“You reinvent yourself over and over again to get where you want to be,” said Ann Hunsaker.  She and her sister Linda Golden own Sisters Trading Co. on South Padre Island and are in the midst of another reinvention. Their home décor and interior design company, after 29 years in business, will be moving next spring into its own store at 2901 Padre Blvd.

Hunsaker directs interior design and project management, while Golden focuses on retail and assisting with interiors.  Forget about the glamour attributed to interior decorating, Hunsaker said. “Our story is very simple — a lot of hard work.  I feel like our business has survived because we are here every day, always available. The bottom line is customer care. We give people what they are paying for, and we take care of them. When we get a client, we get them for life.” Some clients trust them with every detail, saying, “I can leave it all in your hands.”

Where do the contemporary decorating ideas come from? “It’s a visionary thing. You know what is going to need to be done,” said Hunsaker, about walking into a space that needs design help. Her to-scale sketches are translated into architectural drawings.  The sub-contractors who take on Sisters’ projects — gutting condos, removing walls, painting, installing new kitchens, bathrooms and tile — have typically worked with Sisters for at least 15 years.  “They know what we expect, so they do it right.”

Back in 1986, Sisters opened, retailing antiques and art. During the slow winter seasons, the two women took a trunk show around the state. Their most popular item was their own design called an event tree, which came with five seasonal toppers.

Business has never slowed down since 2008 and Hurricane Dolly. Sisters has been occupied doing makeovers of the island’s 30-year old condos.  “The phone keeps ringing.  Every time owners (and property managers) see what we have done, they want more done,” said Hunsaker.  “We already have people shopping for condos that we can do redo for them.”

The updated features of renovated condos make them seem brand-new — and boost their rental appeal. In September, Sisters signed a contract to makeover 30 condos.

“We try to put in each condo a little bit of whimsy, because it just makes people happy,” said Golden.  “Fung shui is part of our success. It’s how you feel when you walk in a place; it makes the space feel right.”  Hunsaker explained that, “What you do is listen to your customer, watch them and look at them, how they are dressed.  Find the colors that are their comfort zone. Customers are happy with the outcome, because we give them a design that suits their lifestyle.” Not that Sisters intends the layouts to be immutable.

“Keeping a good reputation is so important to us,” said Golden.  That means hiring the right people. “Because we’re sisters, we say we adopt sisters. That’s exactly how we treat them. They have been key since the day we opened.”  In fact, most of the staff has been around long enough to qualify as family: retail manager Peggy Green,  business manager Veronica O’Cana,  Adela Jimenez and Diana Castillo, among others.  Resident dog Monkey has her own fan club.

The sisters hope to hire more likeminded staff, but it has not been easy.  “It has been discouraging trying to find more people who care about the product and what you do.”

The new, larger store represents their personal makeover.  “My sister and I want to do our own designs in furniture.  We’ve got some great ideas. The retail is going to expand to include select ladies’ accessories, original art and unusual things for homes,” said Golden. Her creative side blossoms with the fine art of gift wrapping, adding twigs and ribbons to produce one-of-a-kind packages.

Hunsaker and Golden admitted they are startled by their step into property ownership. They will have 5,000 square feet devoted to retail and design, and 2,000 square feet of climate controlled warehouse-storage, for new and existing furniture and fixtures of units being remodeled. Sample full kitchens and baths, suggesting condo remodels, will be displayed, courtesy of Sisters’ vendors who are aware of the business they can capture. “To see and touch beats talking,” said Hunsaker. The showroom is expected to boost sales on the retail side and vice versa.

Hunsaker and Golden still enjoy going to furniture, gift and accessory markets in High Point and Atlanta, but they are eager for their next re-invention. “We want to continue to work.  We are blessed with good health. Our daughters will be coming down to join us in the future. “

For more information, see sistersinteriors.com. 

This story by Eileen Mattei appears in the November 2015 edition of Valley Business Report. For more stories from the November edition, click on the “Current & Past Issues” tab.