“My passion has always been design. I was setting decorative tables and moving furniture around my parents’ home for as long as I can remember but didn’t know then that I could create a career around that. I believe creating a beautiful environment or product is something that is universally appreciated. It’s what creates an emotional connection and is paramount to the success of a business. It’s part of the visual storytelling. I didn’t realize when I was younger that all experiences, specifically the ones unrelated to my profession would lead me to where I am today. It’s because of my diverse career background in fashion, beauty and marketing that makes me good at what I do in design and hospitality. It allows me to see things from different perspectives. What you learn on the job is more important than what you are trained for in school. Your references in life become key to your success, so read everything, research, travel, go to art galleries, eat out at restaurants, check out what’s happening in stores, experience different cultures, step outside your comfort zone. Stay curious and ask questions. All this helps you connect the dots. I did not go to school for interior design or hospitality, however, it was something I innately loved and was naturally good at but I held myself back because I felt I lacked the formal training, therefore I wasn’t confident in acknowledging my talents. I used my business and home as my testing ground. I allowed myself to experiment, to make mistakes, to learn how to be scrappy and build things out of nothing. Most of all, I realized that you never stop learning.”