Finding Your True Passion
Dixie Willard, founder of Poised and Plumb, shares her unique journey from mechanical engineering to interior design and how she found her truth along the way.
She also discusses the challenges of balancing career ambitions with family life, the importance of allowing children to explore their interests, and the support systems needed for parents pursuing education and work. Dixie shares insights into her business, which helps clients manage the complexities of home renovation projects, and her aspirations for the future.
More About Dixie Willard
Dixie Willard is the founder of Poised & Plumb, where she helps interior designers, contractors, and homeowners bring structure, strategy, and confidence to renovation and new-build projects. With 20 years of experience in interior design and a sharp focus on project strategy, she simplifies the messy middle of construction through expert guidance, proactive planning, and straightforward communication.
Her career didn’t start in project strategy. It started with raising kids, supporting her husband through a 20-year military career, and learning to carve out a path that honored both her family and her ambitions. Along the way, she pivoted through mechanical engineering, mathematics, architecture, interior design, and business with each step building the skillset that now powers Poised & Plumb.
Once her children were grown, she stepped into large-scale residential design, led product strategy at a design tech startup, and ultimately launched her own business to help others navigate complex projects without the overwhelm. Now an empty nester based in East Tennessee, she brings calm confidence to every project, whether coaching a designer through a renovation or troubleshooting a build-from-scratch timeline.
She’s spoken at national industry conferences, co-hosted the Design+Style podcast, and recently wrapped up a three-month road trip with her husband through 25 national parks. Her mission? To make home projects feel structured, smart, and totally doable so her clients can focus on living the life they’re building.
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