite books to read, that I advise entrepreneurs to read is “The Richest Man Who Ever Lived, King Solomon’s story”. The story talks about business and wisdom.

In my book, “Walking Afraid” I share the story of my bankruptcy and how spending money on marketing and dealing with a health crisis almost paralyzed me. After the bankruptcy, I became fearful of certain business opportunities and running the business. I finally had to admit to myself, the bankruptcy was embarrassing and it did try to stifle me but it was not the end of the world as one of the bankruptcy attorneys advised me. Once I faced my weaknesses and fears, I was able to learn and grow.

I look for opportunities to share my story to help others see the simple things when making business decisions and what to pay attention to. A hand shake is no longer valid. You must have a written contract with every client. The people you do not feel you need a contract with are the people you definitely need a contract with. A lesson I learned the hard way.

When I share my story, I tell entrepreneurs those that are aspiring, new to the business world or seasoned, that all projects are not good projects and all money is not good money. I go into places/spaces for divine design and purpose. I am not looking at just the decor, there is usually a greater need. I am not chasing the money like I did when I started. I am looking to see if the project is a fit. No more wasting time and money!

I was forced to change how I did business in 2008, and now majority of my clientele are referral based clients. Majority of my projects, have been divinely orchestrated. I have prayed, cried, provided spiritual direction and chaplain services for clients. That is what separates me from others.

I am most proud of a few things including coming into the understanding of my purpose for design and entrepreneurship. Marketplace ministry is what I am excited about because I get to help others learn their purpose for their business too. I have started a new business, C3 Impact Strategies, that is focused on coaching, chaplaincy, and consulting. C3 Impact Strategies consult with entrepreneurs on faith in their business. A talk I have given many times with entrepreneurs.

I am grateful for the opportunity to decorate at the White House for Christmas in 2015 and the HGTV interviews of decorating at the White House. I am grateful for the many awards I have received over the years including being the recipient of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) YR2023 Gillian Rudd Advocacy Award (advocating for small business owners, interior designers, and education) and recipient of the NAWBO-Greater Raleigh Susan Hager Legacy Awardee in YR2022. The Susan Hager Legacy Award is given to a woman business owner that demonstrates (an ongoing commitment to propelling women’s economic empowerment and NAWBO’s mission locally and nationally. By giving her time, talent and resources, she has helped to further the legacy of women’s entrepreneurship now and for generations to come. This woman entrepreneurs is a fearless champion of women’s economic empowerment with a steady voice leading to get a seat at the table or build her own table and make sure to include other women at that table like Susan. The highest honor bestowed upon its NAWBO Great Raleigh members.)

Let me share a few nuggets to remember for life and business:

Every situation that occurred in my life and yours, occurred to get you to where you are today and the next journey is still being written.
I am not who I was last year, last month or last week. Neither are you!
Learn to rest in God to prepare for each level. Choose to REST or be forced in REST. I am learning to choose Sabbath rest.
We do not have to feel ashamed or guilty about learning lessons. For years, I have carried this weight. I have forgiven. I have been forgiven and new things are on the horizon. I am a better person, Boss Lady and leader now. I do not want to repeat some of those same lessons. Therefore, my ears are opened to God. I hope you will resonate with this message.
Expectations: I am expecting more international work and growing my “coaching, chaplaincy & consulting business”.

* 5 Principles of Success:
Live life
Stay in faith
Build generational wealth starting with a business even if you are working a 9 to 5
People hire people that they know like and trust
Tell your story, someone is waiting to hear it to go forth in their life. We overcome by the words of our testimony. Rev 12:11; So tell your story!

I am looking forward to new opportunities in the next few years and embarking more on the new business, mission and ministry, speaking more and giving back even more to the community with the nonprofit, www.thethriveresourcecenter.org.

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 enjoy going to restaurants. I can eat breakfast all day. I love seafood. I am from the Eastern part of North Carolina, Wilson, NC, so barbecue is a must. My top 5 places are 1) Cape Fear Seafood, 2) Cowfish, 3) First Watch, 4) Metro Diner and I cannot forget Parker’s BBQ in Wilson.

My places to go shopping… Furniture (Steven Shell Living in Cameron Village, GreenFront Interiors & Rugs, and Homegoods).

I like driving through neighborhoods, eating ice cream and looking at houses.

I like boutique shopping and consignments stores.

I am hoping to get to sit and enjoy jazz music at the Improv with Greg Williams lineup. I just have not made it yet.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have so many people I am grateful for their blessings, pushing, and holding me up over the 24plus years as an entrepreneur. First, My faith in God is key for me. God has set-me up with so many great mentors and coaches over the years that I have met in many capacities. Ms. Andrea Harris, one of the Founders of NCIMED now The National Institute of Minority Economic Development, was instrumental in my life and the lives of so many entrepreneurs in North Carolina and around the world. Last month, was the month she passed away. She is deeply missed. Believe me when I say, I am not shy of telling and recognizing my mentors-coaches, I am not but the list is truly long. Therefore, I will acknowledge just a few of the organizations. NC Institute, SCORE, NAWBO, and My Local CFO.

Website: https://www.carnelareneehill.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/carnelareneehill

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/carnela-renee-hill-executive-mba-60364b4

Facebook: http://www.carnelareneehill.com/ 

Others: Preorders of Carnela’s revised book “Walking Afraid” is now available on Amazon. The book is better than ever. Locate the book in Walmart, Barnes & Nobles, and more on July 9th, 2024.

Image Credits
– RM Photography, RashaadMcNeil;
– GraceTheFace Photography, Tanika Martin;
– Mehmet Demirci Photography, Mehmet Demirci;
– DVOC Photography