We recently connected with Maya Moghadam and have shared our conversation below.

Maya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

When I think about what my parents did right, I realize they didn’t just raise me — they shaped the way I see the world.

I grew up in an artistic family. My father was an art professor, widely respected and internationally recognized for his work. When I was just eight years old, I remember seeing his photograph published in magazines in the United States and France, celebrating his expertise and achievements. Students traveled from different countries to attend his intensive courses. Years later, many of them returned to share their success stories — charging $200 per hour in the late 1990s because of the foundation he had given them.

At the time, I was just a child watching quietly. Today, living in the U.S., I truly understand how extraordinary that was.

But what impacted me most was not his fame — it was his intention.

When I was four years old, my father began teaching me that everything we create is a reflection of who we are. He would sit with me and guide my handwriting, not because he wanted it to be perfect, but because he believed presentation matters. “Everyone can write,” he would say, “but when you write or paint, show how amazing you are.”

He taught me that art wasn’t limited to a canvas. It was in the way we arranged food on a plate. I still remember simple family brunches where eggs and vegetables were transformed into compositions — a rose crafted delicately on one side of a large plate. It wasn’t just breakfast; it was a masterpiece. From him, I learned that creativity is a way of living.

At the same time, I was deeply influenced by my mother. She ran a large architectural company, building towers and entire communities. After school, I had my own small desk in her office. I would do my homework while listening to her lead meetings, speak with clients, and manage her team.

What stood out wasn’t just her success — it was how she treated people. She cared deeply about everyone, from employees to clients to workers on-site. She led with warmth, strength, and integrity. Watching her, I learned that leadership is not about authority; it is about responsibility and care.

If my father gave me creativity, precision, and artistic expression, my mother gave me leadership, compassion, and business strength.

Today, I often say I am half my dad and half my mom. From him, I inherited the passion to create beauty in everything. From her, I learned how to build something meaningful and lead with heart.

As I reflect on their impact, I feel overwhelming gratitude. Everything I design, every space I transform, carries a piece of them. And even now, as I share this story, I find myself emotional — because I know how blessed I am to have been raised not just by successful parents, but by extraordinary humans.

Maya, 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?

I run an interior design and remodeling company that truly operates as a unique one-stop shop. What we offer is something almost no one else provides in the same way. We serve residential homes, commercial spaces, and senior living communities — all under one roof.

My background plays a huge role in how I run my business. I grew up in a family of strong business owners. My father managed over 200 employees in different countries, and my mother led a company with more than 1,000. Watching how they operated, how they led, and how deeply involved they were in their work shaped my character from a very young age. I was not just observing creativity — I was observing leadership, systems, and responsibility.

I became a business owner myself at 24 years old. From the beginning, I knew creativity alone was not enough. I pursued my MBA in Marketing to fully understand budgeting, financial structure, client management, and strategic growth. One of the biggest gaps I see in the industry is that many creative professionals focus only on design without fully understanding budgets, timelines, and the client’s real-life needs.

Later, I earned my Master’s degree in Interior Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design, SCAD, #1 interior design school in the United States. This combination — business knowledge and high-level design education — allows me to offer my clients a truly seamless experience.

When clients work with me, they deal with one person. They do not need to manage multiple contractors, vendors, or shopping trips. We handle everything. We are the roof over every service required for the project — from new construction where a lot becomes a fully completed home, to commercial build-outs based on business strategy and branding goals.

Senior living is especially close to my heart. Moving into a new living environment can be one of the most stressful transitions in someone’s life. I guide clients through downsizing, planning, coordinating the move, and preparing the new home so that when they arrive, everything is ready. They can walk in and sleep peacefully that first night without stress or chaos. We handle the details so they don’t have to.

For over two decades, my business has grown primarily through referrals and word of mouth. That is something I am incredibly proud of. It reflects trust, consistency, and the relationships we build with our clients.

This week, on March 4th, we celebrate five years of milestones with Maya’s Design Studio. I feel honored, blessed, and deeply thankful for how far we have come and how our services continue to expand — all built on happy clients and strong referrals.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I am so honored that most of my clients have become friends, and we are still connected. Social media makes it easier these days — many follow my Instagram, and we stay in touch, chat, and keep each other updated.

To me, the relationships are the most important part. It’s not just about strategy or business; it’s about trust and connection. There’s a saying that always resonates with me: “When you do what you love, you don’t work a day in your life.” That is my story. I love what I do, and my clients see that. I genuinely care about every single one of them.

I can proudly say that the friendships and trust we’ve built last long after the project is finished. Some clients even still have keys to their homes with me, knowing that if they ever need a change or adjustment, I am there. That trust, especially with multimillion-dollar homes, is something I hold sacred and never take for granted.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

truly believe that in any project, in any field, the key is putting yourself in your client’s shoes. Understanding their concerns, their expectations, and the level of service they hope to receive makes it so much easier to deliver the best work. I always try to approach every project as if it were my own space, thinking about how I would want the service offered and what I would expect.

For me, that approach can actually make things a little challenging because I am so hard to please. I tend to be very picky and detail-oriented, constantly striving for perfection. But that’s exactly what I love about my work — focusing on the details, even the smallest ones, and always trying to do my best. I continue refining until my clients say, “Maya, we’re good.” That trust and satisfaction make all the effort worthwhile.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mayasdesignstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayasdesignstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mayasdesignstudio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-moghadam-b7255266/