Inspired.news recently had the opportunity to meet Venus Williams, inspiring athlete and entrepreneur. What follows is our exclusive interview about her interior design firm, V*Starr Interiors, located in Jupiter, FL.

Why did you create V*Starr Interiors?
I have an appreciation for all things artistic. I created V*Starr because I wanted to express myself creatively using space. Design mirrors tennis: no two design solutions are alike, and no two points in tennis are alike! How involved are you in the day to day operations of V*Starr? I am very involved in all aspects of V*Starr. I learn from my V*Starr team and I like to think they learn from me as well!

In what ways is your training as an athlete an asset to your business ventures?
Training as an athlete prepares you for life. Setting goals, preparing, and learning how to recover from losses are things you have to master in tennis as well as in business. It’s about learning how to deal with failure, learning how to win, enjoying the process and coming out better and on top.

Tell us what you love about travelling, and share some of your favorite places.
I have a major carpet obsession. I always look at carpets around the world, and my favorites are Turkish carpets. I love the sights and sounds of Istanbul: the outdoor markets, the east meeting the west, and of course browsing carpets! Some of my other favorite places include Rome, Moscow, Hong Kong and Melbourne, Australia. Managing a team of employees sounds very different from a solo tennis career.

Have you enjoyed the differences or are they more similar than they appear?
Tennis can be a solo sport, and managing a team is all about coming together. I love working with people and most of all I enjoy seeing everyone grow into their potential and love what they are doing. That is when people can be at their best, and in our case creative best.

Who are your interior design mentors?
Some of my favorite designers include Philippe Stark and Kelly Wearstler. I think they are amazing, and have created their own iconic style by bringing out what they have within themselves.

You have a degree in fashion design. How has that helped you with interior design?
The basics of design are universal: rhythm, balance, harmony. I use those principles in both arenas of design. It’s interesting because I could not decide whether to go to school for fashion design or interiors and I choose fashion because it was something Serena and I could do together. I don’t think she was into interiors as much as I was.

What’s next for V*Starr?
We are excited to be working on numerous hospitality and commercial projects. Some of the projects that are most near and dear for us are projects for young people, like community centers, charter schools, or centers for child development. While creating beautiful and breathtaking designs for hotels and the like is amazing, it’s truly those projects that touch our heart and give validity to our profession. We bring the same sense of style and design to those projects, making them truly special. Thank you Venus!
For more on V*Starr Interiors, visit http://www.vstarrinteriors.com .