Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabella Cox.
Isabella, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been working in hospitality since I was 15. I started as a host at a local restaurant and instantly fell in love with the energy of it all. Thirteen years later, I’m now the Bar Supervisor at Saint Bibiana here in Savannah. Bartending has been a big part of my life for the past eight years, but what’s really kept me in this industry is something deeper: connection. I’ve always been drawn to people, how we gather, how a space can shift a mood, and how the right environment can bring people together in memorable ways. That curiosity is what eventually led me to interior design.
I grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, in a family that emphasized the importance of showing up for work, for others, and for yourself. I was raised by both strong women and supportive men, but it was the women in my life—especially my mom and grandmother—who shaped the way I move through the world. Some of my earliest memories are of tagging along to their jobs, pretending I worked there too, helping out wherever they’d let me. Watching them show up every day with strength and grace had a lasting impact on me. They didn’t just talk about work ethic, they lived it, and I was paying attention.
In high school, I wasn’t super focused on academics. I was more interested in figuring out who I was outside the classroom. I liked working, being independent, saving up for my own things, and learning through real-world experience. My mom never forced me into picking a path just for the sake of it. She gave me the space to live a little, and that freedom is something I’ll always be grateful for.
After high school, I got my AA in business management and kept bartending full-time. But after a while, I started to feel stuck. I knew I wanted something more, even if I didn’t know exactly what that looked like yet. One night, I was out to dinner with a friend, talking about how lost I felt, and she just looked at me and said, “Bella, what about interior design?” It was such a simple moment, but everything clicked. I had just spent months designing my apartment, rearranging things constantly, paying attention to lighting, mood, and how it all made me feel. I hadn’t even realized how deeply I was already immersed in design. It was one of those lightbulb moments that changed everything.
That conversation led me to start researching schools. Eventually, I found SCAD and visited Savannah, and something just felt right. Now I’m heading into my senior year, and interior design has become this amazing outlet where all the different parts of me come together- the hospitality background, the love of storytelling, and this desire to make people feel something the moment they step into a space.
I still bartend while I’m in school, and I’ve found that these two worlds complement each other well. Working in hospitality has taught me how to anticipate needs, how to read a room, and how people flow through and interact with space, all of which directly influence how I approach design. For me, design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about experience. It’s about creating spaces that care for people the way hospitality does.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road—but honestly, is anything worth doing ever easy? Come on now. The challenges have been real, but so has the growth.
Balancing full-time school studies while working 40+ hours a week in hospitality hasn’t been a walk in the park. It takes a lot of discipline and time management, especially when your creative energy is pulled in two directions. There are days I’ve gone straight from a 10-hour shift behind the bar to a late-night design critique or studio deadline. It’s exhausting, but I care deeply about both sides of my life, and I’ve learned how to pour into each of them in ways that feed each other.
Beyond the logistics, there’s also been that deeper, internal struggle of self-doubt, wondering if I was doing enough, if I was enough. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, especially at a school like SCAD, where talent is everywhere. But I’ve learned that everyone’s path looks different, and mine just happens to be rooted in real-world experience, grit, and a deep understanding of people.
I’ve also navigated burnout and moments where I felt completely overwhelmed. But through all of that, I’ve built resilience. I’ve learned how to advocate for myself, how to slow down when I need to, and how to stay aligned with what I truly care about. Every late night, every early shift, every moment I wanted to give up but didn’t and that’s what’s gotten me here.
And honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The struggles have shaped me into someone who shows up fully, works hard, and cares deeply. I know what I’m working toward, and that keeps me moving forward.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m drawn to designers like Sasha Bikoff and Elmo Studios in New York, who bring a bold, expressive point of view while still grounding their work in meaning and emotion. They’ve inspired me to approach design as both an art form and a tool for connection.
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on was recently through SCAD Serve, where I helped redesign a resident resource center for the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless. That experience reaffirmed that design has the power to care for people and make them feel safe, seen, and supported. It pushed me to think beyond aesthetics and focus on how a space can truly serve the people who use it. This project encouraged me to stay connected to my community and constantly ask myself whether my work meets real human needs. That’s the kind of designer I want to be—someone who creates beauty with purpose and always designs with people in mind.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t about titles or accolades, but it’s about impact. I define success as being able to do work that’s meaningful, honest, and rooted in service to others. It’s about creating spaces that truly support people, whether that means designing a luxury hotel lobby that makes someone feel inspired or helping build a community center that provides comfort and dignity. Success also means staying grounded in who I am, showing up with consistency, and remaining connected to the people around me. If I can continue growing, creating with intention, and making others feel seen through my work, then I consider that a success.
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