A Tribute to the Women Who Shape Our Lives—and Stand Beside Us Still
There is something sacred about the way women show up for one another. Whether by birth, by bond, or by choice, we are created to nurture, to strengthen, and to stand side by side. In these pages, we honor the daughters, sisters, and mothers who have built businesses—and lives—together. Each story is a reflection of purpose, grace, resilience, and love. Perhaps, as Esther reminds us, they were created for such a time as this… and perhaps, so are we.
Mother & Daughter by Design
Written By Debbie Breaux Canatella & Brandy Canatella Thompson
Photography by Sandi Davis
Debbie
Being in business with my daughter is a beautiful partnership in more ways than one. Not only do we get to spend each day working alongside one another, but we also walk through both the victories and the challenges together. There is truly no love quite like that between a mother and her child, and when that bond becomes the heartbeat of a business, it creates something remarkably resilient.
We want the very best for each other, and that shared commitment naturally extends to our clients. Over time, our customers have become more than clients — they have become part of our extended family. When you shop at Canatella Interiors, you are supporting a family-owned local business, but more importantly, you are welcomed into it.
Brandy
Working with family is both a gift and, occasionally, a test of patience. The reality is that we often spend more waking hours at work than we do at home, so sharing that time strengthens our relationship in ways we might not have discovered otherwise.
Along the way, we’ve learned that we are both strong-willed and independent — qualities that can sometimes challenge us but ultimately make us better partners. Those traits push us to listen more carefully, respect differing perspectives, and come out stronger together.
Our philosophy on design is deeply rooted in our own family story — and in lessons I learned from my mother throughout her career. As a young girl, I watched her create a home that was not only beautifully decorated but also warm, organized, and welcoming. One memory has stayed with me through the years. A designer once visited our home and dismissed nearly everything my mother loved. I remember the disappointment on her face when the pieces that meant the most to our family were overlooked.
That moment shaped the designer I would one day become.
I learned early on that true design is never about imposing your taste on someone else — it is about honoring the life already being lived within the walls of each home we decorate. Every home has its own personality, history, and rhythm. Our role is to guide clients toward the best version of their space while respecting what matters most to them.
We may introduce fresh ideas and thoughtful concepts, but the goal is always the same: to create a home that feels authentically theirs.
Canatella Interiors has now been in business for 25 years, and those years have taught us that no two clients are alike. Each brings their own traditions, beliefs, budgets, and dreams for how their space should look and feel.
Our generational partnership is one of our greatest strengths. While we often share similar tastes, we each see beauty through a slightly different lens. That balance allows us to approach projects from multiple angles — blending timeless design with fresh perspective in a way that serves our clients well.
For mothers and daughters who may be considering going into business together, our advice is simple: be willing to give and take. Always keep the best interests of one another — and the business — at heart.
Disagreements do happen between my mother and me, but the bond between us is unlike any other partnership. There is an unspoken protectiveness and loyalty that ensures neither the relationship nor the business is ever taken for granted. The occasional bickering is a small price to pay for a partner who believes in you wholeheartedly and wants nothing more than to see the business flourish.
Debbie
When I pause to reflect on this journey, what makes me most proud is not just the longevity of the business I began many years ago, but the perseverance that built it.
We started with very little — just determination, faith, and a shared vision. Twenty-five years later, we are surrounded by loyal customers who feel more like friends and a business that continues to give us purpose.
We truly believe we are doing what God intended us to do.
Canatella Interiors is more than a workplace; it is a calling, a creative outlet, and a legacy we are building together. I would not choose any other path — nor any other partner besides my daughter.
Simply put, we both agree, we are living the dream.
The Gift of Working Together
Written By Delia Jeffcoat & Avery Jeffcoat Green
Photography by Jodi Washington
On a wedding morning, there is always a moment — usually before the music starts and long before the guests arrive — when the room is quiet.
Garment bags hang in a row. A bouquet rests in water. The timeline is printed and tucked into a notebook that has been opened and closed a hundred times in the weeks leading up to this day.
We look at each other in that space — sometimes without even saying a word — and we both know exactly what needs to happen next. It’s in those moments that we’re reminded how special it is to be standing side by side, not just as business partners, but as mother and daughter.
For me, watching Avery step into this role has never felt like a sudden change. There was no single moment when I thought, she’s ready now. She has always had a steadiness about her — even as a little girl. In the middle of big emotions or high-pressure situations, she brings a calm that makes everyone around her feel confident. Now I see her doing that for our brides, their families, and our team, and it fills me with so much pride.
She understands something that sits at the very heart of what we do — these are not just events. They are milestone moments in people’s lives. That kind of care and compassion isn’t something you can train someone to have. It’s simply part of who she is.
My own journey into this work was a leap of faith. I left a career in a thriving dental practice to step into something completely different, and it required trusting God in a way I never had before. It required courage. When I look at Avery, I see those same qualities — the confidence to step forward, the ability to connect with people, and a creativity that brings a fresh layer of beauty to everything she touches.
Avery
Growing up watching Mom, I had a front-row seat to all of it. I watched her walk into rooms and take charge with both grace and authority. People listened to her — but more than that, they respected her and genuinely loved her. That balance shaped how I lead today. She showed me what it looks like to handle the unexpected with calm excellence and to give your whole heart to whatever you’re doing.
What has always inspired me most is that she lives that way in every role — not just in business. She brings the same strength and joy to being a mother, a wife, a friend, and a caretaker. Watching her taught me that you don’t have to separate your life into pieces to be successful. You can lead well, love well, and live fully — all at the same time.
When we’re planning together, our strengths naturally fall into place. My mom is incredibly methodical. Every detail is thought through, every timeline refined, and when the unexpected happens — because it always does — she pivots seamlessly. I tend to see the creative layer — the personal touches, the design elements that make a wedding feel like it truly belongs to that couple and their story. And if she needs me to step in and lead, I can do that too. We balance each other in a way that feels easy and natural.
Of course, learning to work together has meant learning a new rhythm. There are moments when we see a design or a flow differently, but we always come back to the same priority: the client and their experience. That shared purpose keeps everything grounded.
We’re also intentional about protecting time to just be mother and daughter. We have meeting times for business, and we have time where we don’t talk about timelines, linens, or logistics at all. That boundary has allowed both relationships to grow. At the end of the day, what we are building together is about so much more than beautiful events.
Looking at the future of Delia Jeffcoat Events, we want our clients to look back and remember the joy. We want them to remember that they felt cared for, celebrated, and completely at peace. It is never “just another day” to us. Yes, the details matter deeply — but what matters most is how our clients feel in those moments.
That is the legacy we are creating — a reflection of our faith, our family, and the love we pour into every single celebration.
And in those quiet wedding-morning moments, when the bouquets are ready and the day is just beginning, we’re reminded again how grateful we are that we get to do this — together.
Special Mothers’ Day Message from Avery:
Mom, getting to work beside you every day is something I never take for granted. Long before I understood what it meant to run a business, I just knew I had the strongest, most capable mom in the room. Now I get to see that same strength up close in a completely different way — and it inspires me daily.
You’ve shown me what it looks like to lead with confidence without ever losing kindness. You’ve taught me that details matter because people matter. The way you care for our brides and their families is the same way you’ve always cared for ours — fully, intentionally, and with joy.
I admire the courage it took for you to build this business, and I’m so thankful you trusted me enough to let me step into it with you. Thank you for believing in me, for teaching me by example, and for letting me build this dream alongside you. I’m so grateful to be your daughter. Happy Mother’s Day!
A Mother’s Love Multiplied: Three Sisters, One Calling
A Mother’s LoveWritten By Dr. Natalia Luraguiz, Dr. Victoria Luraguiz, and Julia Luraguiz
Photography by Brittany Strickland
Nearly two decades ago, the Luraguiz family immigrated from Argentina to the United States and eventually became proud American citizens.
What they did not know then — but understand now — is that while this journey would open doors of opportunity, it would also test their family in ways none of them could have imagined. Their story reminds us that the relationships women share can become powerful sources of strength during seasons of loss and grief.
Dr. Natalia
As the oldest sister, I can say that our parents came to this country with dreams for their daughters — dreams rooted in opportunity, education, and a better future. But only a year after we arrived, our mother was diagnosed with melanoma. Her illness shaped three very different seasons of our lives.
I was in my third year of medical residency and expecting my third child. Victoria was navigating the demanding path of pre-med. And Julia was still in high school. Losing our mother during those years changed us in ways we could never have predicted.
Even though we had always been a close family, our bond deepened in that moment. We did not simply grieve together. Each of us began to carry forward pieces of our mother — the lessons we learned from watching her live with strength, grace, and faith. In many ways, we began mothering one another.
Julia
Natalia was raising her young family and naturally stepped into the role of the eldest sister — offering guidance, stability, and care. Victoria became a steady maternal presence for me during those high school years. And as the youngest, I remember responsibilities coming early.
When I was only eight years old, I interpreted for my mother at medical appointments. I was learning English through immersion at school, but I was also translating for her during her treatments. With no extended family in the United States, we quickly learned something important: We were each other’s home. And that truth still shapes our lives today.
Today, we work side by side in one medical practice, each bringing a different specialty — family medicine, internal medicine, and public health. Together we have built not only a thriving medical practice, but also a space where we can continue to grow, innovate, and support one another every day.
Dr. Natalia
We want to continue to learn about health and longevity. Growth is part of who we are. We are constantly excited about new services, new ideas, and continuing education.
But the greatest joy comes from watching each other grow — not only professionally, but personally. As adults, we often see reflections of our mother in one another. Victoria, for example, shares our mother’s blonde hair and blue eyes — a beautiful reminder of her presence among us.
And yes — we still laugh about the fact that we “fight.” But it is the playful kind of arguing that only sisters who feel completely safe with one another can have. Beneath it all is deep love and the freedom to be our authentic selves.
At the center of everything we do is our faith. We trust God’s plan and believe our steps have been ordered. We know that the life we share — and the work we do together — is not accidental. In moments of uncertainty, we still ask ourselves the same questions:
What would Mom want us to do? How would she want us to respond? In that way, she is never truly gone. She lives within each of us.
Dr. Victoria
Our mother first introduced us to the ideas of wellness, prevention, and longevity — principles that now shape our medical practice and our mission to serve patients. Her influence was also deeply spiritual. Mama had a daily mantra that still guides our lives:
Take life one day at a time. Handle what comes each day. Do not borrow worry from the future.
Celebrate the joy in each day and thank God for it. For ten years, we watched her live those words as she battled cancer.
She chose gratitude. She refused to be consumed by fear. And she found purpose in every single day she was given. We could not have walked this journey without one another — and without our father. We call our parents Mama’ and Papa’. Today we lovingly call our father, MaPa, because after our mother passed away, he stepped into both roles for our family. The name carries an even deeper meaning. Mapa is the Spanish word for map. And that is exactly what our father has been for us — our guide. He has helped lead us forward through grief, through growth, and through every step of our journey.
As a family, we are incredibly grateful for one another.
We did not originally plan to tell this story publicly. But now we know that the time is right. Sharing it has helped us complete a long journey of grief and healing. This year, we can finally celebrate Mother’s Day without feeling sad or angry.
And that realization brings a deep sense of peace. Because this is not just a story about a medical practice. It is the story of our mother’s legacy. Her love lives on in the way we care for our patients. It lives on in the way our time together has brought healing to our own lives. It lives on in the way we love each other. And in the way we continue walking forward — together — one day at a time.