Karin Bohn is a Vancouver-based Interior Designer at the helm of her own full-service design agency, House of Bohn. Karin founded House of Bohn in 2009 and has grown the business rapidly. In nine years, House of Bohn has become a thriving interior design agency with a diverse and stunning portfolio. This portfolio ranges from luxury residential properties to restaurants and boutiques, always maintaining Karin’s mission to design valuable spaces. Karin also launched a YouTube channel in 2015 that now boasts an impressive 60,000 subscribers. Karin uses YouTube as an outlet for self-expression and a chance to give back to her growing audience by helping them navigate their own career paths.
What does babes supporting babes mean to you?
You don’t have to blow out another candle’s flame in order to let yours shine.
Do you have a life mantra/motto that you live by?
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
What’s your spirit animal?
The butterfly. (I had to take a test to find out… but it’s very accurate!) Apparently, the butterfly is the most emblematic totem animal symbolizing personal transformation.
What’s your proudest babe moment or achievement?
Growing my business over the last 10 years. I don’t know that there’s one particular moment that stands out, but rather just the commitment to keep going.
What is your most used app?
What product would you seriously stockpile if you found out they weren’t selling it anymore?
My “Precisely Brows” pencil in color #4 by Benefit Cosmetics.
What emoji best describes you?
Jazz Hands. I get excited by everything.
What was the best piece of advice you received when you were first starting your career?
“The genius thing that we did, was that we didn’t give up…” Jay Z said it, and it’s been a piece of advice that I’ve followed ever since.
Who should EVERYONE be following right now?
Me! My Youtube channel is blowing up!
When I dance I look like…
Britney Spears in the 90s.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Eeek. Nope. Singing is one thing I can’t do!
Tell us about a Babe who has supported you?
Christina Sestan from Citrus Coaching. This woman is a powerhouse of a personal and business coach. I’ve been coaching with her for over 10 years on and off and she has been an incredible support for me on so many different levels. I have so much respect for her as a helpful and consistent rock in my career and life.
How would you describe your personal style?
Ecclectic. A little edgy. Design professional.
What’s your favourite thing about living in Vancouver?
After 18 years here, I love the community that I’ve built. I was originally born in Dawson Creek, B.C. and moved to Kelowna in B.C.’s Okanagan where I grew up and went to high school. I didn’t move to Vancouver until 2000, and at the time I didn’t really know anyone. But this is where I’ve built my business, established roots and created a community of awesome, amazing people. I love it here now and don’t want to leave.
What’s the most fulfilling part of your career?
Now after 10 years of having my own business the best part is the type of clients and projects that we attract, as well as my team and the people around me.
What inspired you to start pursuing interior design?
I always knew that I wanted to do something creative and I always knew that I would have my own business. Since I was a little girl, I was into style and décor and I used to watch my dad build things. Watching construction happen around me from a young age is what fueled my passion for interior design.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I binge watch A LOT of TV. I can’t help it, I’m a sucker for a good cliff-hanger.
What quality are you working on yourself right now?
I’m working on being more fearless and honest. I’m working on just expressing how I feel and what I think in the moment without censoring it. It’s hard to fully be yourself, it takes guts.
What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome in business?
The biggest hurdle is just showing up every day. There are so many days and times when I don’t want to do what I’m about to do, but I have to push against that and show up. It’s the practice of showing up every day, day after day, that has allowed me to build the brand that I have and to establish myself at this scale in my thirties. If I keep doing this, where will I be in my forties?! The answer to that is exciting and what keeps me going. But showing up every day isn’t always easy.
What advice do you have for those trying to break into the interior design industry?
Decide whether you want to do creative work or whether you want to run a business. It’s very difficult to do both and the answer to that will help you shape your career.
Click here to visit The Babe Shop!
Keep up with Karin on Instagram @karinbohn and @houseofbohn
Introduction written by Lindsay Pearce.
Photography by Ryan Pugsley.