Today we’d like to introduce you to Angie Ricart.
Angie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I studied Architecture and Art Curatorial Studies in Buenos Aires, Argentina. When I first came to Miami, I started working in the Art Industry, where I coordinated and designed a Latin American Art Fair during Art Basel in 2016. Around that same time, I was offered freelance jobs for companies in the Hospitality Industry as an Interior Designer. I saw an opportunity to use my talents and acquired skills and I said, why not? I was still doing something I loved; design, space planning, art. Those initial experiences propelled me into starting an interior design business in Miami, something I never thought I would do but coming from a family of entrepreneurs; I knew I had it in my blood.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh, it was definitely not a smooth road! A lot of bumps come along when you are undertaking a business in a new country! It takes a lot of courage and definitely a lot of passion on what you do. As an entrepreneur, all the challenges and responsibilities of running a business fall upon me and mistakes have been made along the way. However, though courage and conviction, I have been able to surmount them and more importantly, I’ve learned from them and this has allowed me to continue to grow not only as a person but also as a businesswoman. Whenever I face a new challenge, I always say to myself that the best way to learn is by doing and the only way out is through.
The Almost Basic Company – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Almost Basic Company is a Boutique Interior Design Firm based in Miami: we specialize in Hospitality and Commercial Design, we design spaces for Hotels, Retail Stores, Restaurants and Coffee Shops, Bars, you name it! We also take private clients as well, those that are looking to re-design, decorate or remodel their house. Our goal is creating an experience for our clients. It’s about the use, but it’s also about the feeling we provide our clients. Design and Architecture have psychological effects on us, and we accomplished this by using all the elements that compose the space: color, texture, light, and comfort, things that engage all our senses.
I think that having an architectural background gives more technical input to each design, as well as a more holistic approach for the space I am designing. That being said, we do not leave behind the aesthetics: our artful and balanced approach ends up with a beautiful space, and we really take our time to add art, as design pieces. This is enhanced with the contemplation of local character embedded in the project, which is a really important part of it, since the surroundings and location will always play a really important role in the design, making it unique yet “from here.”
As new things for 2020, we are starting an online shop of objects, accents and art handpicked and curated by me, on our website. We are super excited to launch this new feature that compliments the firm and gives a little of The Almost Basic Company to everyone, with original art, photography, pottery, decorative elements.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me is having the privilege to reflect at the end of the day on my struggles and accomplishments and knowing that tomorrow I get to wake up and do something that I love all over again.
I would define success is being able to find the perfect balance between my personal and professional life. To have the ability to spend time with my loved ones, maintain healthy lifestyle habits, and to give back to the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.almostbasic.co
- Phone: 7865703360
- Email: angeles@almostbasic.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostbasicco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostbasicco/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPW6snryNsG8K0Gh20NA6A/
Image Credit:
Personal Photo: Photo by Cecilia Waidatt
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