We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aspen Scharff. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aspen below.
Aspen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Discovering my passion for interior design kicked off at Saddleback Community College with an elective course that opened my eyes to the endless possibilities in this creative field. My teacher’s inspiration ignited my ambition, revealing the professional opportunities within interior design.
Despite my newfound passion, I pursued a Communication Studies degree at the University of San Diego. Juggling studies, I freelanced as an interior designer, tackling seven Airbnb units, collaborating with an architecture firm, and even earning my real estate license. This period taught me to hustle, be entrepreneurial, network, and pursue my interior design dreams.
Post-graduation in 2020, the pandemic disrupted my momentum, leaving larger projects incomplete. Seeking guidance from industry professionals and immersing myself in podcasts, I decided to deepen my knowledge at the Design Institute of San Diego (DISD). This educational journey reshaped my perspective, exposing me to essential foundations, design practices, and industry standards.
Balancing studies at DISD with running Aspen Riley Designs was challenging yet immensely rewarding. While school provided a strong foundation, nothing compares to real-time experiences, learning from mistakes, and being on-site. Today, in my senior year at DISD, I’ve built a thriving business, committed to continual growth both in education and practical application.
Reflecting on my journey, I encourage aspiring designers to keep an open mind, collaborate with admired peers, and push the boundaries of creativity. Excitement fuels my senior year at DISD, and I look forward to what the future holds as I continue to expand my knowledge and expertise in the dynamic field of interior design.
Aspen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Welcome to Aspen Riley Designs, where I, as the Principal Designer and Owner, invite you into the dynamic intersection of real estate and design. In this ever-evolving landscape, we stand as a pillar of innovation, creating distinctive and unforgettable experiences that go beyond traditional boundaries.
At Aspen Riley Designs, we view a property not just as a physical space but as a canvas waiting to be transformed into a unique work of art. Specializing in both residential and commercial sales, we seamlessly fuse real estate and design to offer our clients a one-of-a-kind experience. What truly sets us apart is our commitment to bespoke design, using our distinctive style to elevate brands and infuse each property with a story that resonates deeply with our clients and their audience.
My design philosophy extends beyond aesthetics; it’s about crafting an atmosphere that mirrors the essence of our clients. Each project is a personalized journey, aligning with individual needs and dreams. Whether it’s a cozy home or a bustling commercial space, our belief in tailoring designs to fit the client’s personality results in spaces that are not only functional but visually captivating. And of course always doing our very best to source authentic, charming, and luxurious show stopping materials for all of our projects.
For us, properties are canvases, but relationships are our masterpieces. We take pride in cultivating lasting connections with our clients, focusing on understanding their dreams and aspirations. Beyond the transactional aspects, our client-centric approach transforms each project into a collaborative journey, resulting in a community of satisfied clients who entrust us with their real estate and design needs.
In the realm of real estate and design, Aspen Riley Designs redefines standards with creativity and client-focused service. Our commitment to bespoke design, personalized experiences, and the cultivation of lasting relationships propels us to excellence in the industry. Elevate your real estate experience with Aspen Riley Designs – where every property is a canvas, and every client’s dream becomes a masterpiece.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
When thinking of a lesson that I had to unlearn I am brought back to when I was starting design school fresh out of graduating USD, and while I was so excited to be pursuing my craft on a deeper level I was also so eager to get into the work force and essentially just “get it done.” – getting it done would then be what I ultimately needed to unlearn.
I was on the fast track at DISD, meaning a full time student, taking five courses, and also working. This is when I learned that it is more important to take your time, enjoy the process of becoming this person, an expert in the craft of interior design, versus rushing through the process to achieve that next goal.
While I still believe that efficiency is an essential pillar in my business it does not come before presence and joy in the journey of arriving at your destination. Following that semester I got off the fast track and took 3 classes, a more approachable workload where I produced some of my favorite work to date.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
As I reminisce about my creative journey and career choices, a profound realization strikes – the absence of personalized career counseling during my college decision-making process. Envisioning my time at USD, I realize that while I’ve always harbored a passion for creativity and the arts, the path to turning that passion into a tangible career only crystallized in my mid-20s.
The essence of being a creative and translating it into a viable career remained a mystery until a pivotal moment in my twenties. The revelation that creativity could be the cornerstone of a fulfilling and successful career was a game-changer. Looking back, I can’t help but wish for a more guided and insightful approach during my formative years.
Internships, those invaluable windows into potential careers, took a backseat in my youth. The hindsight realization leaves me yearning for the chance to explore my interests in real-world settings much earlier in life.
Reflecting on my journey, I can’t help but wonder how many others might be on a similar path of delayed revelation. The process of uncovering one’s true passion later in life is undoubtedly a part of the universal human experience. Yet, the absence of resources to facilitate this exploration during the earlier stages of our lives remains a missed opportunity.
The prospect of 1:1 career counseling, internships, and targeted resources aimed at aiding the discovery of one’s passion at an earlier age is an enticing vision is something I am extremely passionate about and am excited to help others in their own self discovery through my mentorship and college development program, Designing Life’s Blueprint.
You can find more information about this program at : https://www.designinglifesblueprint.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aspenriley.com ; https://www.designinglifesblueprint.com
- Instagram: @aspenrileydesigns
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/asenrileydesigns
- Other: https://linktr.ee/aspenriley