Working Mom: Christa of Salvaged Soul

With an impeccable eye for design, and amazing woodworking talents, Christa Paarni’s Salvaged Soul creations are lustworthy! Not only is she a skilled artist, but she has 2 little boys she is head over heels for. This talented, hard-working, and passionate business woman and mom takes us behind the scenes of her life on our business blog with inspiring words and a peak at her work! And trust us, you will be seeing much more of her in the future!

 

Name: Christa Paarni

Company: Salvaged Soul

Title: Owner/ Designer/ Builder

City: Canyon Lake

Kids: River 6, Kashe 3

 

Tell us a little about Salvaged Soul and how it got started! What’s the story behind the name?

I started Salvaged Soul in early 2013 making wood framed mirrors. People were really digging them and they were selling pretty well. I had a client ask if I could build her an end table that she can put next to her fireplace and use it to set her cable boxes on with storage underneath for firewood. I got the material to make it and I designed and built what is now my most popular end table to date. Everything pretty much snowballed from there. People loved the fact that they can have a say in their furniture design and finish. The next piece I built was a bench, then a coffee table, now I can’t even name a piece of furniture I haven’t built.

I came up with the name Salvaged Soul before I even knew what this company would turn into. Salvaged is just kind of a good description of my style in general. Soul just made sense, I put my heart and soul into everything I do in my life. I’m a very passionate person. So there I had it Salvaged Soul, it was perfection then and still is now.

 

What inspired you to start your own business?

My childhood. I grew up with a family full of entrepreneurs. I saw and lived what it took to make a business successful from a very young age. The freedom we had as a family to go on month long vacations and leave on the weekends for little getaways was something I wanted to manifest into my own life.

 

We’re big fans of your pieces, what inspires your designs?

First of all, thank you so much! It still hits me the same way it did with my very first piece of furniture when I receive compliments about my work.

I would say most of my inspiration comes from my wandering soul. I could walk around downtown streets for days and get inspired by anything from a planter or sign. I love being at the beach I feel like it opens my mind up. All my furniture, even my more modern pieces still have a very earthy raw touch. I hand pick every single piece of wood. So for some designs I may be inspired by the wood itself, the uniqueness of the grain or placement of the knots.

 

You’ve designed and made so many different wooden products! Do you have a favorite project?

This is a tough one but if I had to choose I would say my beds. I feel like every bedroom needs to be a sacred space that is each clients zen. Not to mention they are all very versatile and functional with endless customization options.

 

Tell us about your beautiful family! How do you balance being a Mom to two little boys and running your own business?

Let’s be real here, I don’t balance much of anything. I think it takes a special kind to brave being a “working mom” especially when you run your business out of your home. You never know when your baby boy is gonna be screaming for more milk while you’re trying to close a deal on the phone hidden in the corner of the bathroom. So here’s where I’m going with this, let life happen. Don’t hold your self standards too high. You’re only human and you’re trying your hardest. I keep my kids very involved. They are in the garage while I work, they go with me to buy material almost every time, they ride with me on deliveries, sometime they even play with my clients kids while we meet up. My boys are immune to it now. It’s just a day to day thing. Just throw your hands up and go with it. Life is too precious and so is being a mother. But just because you’re a mother does not mean you have to throw your dreams out. Make it happen together.

 

What is your favorite part about being a mom?

I truly can say everything, I was born to me a mom. My boys give me more joy in my life than I ever even dreamed of. Every day is a gift and I’ll take it, even if there’s a tantrum leaving the park or a freak out because I don’t have any more quarters for the toy machines. Being able to teach and learn from your own little human is by far the best feeling in the world.

How do you find space and time for yourself to be the best mom and business woman you can be?

Honestly, any time I have away is mostly work related. Which I am totally fine with because my clients and my work both rock. Whether it be going to an interior design event, trade show, or even to meet a new client that wants a custom piece from me. I sometimes feel like I hit the jackpot. What I do for work is what I would do on my days off too. Now I’m not saying I’ll turn down a spa day or wine tasting girls day, those things are always a good rejuvenation as well.

 

What’s the best advice you’ve received that you carry into your business and daily life?

My mom has always pounded it in my head to be a positive thinker and always value what I have. No matter what the situation may be, appreciate and look at the good in your life. Not the negative. Never dwell, life is too short to not be happy.

 

What is one piece of encouragement you’d like to pass along to other working moms like yourself?

This sounds cliche but it’s the truth, never give up! Keep pushing for what you want because I promise if you want it bad enough you’ll work hard enough for it and it will happen.

 

 

Favorite activity to do with your kids: Beach Day

Beauty Secret: Sunscreen

Someone You would love to work with someday: Bethenny Frankel (again)

Guilty Pleasure: Loud Music

I can’t live without: Aviator Ray-Ban Sunglasses

 

Vendors

Photography: London Light Photography
Hair & Makeup: Samantha Touw