Women, In Their Own Words: Rhonnika Clifton

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In this installment of our Women, In Their Own Words series, we sit down with Rhonnika Clifton, who is the visionary founder of R J Clifton Designs. With over 15 years of experience in residential, commercial, and multi-layered interior design, Rhonnika brings a depth of purpose to every project she takes on. In her interview with DesignDash, Rhonnika shares how her creative process has evolved over the years, the role of intuition in her design work, and the challenges and triumphs of running her own business.

She also opens up about how being a woman in design has influenced her approach, and why enhancing visibility for women of color in the creative industry is still incredibly important. She is a mentor, a visionary, and an inspiring leader who combines creativity with business savvy—a necessity when running your own design firm! We hope you enjoy her WITOW interview and encourage you to read her project feature in the latest issue of DesignDash Magazine.

Women, In Their Own Words: Rhonnika Clifton

DesignDash: If you could listen to only one musical artist while working, who would it be and why?

Rhonnika Clifton: Ok, so this one is funny because I love my choice’s talent, but not his character. My answer would have to be NeYo. He is a student of two of my all-time favorite artists, Michael Jackson and Babyface, a songwriter, producer, and artist. His first album, In My Own Words (’06), is one that I can listen to from front to back every day as if it’s my first time. There’s something in his music that connects with me, and it keeps me grounded while I work.

DesignDash: What’s the most unusual source of inspiration you’ve found for your work?

Rhonnika Clifton: The most unusual source of inspiration I’ve found would probably be animals—specifically birds and insects. The colors and textures of their feathers and bodies are breathtaking. I’m no expert, but I often find myself captivated by the complexities in their movements and appearance. They’re a beautiful reminder of the intricate details that exist in nature, which I bring into my design work.

DesignDash: If you could collaborate with any historical figure, who would it be and what would you create together?

Rhonnika Clifton: If I could collaborate with any historical figure, it would be Jesus. As a carpenter, he created beautiful things with his hands. I’m a designer, and he’s Jesus THE Christ, so this would literally be a match made in heaven. I’d love to design my dream homestead with him—custom family homes on a sprawling 10-15-acre property, complete with a bunker, a multi-car garage, a gym, trails, a koi pond, and more.

DesignDash: Do you have a must-do creative ritual before starting a project?

Rhonnika Clifton: Prayer. It’s my must-do for every aspect of my life, including work. It centers me, provides clarity, and ensures that the space I’m creating reflects my purpose and intentions.

DesignDash: If your creative work were a color palette, which colors would be essential?

Rhonnika Clifton: People always ask me if my favorite color is pink because of my home office, but I don’t have just one favorite. I love the entire rainbow and every shade and tone it comes in. However, my essential color palette would be white, black, hot pink, and brass (if that counts as a color, haha!). These shades blend timelessness with a touch of boldness and personality.

DesignDash: How do you manage the business side of being a creative?

Rhonnika Clifton: The business side definitely wasn’t natural for me, but I’ve grown into it. I started my first business in 2006 with no formal business training—just my desire to succeed. Over the years, I made a lot of mistakes, but I also took several courses to improve my business skills. It wasn’t easy, but with time, I scaled my design firm and became profitable. It’s all about finding balance between creativity and strategy.

DesignDash: If you could only use three tools or materials for the rest of your career, what would they be?

Rhonnika Clifton: Tape measure, stud finder, and level (with ruler). These tools are essential for precision, structure, and making sure everything is aligned correctly—just like every aspect of my design process.

DesignDash: How has your creative process evolved over the years?

Rhonnika Clifton: My creative process has transformed significantly. I started in healthcare and administrative support before diving into design, where I self-taught myself interior decorating. Eventually, I enrolled at The Art Institute of Houston to pursue formal education, which expanded my approach. It added technical skills and refined my creative process. Now, I blend creativity with strategic planning, ensuring that my designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and profitable.

DesignDash: What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d known when you started your business or creative career?

Rhonnika Clifton: I wish I’d known that running a business takes more than talent—it requires strategy. You can be highly skilled, but without a solid understanding of operations, financial planning, and profitability, it’s hard to make progress. I wish I’d known to build my business on both creativity and business acumen from the beginning, so I could have positioned myself for profit earlier on.

DesignDash: Have you seen the landscape change for women in the creative industry? What still needs to change?

Rhonnika Clifton: Yes, I’ve seen a shift, especially for women of color in interior design. More women of color are entering the field, leading projects, and creating their own firms. However, we still make up a very small percentage of the industry—about 2-3%, compared to 84% who are white. That’s why I started Creative Conversations and my mentorship program, The Educated Designer, to create visibility and resources for the next generation of minority designers. The industry is making progress, but there’s still much more to be done.

DesignDash: How do you think being a woman has shaped your creative vision or business approach?

Rhonnika Clifton: Being a woman has shaped my approach in so many ways. My nurturing spirit allows me to design with empathy and intuition, creating spaces that truly reflect my clients. I’ve also mastered the art of multitasking, balancing design, project management, and client care. These qualities—empathy, adaptability, and collaboration—are the backbone of my business and leadership style.

DesignDash: Have you recently wrapped any exciting projects or collaborations?

Rhonnika Clifton: Recently, I was honored to receive the 2024 High Point Market Authority Diversity Advocacy Alliance Mentorship Award. It was a major win during a year when profits were slower. Looking ahead, I’m pivoting to boutique commercial opportunities and collaborating with local architects, contractors, and real estate agents. I’m excited about expanding my firm’s reach through partnerships and positioning it for long-term growth. Plus, I may pop up in a Showhouse or two soon!

Many Thanks to Rhonnika Clifton for Participating in “Women, In Their Own Words”

Thank you to Rhonnika for sharing her story with us. Her dedication to both creativity and business, alongside her passion for mentorship and visibility for women of color in design, is such an impressive and inimitable example of leadership. We look forward to watching her next project unfold!

To explore more of Rhonnika’s work, visit R J Clifton Designs’ website, read her recent project feature on DesignDash, or connect with her on Instagram.

Stay tuned for more inspiring voices in our Women, In Their Own Words series. Interested in contributing? Email us at editor@designdash.com with “WITOW” in the subject line and your responses in the body.

Written by the DesignDash Editorial Team
Our contributors include experienced designers, firm owners, design writers, and other industry professionals. If you’re interested in submitting your work or collaborating, please reach out to our Editor-in-Chief at editor@designdash.com.