Today we’d like to introduce you to Darby Samargo.
Hi Darby, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My training is in Architecture and Fine Arts and I began my career as an Architectural Designer working with a team of creatives with various backgrounds from graphic design to interior design to visual merchandising. It was a remarkable place to witness and be a part of creative problem solving. I was able to later wield my skills in an apprenticeship with an architectural color consultant who really laid the groundwork for a particular niche in combining architectural history, design, exterior color and marketing. All of these pieces blending together was ground-breaking and became my profession, by working with clients in both residential and commercial projects.
I bought the company, The Color People, from my former mentor and colleague and carried it on to continue in exterior color consulting nationwide and have since opened the doors of my brick-and-mortar shop on Main Street in Newberry to retail. It is an extension of what I do, who I am and what I promote … Color! I carry an assortment of art and craft supplies as well as gifts, cards, candles and homegrown artwork. It is a special space and I wanted to share it with the community.
I also host small groups for Creativity Time-outs and participate in local events for the arts, schools and neighborhood projects.
I am also a part of the Local Art on View (LAOV) committee here in Newberry and our goal is to get Art into every nook and cranny we can find to promote our creatives and energize our commitment to make a cultural impact and improve our community’s opportunities and growth through the arts. We have organized the second year’s art exhibit of regional artists that are on display at our town’s premiere venue, The Newberry Opera House. This is a collection we plan on growing, marketing and hopefully building similar events around in our area to showcase all artistic mediums and education.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say that it was not a ‘straight’ road, for sure. The twists and turns are what build character – and toughness. It also gives space to adjust and evolve and see what comes from specific needs. The flexibility I have as a business owner is a precious gift. To be able to balance a creative career AND two wild and wonderful boys is a magic trick, but it’s all that you don’t see that’s the work, right?! It is exactly what I want to be doing right now – so I am fortunate for it all – twists and gravel roads a-plenty.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It’s All About the Color!
My business provides experience, expertise, engagement and enlightenment. It begins and ends with color. I design exterior color designs for all types of buildings – from historical homes and single-family developments to office buildings and mixed-use projects to Main Street Architectural Color Planning. It is critical to understand how color plays a role in each aspect of adding value. We want to add value to our homes – for resale purposes and for us personally. We are focused on a return on investment for business properties and portfolios. We are interested in how to build our brand and reach target audiences through marketing. All of these strategies are a part of what I do. And color is the solution.
It even extends to the retail side of my business, where I provide products that inspire creativity and hopefully allows anyone a chance to grow and play and expand their ability to use color and better understand its reach.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My best friend and I loved building forts. We had an area on my property out in the woods where we set up a wooden platform and fairly slim walls (with not really much to them). We had ladder steps up the tree and found an old stop sign somewhere that we hung on the wall to add some pop. One day my Dad called me to the front door where a policeman was standing with a pretty authoritarian look on his face. I was then questioned on where exactly I got that stop sign, a property of the state’s, not mine. I stumbled with my answers but it ended fairly enough – me giving up my fort’s only ornamentation. And my Dad said (many, MANY times after that) that I’d look good in black and white stripes – if I really wanted it back.
Moral of the story: A little Pop goes a long way … and in most cases is worth the story! 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ColorPeople.com
- Instagram: @we.know.color
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057238167229
