We recently connected with Alyse Grant and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alyse, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
I remember when I first started entertaing the idea of launching my business, one of my biggest challenges up front was what in the world will I name it. One of the first people to even encourage me to launch was my roommate at the time and she always joked and said it should be called “Alyse Grant Designs,” I absolutely hated it for three reasons. One, something about naming your business after yourself felt vain to me. Two, as a single person who desires marriage, I knew somebody’s son was going to come along and change my name one day. Three, I knew from the very beginning that this business was going to be so much bigger than me and I wanted a name that represented that, so the search went on. I juggled a few different names but none of them fit. I was beginning to feel like Goldilocks and the three bears with this name. Even when I thought I was settled on a name, it felt like I was settling just to be done with this process. That feeling of settling was the sign I needed to pray about it. So I told God that I was letting go of control and trusting him with every part of this business including the name. Very clearly I felt God saying, “What if I want to include your name?” I won’t lie, I rolled my eyes but I gave God my yes and almost immediately I heard “The Granted Home.”
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
When I got my first “big girl job” at a government agency, I just knew I was going to work my way up the ladder and retire from there. Why wouldn’t I? I got a “good government job” as my family would say. I never saw myself being an entrepanuer because I was one of those people who had no issues working for someone else. I had concluded that I would work this job during the day and find passion outside of my job and that worked for a couple of years until I realized that I wasn’t passionate about anything and I was just going through the motions of life without purpose. For years after coming to this realization I prayed and prayed asking God, “why am I here?” it wasn’t until quarantine in March of 2020 that I finally started to get glimpse to the answer. A close friend asked me to help with her nursery and I got my first chance at creating a space that someone was going to love and appreciate. She then recommended me to a friend who needed help with her living room and dining room. In the midst of that project is when I knew I was supposed to be doing this. After that project, God just kept opening doors for me to work with different clients. The Granted Home is an interior decorating and home organization business created by Alyse Grant, a first generation American, who is passionate about creating a home that my clients will love to come home to using the gifts I believe God has given me. Your home isn’t just the place where you lay your head at night, it should be your safe space. It should be your safe space to laugh, cry, create, love, be loved, dream, grow, and so much more. I believe it to be so much easier to do all those things when you are in a space that is not only beautiful but is a reflection of the best of you.
The Granted Home offers several packages to meet your styling needs. The transformation is a full service interior decor package for the person who is looking for someone to take your vision to the next level to transform your home. The Touch-Up is for you if you have existing pieces, are aiming to fill in the blanks of your space , or are just looking for a quick single room refresh. Just A Dash is our newest package for the individual who has every thing they need except the razzle dazzle. Just A Dash provides the accessories styling you need to complete your space. Whether you’re 1000 miles away or simply have a DIY attitude, the e-design package puts you in control. With eDesign, we set the foundation with a customized design plan but it allows you to place all orders, oversee deliveries, shop for accessories, and install on your time. And finally, we also offer home organization, together we can declutter, purge, organize and make your space not only beautiful but functional.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
When being a creative in the world of interiors, you recognize at the end of the project the most important thing is that your clients love their space. The reaction at the reveal is beyond gratifying and the clients opinion means a lot. But, just as important as the clients opinion is yours. When discovering your clients style it doesn’t have to be a match to yours but you have to like it. At the very least, you have to enjoy creating it. Have you ever tried doing exceptionally well at something you strongly dislike? It’s not easy, and in the end, you’re rarely happy with the end result. Despite a potential difficult conversation, it’s so much easier to tell a client “no” upfront and provide them with other options than to work on something you don’t love and share that with a client.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
We have all heard the saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” and that couldn’t be more true thus far for The Granted Home. From the very beginning, word of mouth has been my most effective tool for gaining new clients. I know what you’re thinking, that’s not a tool, but it is. When I do my best and leave my clients with a positive experience, they tell their friends and share my business with them. It’s been the best game of telephone.
Contact Info:
- Website: WWW.THEGRANTEDHOME.COM
- Instagram: @THEGRANTEDHOME
Image Credits
Rachel Barber Kelsey Edwards Sarah Asomaning