222: Christina Cruz | Inspired Design

Today we welcome Christina Cruz, owner and principal designer of her namesake design studio based in Austin, Texas. In this episode, Christina shares her transition from a seventeen-year career in media sales to a thriving interior design business. We also discuss how a lifetime of influence from her father provided a creative foundation for her meaningful approach to design, and Christina reveals her number-one resource for design knowledge and information. Spoiler alert: it's not a classroom. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Christina shares how she transitioned from a long career in media sales with companies like Microsoft, Yahoo, and BuzzFeed into launching her Austin-based interior design firm. She reflects on how her father's lifelong passion for interiors, architecture, hospitality, and creating meaningful spaces shaped her creative foundation. Christina discusses the leap of faith involved in building her design business while still working a full-time corporate job. She explains how her background in psychology and sales helps her listen deeply, solve problems, and serve clients through emotional storytelling. Christina shares why job sites, contractors, artisans, and hands-on experience have been her most valuable design education. She emphasizes the importance of partnering with skilled tradespeople and understanding how design details are actually executed. Christina discusses how her Latina heritage and exposure to Mexican artists and artisans influence her design perspective and passion for meaningful, culturally rooted design. She shares how gratitude, family, and staying grounded in her own path help her navigate entrepreneurship and define success. NOTABLE QUOTES "It's never too late to reinvent yourself or start over. And you can do that at any moment in time." "When you feel lit up, you'll never work a day in your life because yes, it's hard work." "Part of design is also being really flexible and being nimble and being able to adapt." "My personal definition of success has to be more time with my family." SUPPORTING RESOURCES Christina Cruz Interiors Website: https://www.christinacruzinteriors.com/ Christina Cruz Interiors on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinacruzinteriors/ SPONSOR LINKS Design Manager: https://designspec.com/survivalguide Interior Design Society: https://interiordesignsociety.org/