Mark Squibb / September 15, 2023
Samantha Thorne, 29, of Witless Bay was named the recipient of Youth Venture’s Newfoundland and Labrador Excellence in Marketing Award at the group’s 26th annual award show this August.
Throne is both owner and principal designer of Heart + Home Design Co, and offers clients interior design and project manager services.
“It was very unexpected, but obviously very exciting and an honour,” said Thorne.
She launched the business in May of this year, but had been working as a designer for six years prior to branching out on her own.
Her interest in the field goes back even further.
“I’ve loved the residential construction industry ever since I was a little girl,” said Thorne. “My dad did a three-year renovation on our home, from when I was six until I was nine, and I was so interested every step of the way. I think it’s just really fascinating. I’m very creative, but I’m also a very technical person, and I feel that interior design really marries the two really well. And me, personally, I get so excited working with individual clients and really tailoring to their project needs and specific style.”
After giving birth to a daughter in 2022, Throne was unable to return to work because of a lack of available childcare.
“I thought about it a lot, and said, ‘You know, this is as good a time as any to start my own business,’” said Throne. “It’s something that I’ve always planned on doing. I thought maybe it was a little further in my future, but everything lined up for me to start it now and I’m so happy that I did.”
She encouraged those who have a dream of running their own business one day to chase that dream.
“It might sound cliché, but if it’s something you’re passionate about, if it’s something you want to do for the rest of your life, do it,” said Thorne. “It’s not going to be easy, its going to be difficult. Every path is different to getting to the point of where you’re content doing what you’re doing. But even the hard days are worth it, because I get to do what I love every single day. I’m not going to a job I don’t want to be at.”
Youth Ventures is a not-for-profit organization funded by Atlantic Canada’s Community Business Development Corporations, including the Celtic CBDC, that helps youth and adults ages 12-29 start their own businesses.
Samantha Thorne of Witless Bay was recently awarded Youth Venture’s Excellence in Marketing award. Thorne is owner and principal designer of Heart + Home Design Co., a company she founded earlier this year. Submitted photo.
