Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Ferreras-Tokan
Hi Heather, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Queens, New York, to a West Indian Black woman and a NY White Jewish man. It doesn’t get anymore New York than that—and this cosmic mix has helped me appreciate not only differences in approaches to problem solving, but also the wonderful variety of perspectives life has to offer.
My upbringing was rife with art, culture, and while my parents instilled in me the notion that love and creativity can transcend anything—it was gnawing question of HOW people live that always obsessed me. I will return to this later.
At the prestigious LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, I studied the Martha Graham technique and ballet. As a dancer, you must have discipline, but I only appreciated this later when I became a designer.
Because essentially as a designer— you are seer, choreographer and storyteller in one. The dramatist/actor/director Dennis Leroy Kangalee’s passion for such a dynamic inspired me greatly. Not only because he is an artist I admire, but he is my oldest brother. And I have often learned from his work in the theater and how to gently apply that to the world of design and building.
Kangaleee’s active involvement in the arts inspires me to honor my commitments to myself and my clients. I recognize that the world can be unpredictable, so I must remain proactive and avoid relying on last-minute choices. Even during times when I don’t have design clients lined up, I strive to keep designing, maintain a structured plan, and nurture the fire in my heart and soul.
In 2015, after a decade in Florida. I proposed to my husband Shawn, a builder, artist, and dedicated craftsman, that we form our own design-build studio and pursue our dream of designing and building homes, improving the spaces we care about and inhabit…all while asking HOW do we live?
How one lives at home is the foundation to and of everything. We know we can could curate beautiful interiors for homeowners who have a vision but do not necessarily know how to bring it to life! I started teaching myself about design styles and some of the influential designers in the industry.
We began small, working as subcontractors for Home Depot and gradually building our portfolio with investors in the home-flipping industry.
After joining Houzz in 2020, we were able to focus on creative projects, which helped us really build our portfolio. Initially, we frequently struggled financially, spending more on advertising than we earned. However, after meeting our business coach, Rick Franzo in 2021, I learned the essentials of entrepreneurship and began charging for my designs. His guidance helped me structure our business effectively. Rick Franzo saved us from drowning. We were definitely on a sinking ship before meeting him.
I also joined Kimberley Sheldon’s Business of Design, gaining valuable strategies for running a profitable interior design business. Through this network, I met talented designers who have become not only my dear friends, but also whom I can lean on when I face challenges with designing, with my clients, and at times life. Because what is interior designing when all is said and done? It is life…
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
To be honest, it hasn’t been a completely smooth journey for me. Working capital often presents a challenge for many entrepreneurs, and it continues to be an obstacle for me, especially in today’s unpredictable market. Finding my “ideal client” has been a real struggle. While we’ve had some incredible, large-scale clients, I’m still on the lookout for that perfect fit. The biggest challenge I face is maintaining consistency—having a steady pipeline and clients waiting in the queue.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Tokan Interiors is a boutique, woman-owned design-build studio, offering a customized, turnkey approach with a focus on delivering exceptional client satisfaction. Our success is driven by referrals and positive client feedback.
At our core, we are designers, dedicated to creating distinctive spaces with meticulous attention to detail, shaped by personal style. Backed by a talented team of architects, engineers, interior designers, and subcontractors, we ensure every space not only looks stunning but also functions seamlessly.
I believe that form follows function, which is the foundation of our approach. We strive to achieve harmony between minimalist aesthetics and practical efficiency. While it’s a concept that’s simple to remember, it’s challenging to achieve, and it’s this pursuit of excellence that motivates us.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t really subscribe to the idea of good or bad luck. Instead, I trust my instincts and pray that I’ve made the right decisions. There have been moments when my intuition was spot on, and others when I wished I had taken my husband’s advice! Nonetheless, we are truly fortunate to have had the support of my parents and oldest brother during times when we were close to struggling. Their help has been invaluable in keeping us afloat.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Tokaninteriors.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/tokaninteriors
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/tokaninteriors
Image Credits
Headshot- Adaliz DeSantis Photography
Project photography – 3Dography
