Hidden Gems: Meet Erik Humphrey of Hyde Park Interiors

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Humphrey.

Hi Erik, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Diagnosed with a Grade 3 mixed glioma (brain tumor – Oligoastrocytoma) on November 17, 2003.
Renovating a home in North Central Phoenix and had trouble holding onto tools, trouble buttoning shirt, keeping keys in hand. Told my wife that I think there was something wrong, but might just be tired because I was working full time and doing renovations at night. Went to my PCP and he did a brief neuro exam. Told me I needed to go to get an MRI right away as the neuro exam revealed that my left side was moving much slower than the right side.
Checked into Scottsdale Shea Hospital because we were told a Barrow Neurological Institute doc was there and could guide us. The MRI revealed a brain tumor on the right motor strip.
We were quickly able to see Dr. Kris Smith at BNI. He recommended an aggressive resection of the tumor that would remove more of the brain matter around the tumor to be sure to get all of the tumor out. The Astro part of the tumor has fingers (star shape) that can be very small and hide the bad cells. Chose to do the aggressive resection on December 18, 2003. Had a significant deficit on the left side, but was able to recover much of left leg and facial movement in the days following the surgery.
Was working for a design firm (furniture store and design firm) and went back to work after the new year. Stayed with that position until 2014 when I started my own Interior Design Firm called Hyde Park Interiors. Have run a successful high end firm ever since. So much more to this story too… I could spend many pages… In fact I am (this is his wife Katie) in the works of writing book that describes his miracle story. Truely an inspiring story for many Brain tumor patients, living survivors and those still fighting after years of treatment.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Never has it been smooth. Erik has worked for years to make him strong and capable to run a business and have a family.

After 5 days in the hospital he wanted to hike North Mountain (paved hike on 7th Street south of Thunderbird). We would go about 4 times a week. He would use a walking stick and I would have him hold my shoulder on the way down.

He went to PT for years, but never regained much fine motor skills in his left arm. But his left leg was still strong. As he gets older (32 diagnosed and now 54) he has some struggles with his left side. It lags behind a bit, but it never lets him get down. He still hikes, and each year we do the Flagstaff Climb for Cancer with the American Cancer Society in his honor. This year will be our 9th year.

We also have 3 kids. Daughter is 18 and at Ole Miss, and twin Boys who are Freshman at Arcadia High School. Erik is a HUGE football, baseball and basketball fan. His greatest pleasure is taking the kids to games. Our daughter and he love Suns games, the twins LOVE football and baseball. He is at his best physically and mentally when he shares these loves with his kids.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Hyde Park Interiors?
High end Interior Design Firm.
Erik got his degree in Finance from ASU in 1996.
He worked his way from college years, working in the warehouse of a design firm, moving into the office and learning the business aspect. Then on to doing sales and finally into full design.

Because of his history of the brain tumor he had to stay at the job longer than what he would have preferred before opening his own company.

Hyde Park Interiors is a full service interior design firm with a retail furniture store, an art gallery and a rug gallery. Hyde Park is a premier interior design firm in North Scottsdale.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Erik always says that he is High Speed Low Drag. Work harder than your clients expect, give them more than what they think you will do and always be there for whatever they need.

He expects a lot from his employees but rewards them very well. If he is successful and he must surround himself with those who have the same expectation of success. He is honest and forthright and wants each of his employees to be as successful as he has been. But you HAVE to do the work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hydeparkinteriordesign.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hydeparkinteriordesign

Image Credits
I have a ton of photos… I can supply more if you want. It’s 10:3o at night now and I have to choose from lots of photos!!

His head shot is from Alison Tyler Jones Photography. She has her water mark on the picture. We paid for us to use that.