Woman in Business Feature
For Laura Parsons, the creation of beautiful spaces has always been the business. What's new is that West Austin can now walk into her new store to buy a gift for a friend, secure a vision for their home, or meet with Parsons on-site for a design consultation.
After more than two decades running Parsons I.D., she recently expanded her business to include a storefront she calls Branch+Bird. The home furnishing store and design studio, nestled in Westlake, showcases a wide assortment of carefully curated items for every area of the home, inspiring anyone who walks through the door.
"I've been designing for 20 plus years," she says, "and I’ve been wanting to open a store for some time." The timing finally aligned when her twins headed to college, and she began looking for a space, a process that took her about a year.
The name itself has a story, a natural fit given her instinct for creating spaces that feel like home. What goes into building a nest? Branches. Birds. And just like that, Branch+Bird was named.
The store, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5:30 pm, is organized into room-specific spaces: living, bedroom, kitchen, bath, so that customers can visualize and be inspired. The goal, Parsons explains, is to make good design accessible to everyone, not just those who hire a designer.
"Not everybody can afford a designer because it is a luxury service," she says. "But we have a lot of beautiful things to offer." They include items such as charming dish towels, pretty olive oil containers, napkins that make the table feel special, pillows, vintage furniture pieces, rugs, linens, art, and more. Upholstery, drapery, and custom cabinetry selections are also available. Parsons and support staff, all trained in design, are on hand to aid in decision-making.
And for those who do want to take the next step to secure design help, Parsons I.D. is there, too. "If you want to see my style," she tells prospective clients, "go to the store. That's me.” A gallery of past projects is available on her design website at https://www.parsonsid.com/.
Running two businesses simultaneously has meant building a team she trusts. Along with her in-store support and architect, she also manages a bookkeeper, a photographer, and a social media specialist. The circle of professionals rounds out the operation; each, she says, is essential.
Her advice for women thinking about taking a leap of their own? "It all starts with a dream. You may not know how to do it, but just baby step into it." She pauses, then adds simply: "I'm one of the lucky ones. I get to do what I love."
