Being able to give something back to those who are in the position you were in when you started. I look at those who contact me in regards to being “trapped” in corporate with a desire to follow their dreams and I try to make sure I give them the road map to success I followed and also offer words of advice. I look at the little girl in a class room with the world telling her she has to follow the math or science discipline in order to be successful and I offer her an opportunity to see the world of design through my eyes. At the end of the day, it’s not about success. It’s about significance. What significant difference have I made in someone’s life.

Goal yet to be achieved

I would like to get the store opened. It is going to be a great accomplishment to actually close on the retail space and an even greater accomplishment to open the doors to the public.

Best practical advice

Be planful in your business ventures. Set small goals that will get you to your larger goals.

Mentor?

My dad because he is a realist. He keeps me grounded in my thought processes. At the end of the day we have completely different tolerances for risk taking. But I need to hear his conservative views in order to be sure I thought of all of the possible outcomes before I take a chance. He is a brilliant mind and a visionary, and just a little cautious!

What motivated you to get started?

I had a desire to be creative. I loved to express emotions through design ever since I could remember. I would invoke a feeling from a person when they entered my space before I ever knew what that meant. I knew if I had that kind of influence over people with my designs, I should do it more often and on a bigger scale to see what natural talents I could unleash.

Like best about what you do?

I like being able to take a space like a lump of molding clay and create a work of art. I love to look at the before shot and the after shot of a room and see the difference I have brought into the clients space.

Like least about what you do?

The thing I like least about what I do is that I can’t do it all. I know I have an analytical part of me that wants to control every aspect of Le Creatif Design. It has been a great challenge for me to understand that in order to create a successful and sustainable business, you have to allow the work to distributed in a productive manner. Also, the business should be able to run without me when need be. The only way to do that is bring in competent individuals to assist in the growth and development of the business.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was 10 I believe I said I wanted to be a psychiatrist. My dad majored in Psychology and I just wanted to be like my daddy. I had no idea what it meant to be a psychiatrist. I just knew my dad had a job and most other dads in my neighborhood did not. So he must have been smart! He told me to look towards a business degree if I wanted stability. All the while I was sewing doll clothes, painting, drawing and redecorating my bedroom every chance I had.

What was your first job?

My first job was in a bakery decorating cakes. I was the best high school student decorator! I loved it. It did not pay much but I could draw on cakes and work with people.

Biggest pastime outside of work

As a small business owner, I do not have time that is designated “outside of work.” But when I am in a designated “down time” per friends and loved ones, I love to spend time at the movies and trying out some of Atlanta’s great restaurants. If I said shopping, I would have to admit it was for furniture and home accessories. If I said traveling, I would have to admit it was to look for unique pieces for the store. If I said reading, I would have to say I read books about building small business, interior design principles, how-to books on crafts and design. That is just what I enjoy doing all day everyday!

Three interesting facts about yourself

1. In 2007, I was nominated Black Enterprise Magazine’s Rising Star of the year.
2. In 2005, I was a winner of the Miller Urban Entrepreneur Series Business Plan Contest.
3. I used to dance on TV as a preteen on a local dance television show!

Three characteristics that describe you

1. I am a self-motivated individual with the tenacity to achieve my goals of entrepreneurial success.
2. I am a spiritual, God-fearing person. I believe everything that is happening to me in terms of business was set in my path long before I knew anything about it. My faith has me where I am today.
3. I have a silly personality! Most people are shocked by how silly I am when they get to know me.

Three greatest passions

1. My passion to design and create beautiful spaces that represent my clients’ personalities is what keeps me going.
2. Creating a business legacy for my family to build on.
3. Establishing a foundation to allow other young minorities the opportunity to express themselves creatively as a career.

Favorite book

Right now, its “The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It” by Michael E. Gerber. This is my second time reading it and it sheds so much light on what small business owners think they know about business and how to keep from falling into the trap many business owners have in the past.

Favorite cause

Diabetes awareness. My sister died at 33 with four children from this disease. She was diagnosed at eight and lived a very difficult life as a result of it. Even after her death, I still have family members being diagnosed with the disease as well as millions of other Americans. The disease they have is from our lack of knowledge around what we eat and how we live. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Who would you like to be contacted by?

It has always been a dream of mine to be on the Oprah Winfrey Show and/or in the Oprah Winfrey O Home Magazine. I believe she has done what it is I think all business owners should strive to do: market the person as the brand. After that the future business opportunities are limitless. On a more personal level, I would love to be included in her network of people in order for me to learn from her and even have a roundtable discussion with her on subjects like business, dreams and aspirations, books and recipes. I just want to prove that great minds do think alike.

Want to get in touch with Angela Page?

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