Venus grew up in the Compton suburb of Los Angeles with her sister Serena where they got famously trained by their father Richard from a young age. Through their dedication and hard work, they became the most successful tennis players between the 1990s and early 2000s. She has won seven Grand Slams in the open era and accomplished multiple records. Although tennis has always been the biggest objective in her life, the player was encouraged to pursue other interests. In 2002, she established her interior designing firm V Starr which has grown into an award-winning company that curates the best designs for commercial and residential purposes. Valued at $60 million, the company continues to create a difference.
From deciding to pursue a new business along with playing tennis to creating a balance between her separate jobs, Venus Williams has put her heart and soul into V Starr. Let’s take a look at how she started and grew her multi-million dollar firm.
3 Finding Her Passion And Pursuing It
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As the star player spent most of her time practicing tennis, her parents encouraged her to discover herself outside the court. When she was a teenager, she realized her passion for design and later decided to pursue it. According to Elle Decor, the athlete decided to attend school and pursue interior design as her parents wanted her to do something besides tennis. With the encouragement of her family to start the business, she founded V Starr in 2002 in West Palm Beach, Florida, at just 23, after completing her Master’s in Interior Architecture.
When William launched her company, she was already a two-time Wimbledon and two-time US Open champion. The fame helped her promote her company on a larger scale than any other start-up; her first client was Carlos Boozer, a two-time NBA All-Star Player, as noted by Yahoo News. She designed his Miami beachfront condo while the player got signed with Utah Jazz. She transformed the residential space with her talent, and work began pouring in for the tennis star, who also collaborated with A-listers over the years to create highly acclaimed projects.
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2 Learning Entrepreneurship With Interior Design
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Williams and her staff of designers have worked on several high-end projects, including designing the Midtown Athletic Club in Chicago. In 2018, she landed her biggest deal when commissioned to design a 324-unit building. As reported by Forbes, her firm partnered with Airbnb partner Niido, a group of global complexes, to add her creativity to work in Kissimmee, Florida. Her work included designing common amenities like the gym, swimming pool, game room, and concierge service station to offer residents a hotel-like experience in the apartment complex. Since Niido landed a $200 million deal the same year from Brookfield Property Partners, she might find herself working with the company soon.
The tennis star has also worked on designing tennis stadiums, youth centers, hotels, and universities. Venus’s other notable project was designing the Oriana Luxury Apartments in New York City in 2019. While she partnered with her sister for Double’s tournaments, the sisters reunited for a new project when she designed Serena’s stunning Florida home. The older sister did a three-year gut renovation on her home that now features a gallery-like entrance foyer, a secret karaoke room, and an expansive pool in the backyard.
1 Winning On And Off The Court
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Ever since Venus came to prominence with her designs in 2017, V Starr Interiors has been awarded several accolades over the years. As mentioned by V Starr, the company has won NEWH Golden Palm Award for the Tennis lounge designed in the Midtown Athletic Club. In 2021, the company also won the Interior Design HIP Award in the Hospitality Department. As a trained and seasoned professional in designing, the designer has served as a keynote speaker at various events, including the Indie Congress DTLA.
Williams’ entrepreneurial spirit does not end with V Starr Interiors. Similar to her sister, Serena, the tennis legend has invested in and founded other ventures to continue her journey to diversify her portfolio. Along with her sister, she is a part-owner of the Miami Dolphins. The older sister is also the founder and owner of the athleisure brand EleVen, made specifically for women’s athletic wear. Her clothing line offers tennis gear and everyday activewear for women. Venus has also delved into the world of restaurants after becoming part-owner of Jamba, a blended fruit and vegetable juice company.
The tennis star found passion outside the tennis field and ensured to keep her dream alive. With a spirit to make a living with her entrepreneurial abilities, Venus Williams has taken V Starr Interiors and her team to new heights. In March 2022, her company V Starr collaborated with American design company Wolf-Gordon to launch an upholstery collection Muse.
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Sources: Elle Decor, Yahoo News, Forbes, V Starr
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