Today we're learning all about Katherine Dexter of Wild House. We're already in love with her all-natural body care and we're very happy to have her coming to Houston from College Station!
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Living on a self-sustaining homestead with like 10 kids that I homeschool and we grow our own food. Lots of trees, lots of dogs, and nothing to worry about.
Which living person do you most admire?
Probably my father. He's a self made man. His parents were really humble, they raised 6 children and never had much to go around but that taught him valuable lessons about how to work and save. While I was growing up he worked and traveled a lot but my mother was able to stay home with us, which was invaluable. My father went from an entry level graphic designer to a joint owner of the same company over 25 years. When his partners went in a new direction my father sold his shares and basically started over in a new state, with no guarantees. His new company is more profitable than ever and it's because He's a dedicated worker, has incredible business sense, and above all, because he has made God a priority over every other thing in his life.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Every once in a while (long while) I like to splurge on a pair of shoes from Shoes of Prey where you can design your own shoe, right down to the materials it's made from. I own 3 pairs of their shoes and they're still my favorite shoes.
What is your current state of mind?
I'm tired, so tired, all the time. But I'm also excited. I'm doing lots of things and I enjoy being self-employed so much, it's very fulfilling.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Softness, or being meek I guess. I view it as not being able to stand up for yourself and it's really annoying.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I had a baby a year ago and I never lost the weight. I found out I carry a lot of weight on my tummy, and I HATE it! Why couldn't I carry it in my boobs or my butt??
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Honesty.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Also honesty. Everyone should just be honest.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
All the swear words.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My son, I'm probably supposed to say my husband, but it's my son. My pregnancy felt so surreal but the second that little boy cried and I heard him for the first time it's like my heart just exploded and I never knew you could love someone so much.
When and where were you happiest?
Anytime I can make my son laugh. It's like the sound angels must make when they're singing or something.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would like to be a good decorator. I think I'm really good at it, or I like to pretend I am, but secretly I have no idea how to put a room together.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
I had a mohawk for a while, and then I got bored with it so I wanted to grow it out, and the only way you grow out a mohawk is by shaving your head and growing it all out fresh. So I did that, and I just wish I could have long hair immediately.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My business. I've never built anything this valuable or this far reaching before.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing what would it be?
A Killer Whale!! I love those things. They're the number one predator in the whole ocean. They fight sharks. They don't care about baby seals, they'll beach themselves to eat one. They're stone cold. They're fierce. They are my spirit animal.
Where would you most like to live?
On a homestead in the middle of Texas, before you get to the desert, where it's still green and I can own a lot of guns.
What is your most treasured possession?
My family. (awwww)
What is your most marked characteristic?
I'm pretty confident.
What do you most value in your friends?
A sense of humor that clicks with mine.
Who are your favorite artists?
I really like Minjae Lee, He's a South Korean mixed media artist who does incredible, detailed portraits. I'm also a huge fan of Lady Gaga, especially now. I think she's crazy and actually pretty authentic and I love her voice.
Which local artists or makers most inspire you?
I have a great friend who runs Brazos Valley Soaps. She's a perfect example of how to be kind and uplifting to other people. She's incredibly helpful, especially to people within our industry and that's really admirable to me because I've met a lot of people who chose to be rude or unhelpful to up-comers because they're insecure and don't want the competition. She's the opposite, and is ready and willing with advice.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Ayn Rand. She was far from perfect, but at the core of her philosophy she just wanted people to be the most honest version of themselves, and wanted people to be as free as possible. She valued independence and liberty, and while there were a lot of things she said and did that I disagree with, her philosophy has really resonated with me and been really influential in my political and personal views.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Anyone who shows up with an ice cold fountain Dr. Pepper.
What are your favorite names?
I'm in love with Scandinavian names, I'm naming all of my children names from that area.
What is your motto?
Live Your Dream.
But not in a cute "live laugh love" kind of way. In a "you're an independent person so just do what you want" kind of way.
From Vanity Fair: "The Proust Questionnaire has its origins in a parlor game popularized (though not devised) by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering these questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature." We've taken the original Proust Questionnaire and modified it a bit for our artists and makers so that they can share more about themselves with all of you. Check out the series to see how they all answered.
