We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maisie Knowles. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maisie below.

Maisie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

When I start my residential interior design and decorating business, I knew I did not want it to be a full time gig. I wanted to make sure I had the flexibility to be with my kids after school, on weekends and on school breaks. In order to make that a reality I’ve had to set some firm boundaries within my business.

During the summer, I take an extended vacation to be with my family. That means I essentially halt my business every year for two months. Those two months allow me to unplug, refresh and invest precious time with my kids while they’re out of school.

It’s difficult to lose momentum in my business in order to take that time off. I’ve even missed out on some great projects because of that, however I never regret spending that time with my family.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always had an eye for design and decorating but was finally pushed into starting this business by a handful of friends. They committed to spread the word while I got my feet under me and even provided me with my first client.

I love helping people create a home that they love and feel comfortable in. Whether I’m partnering with a general contractor for a full scale remodel or simply curating furnishings and decor, I always aim to uncover what will reflect my client’s style and function well for them.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I’ve always believed that having others talk about you in a positive manner goes much further than you talking about yourself. Having clients that can speak to their experience with me has been a big help in building my reputation. It’s also helpful to have my partner tradespeople speak about me as well.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I have always been a fan of businesses with low start up costs. Fortunately, my business only needed a few hundred dollars to cover the cost of incorporating. I already had a computer I owned, and my husband helped me out with my initial website and marketing material.

Contact Info:

• Website: maisieknowles.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/maisieknowlesinteriors

Image Credits
Kathy Peden