Andrea Deckard

With her family at her side, Deckard has made solid business decisions that have turned her into a successful business owner at a young age.

As principal and interior designer for A. Deckard Interiors LLC, Deckard works with clients, architects and contractors to create building interiors.

She graduated in 1998 from Missouri State University and worked for J. Webb Design & Associates before striking out on her own.

“My career has been most influenced by my family,” she said. “When I was deciding whether or not to quit my job and start a business, it was my family’s encouragement that gave me the confidence to take that risk.

“The best professional advice that I ever received was from my dad,” she added. “I was deliberating about opening my own company, and he said, ‘What is the absolute worst that could happen?’ Obviously, failure. He asked if I could live with failure – could I physically survive it? My answer was yes, technically.

“Then he asked if I could live with never knowing if I would succeed or fail. That resonated with me. It is the missed opportunities that we regret.”

Prominent projects Deckard has worked on include Heer’s Tower renovation, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Springfield Exposition Center, Harshman Chiropractic Clinic and South Gate Baptist Church.

Deckard volunteers her time and services to support the Boys and Girls Club, American Cancer Society and March of Dimes fund-raisers. She also is on the board for the Construction Specification Institute’s local chapter and is on the committee for the organization’s trade show, which serves as a fund-raising event.

Born: 1976

What book do you currently have open? “There’s a Light on in the Attic,” by Shel Silverstein. I’m reading it to my son, who is only seven months old, so I probably enjoy reading it to him more than he enjoys hearing it.

Quote to live by: “Nobody will believe in you, unless you believe in yourself.” – Liberace