Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Kirchhoff.
Hi Kara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Southern California. I was an outcast (maybe more than a bit). I was intelligent, but I needed to be more interested. I didn’t apply to any colleges, nor did I know what I wanted to do, but I knew there was no way I could wear a suit every day and work in an office pushing papers. Nothing is wrong with that, but it wasn’t for me. After failing a semester of community college, I heard about design-focused schools like the Art Institute. I knew that was my route after taking a tour of the local facility. The school was full of freaks and weirdos like me. It was the first time I ever felt like I belonged somewhere.
I chose to major in Interior Design because I liked the idea of a design focus that wasn’t just computer-based. I like to work with my hands and wanted something that would keep my interest. I loved design school; the courses were almost design-based, with some light general ed sprinkled in. After graduating with my BS in Interior Design and Architecture, I got my first design job as a production designer for a modular furniture company. I worked directly with clients and fabricators to build furniture systems in Google SketchUp. It gave me a solid foundation for working with clients. In my free time, I design jewelry and sell it at local craft fairs and on Etsy. I have various creative interests and like keeping my hands busy.
That little jewelry side job landed me my next position as an in-house creative designer for a bottle repurposing company. They needed some jewelry designers and production artists, which is how the owner at the time found me, but it turned into so much more. There, I took on the role of event planner, social media, marketing, jewelry, graphics, and photography. It was fun to have a lot of different types of jobs to do, but ultimately, that company relocated to Las Vegas, and the desert was not for me. I tried freelancing for the first time but wanted stability and a regular paycheck. While at my previous job, I fell in love with graphic design, which is funny because I didn’t want to be someone who worked on a computer in an office all day, but I ended up there anyway. But graphic design was fun; this time, I was working at an agency with many industries and brands to design for. I quickly moved from a production designer to an Art Director position. I loved it. I worked there for 10 years in a variety of positions. Most recently, I was the brand manager for a Fortune 500 Enterprise clientele, creating branding guides and assets, developing curriculums, and training designers in brand compliance. When half of the senior design staff got laid off, I knew that I would be one of the ones to go. The agency never recovered from the pandemic, and I took it as a blessing in disguise. Yes, my very comfortable and reliable salary was no longer trustworthy, but deep down, I had wanted a change for a while. My kids are finally both in elementary school full-time, and it was the perfect time for me to follow my dreams.
I was bored of always being behind the computer and wanted to show my children that I could earn a living by doing what I love. Thus, Bohemian Enigma Design was born. It was born all those years ago with my first Etsy shop. I’ve always loved and resonated with the name; I didn’t want to change it. I tried to turn it into the picture I had in my head. I still have an Etsy shop that sells unique witchy boho jewelry, apparel, and art, and I run my own creative design studio. One that encompasses all of my passions: interior design and decorating, handi-work, painting, and murals, logo and branding design, presentation design, and really whatever else I feel like getting into. I spent a month building my vision and mission and getting myself out there. Just a couple of months later, I have been booked almost full-time. I am so incredibly grateful to be who I am (a weirdo) and do what I love every day.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have just started my endeavors, and so far, it has been smooth; I’ve been able to find clientele and keep busy, which is excellent. But of course, there have been challenges! In my previous agency experience, I was fast and almost always came in under budget; I am doing very different work now, and nearly every job I have taken on takes me double what I think it will. Figuring out pricing and quoting how many hours something will take me is a learning curve. On top of doing the work that I am hired to do by my clients, I also have to do all of the back-end stuff, the bookkeeping, the advertising, the social media, the trying to get my name out there, trying to make enough money to pay my bills and feed my family. It’s all hard work, and I am working harder and longer hours than I have in a long time.
Nonetheless, I love every moment; I can feel the sense of passion that I lost for a minute there. For the first time in over 10 years, I have goals for myself, my business, and my art. I know the struggles will continue, and I have so much to learn, but I have faith in myself, and every moment is worth it to work for myself.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a creative designer with multiple art and design endeavors and skills. I originally went to school to study interior design. Still, I then transitioned into graphic design, and I have always been into designing and making jewelry, refinishing furniture, drawing, painting, crafting, and handiwork. Regarding graphics, I work more in the corporate world, where I work on layouts, documents, presentations, and other print work. My decade of experience as an Art Director and Brand Manager at an agency has informed the lens through which I see graphic design. My love of graphics lies in branding; I love learning about a person, company, or mission and creating a whole vibe around it.
Regarding interior spaces, I am obsessed with bright, vibrant, and bold colors and designs. I like pushing boundaries and want to help bring joy into people’s spaces, whether in or in pixels. I firmly believe that our surroundings have massive influences on our states of mind, and above all, I want to bring joy into the lives of the people around me. When it comes to jewelry, I like bold statement pieces, long, dangly earrings, lots of crystals, and skulls. I’m a bohemian and want to add a touch of whimsy, witchcraft, and macabre to everything I do. Above all else, my knowledge of handiwork and DIY sets me apart. Between my formal education in interior architecture and my lived experience as an avid DIYer with a mechanical and very visual mind, I love to build things out in my mind and then put it all together. It has taken me a long time to learn how to transform the art in my head into something tangible in the real world; at 36 years old, I am finally becoming the artist and designer that I’ve always wanted to be. I am most proud of never giving up and always following my passion. Art and design are part of who I am; it’s in every cell of my body, and using my love to drive my career is a blessing, and I’m proud that I have been able to do that.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
So many people deserve credit for where I am at today. I think of my immediate family first: my mom, who has always supported my creativity and is one of my hardest workers. She taught me to manage money, always do what I want, be disciplined, and work hard—my brother, whose natural creativity has always made me strive for more. I have always looked up to his abilities and been envious of how naturally creativity comes to him. He is only 2 years older than me, but learning from him while growing up was invaluable for me. I will always admire his talents and be grateful for his example. My children’s father is another person I have always looked up to when learning about building. He is an excellent craftsman, artist, woodworker, and builder; watching him over the years, especially the years we spent living off the grid, has taught me so much. The years of working with him and watching him work have given me the know-how, experience, and confidence to call myself a handi(wo)man. Many unique and badass women in my life deserve credit, too. My best friend from college’s courage to go back to school and follow her dreams instead of staying in a profession that didn’t serve her inspires me every day. My sister-in-law works harder than anyone I know because she lives and breathes her passions, always pushes for more, and will not settle until she accomplishes her dreams. One of my best friends from high school believed in me wholeheartedly and let me transform her house for fun. She told me daily that I could start my handi(woman and design business). My therapist, when I told her after I lost my cozy agency job that I didn’t want to go back to working in an office, said, ‘So don’t.’ And when I told her what I wanted to build, she said, ‘So do it.’ And so many other humans that I love dearly. But most of all, my kids inspire me every day to be the best version of myself that I can be. And for giving me the courage to show them you can build a life by following your dreams.
Pricing:
- Handiman Services: Starts at $75
- Wall Murals: Starts at $500
- Interior Design: Starts at $250
- Graphic Design: Starts at $300
- Jewelry and Apparel: Starts at $20
Contact Info:
- Website: http://BohemianEnigmaDesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bohemianenigmadesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kara.kirchhoff.7/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kara-kirchhoff-546172225
- Other: http://BohemianEnigmaDesign.etsy.com
Image Credits
Kara Kirchhoff
