We recently connected with Melanie Nyhan and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Melanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Within the last few years life has taught me the importance of taking risks to achieve goals. No matter how big or small the goal, I’ve learned that playing it safe, small and timid is not going to place me in a position to live a fruitful life.

Although it can be a challenge, every time I’ve taken a risk on myself I can say it’s paid off. Whether it’s an opportunity that comes my way, the people I’ve been able to connect with, or a monetary win, I have learned that taking risks is a necessary attribute and even requirement to build the life you seek.

In 2020, my father passed away from cancer. Then the world went into lockdown due to Covid. My car got stolen. Being in such a whirlwind that I desperately wanted to improve led me to take a risk of a lifetime. I sold everything I owned, packed up whatever I could in my small car, and drove with my incredible dog from New York to Denver with nothing but a couple thousand dollars in savings. I had no job in Denver, the cost of living was higher, and my family was thousands of miles away. But I did possess a dream in my mind that I’m proud to say I’m still working rigorously to make my reality.

The amount of people I’ve connected with, personal growth, life lessons, difficult decisions, not to mention errors or flat out failures I’ve made along the way are absolutely wild to think about. I’ve become so much more confident, resilient, resourceful and I’ve seen the impact all of this has made on how I show up for myself and others. It validates that I truly can count on myself. I’m a badass woman who will always go after what my heart desires.

Since moving to Denver, I’ve gone after my dream of getting to know the Interior Design and home building industry. I’ve learned the design processes and taught myself some of the technical skills involved in design, including hand sketching and 3D modeling. In August of 2022, I reached out to a design firm I randomly came across via Instagram and introduced myself. I told them what my goals are and how I could help them with their company which led to me landing a design assistant position with them just by taking that risk of reaching out to them. So far, the things that I’ve learned in such a short time has really changed the game for me.

Reflecting on all of this, I truly think anyone can build the life they dream of with a little grit and resilience to keep moving forward. In just one year I’ve made huge strides to build the life for myself that I always dreamt of living. I’m extremely excited to see where I’ll be in the next year. All in all, I hope after reading this you’re motivated to take a risk on yourself, no matter how big or small, because you never know what could happen by simply putting yourself out there.

Melanie, 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 have an entrepreneurial mindset and have always hustled on my own in one way or another. I have a degree in psychology and have been a personal trainer for almost 10 years. I’ve also owned a cleaning and organizing company, which led me into interior design.

I have not only helped individuals re-design spaces within their own home, but I’ve also worked business to business with design help and styling. Most recently, I worked with The Green Age to style and stage an entrepreneurs conference, where we elevated the overall vibe of an otherwise cold and empty event space.

I think everyone can agree that when you experience a place with a beautiful design aesthetic, it truly affects your inner world and how you interact within the space. A well designed space has the potential to bring so many things, including peace of mind, solitude, energy, creativity, and even productivity. On the other end, a poorly designed space can leave you feeling cluttered, flustered, unproductive and even restless. That’s where I come in… even if you don’t know it yet, a designer can elevate your space, which in turn will elevate your mood and overall quality of life. If you don’t believe me, reach out and I can show you simple ways this is true, I promise ;)

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is how both surprised and at peace the client is when they realize how different their space can look and more importantly make them feel. It’s really beautiful to witness them so in shock with the end result. It’s not just about design – there’s an aspect of it that’s almost cathartic for both myself and the client; a fresh, re-designed space can really cultivate tranquility and comfort.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

If you don’t have a portfolio or relevant work experience, it can be really hard to get into the industry. There have been countless interviews and opportunities where I’ve been told no, and it’s in these experiences where I’ve leaned into my patience and passion for design. My dad always taught me – if you want something, go get it. It’s up to you to make it happen and build the grit necessary to knock down obstacles standing in your way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @melnyhan
• Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/melanienyhan

Image Credits
Dave Domino – Photographer