We were lucky to catch up with Carly Mandarano recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carly, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

CarMELLA Design Studio is named in honor of my grandmother, Carmella, who, along with my grandfather Charlie, had a profound influence on my life. As a child, I spent a great deal of time at their home and created many special memories with both of them. Carmella—whom I called Grams—had a deep love for fashion and an impeccable sense of style. She loved to shop and was always excited to share her latest finds, often saying, “Carly, let’s go look at my blouses—I want to show you the new ones I got.” Her closet was always meticulously organized, color-coded from light to dark, with pink being the most prominent color (her favorite).

These memories left a lasting impression on me, sparking my own love for organizing and ensuring that treasured and important items always have their perfect place. Naming my business CarMELLA Design Studio is my way of paying tribute to Grams and carrying forward her values of organization and mindfulness. Through this work, I’m honored to help others create spaces that reflect their most cherished memories and priorities.

Carly, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Sure! My name is Carly, and I’m the founder of CarMELLA Design Studio. Most of my career was spent in corporate visual merchandising and store design, and through that experience, I developed a deep passion for organizing and styling spaces. Over the years, I realized that a well-organized environment could bring clarity, peace, and productivity to people’s lives—and it was this realization that ultimately inspired me to start my own business.

Having spent so many years in the corporate world, I wanted to take all the knowledge and experience I had gained and apply it to help individuals in their homes. I saw a need for the same level of thoughtful design and organization in personal spaces, and I wanted to help people create environments that reflected their lifestyles and brought them peace.

I’ve mastered the art of organizing and designing spaces for both homes and businesses. My journey started with a love for creating orderly environments—something I inherited from my mother, who instilled in me the value that “everything has a place.” This lesson became my guiding principle in both my personal and professional life, fueling my passion for design and organization.

At CarMELLA Design Studio, I specialize in creating personalized organizational solutions for both homes and businesses. I use a unique approach called the CarMELLA G.O.A.L.S. (Get Organized and Live Simply), which focuses on creating sustainable, long-term solutions. It’s not just about decluttering spaces, but about decluttering the mind. My goal is to help people feel at ease and in control by designing spaces that truly reflect their individual lifestyles.

Designing and styling a space really go hand in hand with creating an organized, functional environment. A beautifully styled space enhances the feeling of order and flow, while an organized space ensures that everything has its place and works efficiently. I can help you achieve both—designing spaces that are visually appealing yet also practical and functional, so you can enjoy beauty and simplicity in your daily life.

What sets me apart is that I really take the time to understand each client’s needs and craft a solution that works for their specific situation. Whether it’s organizing a closet, decluttering a home, or optimizing a business’s sales floor or backroom, I create spaces that are not only functional but also bring a sense of harmony and joy. Once I’m done, I promise you’ll love your space so much, you may never want to leave it!

I founded CarMELLA Design Studio with a clear mission: to help you declutter your space (and your mind!), create simple, easy-to-maintain systems, and style the spaces where you spend the most time in a way that reflects your lifestyle and priorities. I’m passionate about helping my clients simplify their lives, creating peace and balance through intentional, practical, and sustainable organization.

So, whether you’re looking for a simple refresh or a full transformation, CarMELLA Design Studio is here to make your space work for you—creating not just a place where everything has its place, but one that feels good to live in and use.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Making local connections has undoubtedly been the best way for me to grow my client base and expand my network. Since I’m still new to the area, I had to start from scratch, but I’ve loved every minute of meeting new people and building relationships. Virginia Beach is full of amazing small business owners, and I truly appreciate how we all support each other. These connections have not only helped me meet people who value the work I do, but they’ve also opened the door to new opportunities. There’s something incredibly powerful about word-of-mouth referrals—when clients are so happy with your work that they tell their friends and family, it’s the highest form of compliment. It’s not just about gaining new clients; it’s about building trust and a reputation that speaks for itself. Nothing is more satisfying than knowing that the work I do has had such a positive impact that others are eager to share it with their circle.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

“When it came time to fund my business, I wanted to be the first person to invest in myself. As a kid, I always saved up for the things I wanted, whether it was from my allowance or jobs. Saving money started at a young age, thanks to my mom. She taught me invaluable lessons—always making sure I had the essentials but also encouraging me to save for the ‘extra’ things I wanted. This early foundation of saving and being resourceful stayed with me, shaping how I approached investing in myself as an adult.”

A couple of years ago, I started putting money aside with the intention of using it to fuel my own dreams and build something meaningful. The idea was simple: if I don’t believe in myself, who will? I understood that to make my vision a reality, I needed to put in the work, both financially and emotionally. So, I disciplined myself to save, cut back on unnecessary expenses, and prioritize the future I wanted to create.

I saw the money I set aside not just as capital, but as a vote of confidence in my own potential. This self-investment became the foundation of my business, allowing me to purchase essential equipment like [computer, office furniture, samples for client proposals]. I also recognized the importance of presentation, so I used part of the funds for professional photography (shout out to Sami Roy Photography for capturing every detail and for the best photos!), ensuring my brand looked polished and inviting.

In addition, I invested in creating a strong online presence by building a professional website (shout out to Emily Benson Consulting for creating the website of my dreams!), which was crucial for attracting clients and establishing credibility. I didn’t stop there; I also allocated part of my savings for business materials like business cards and other promotional items, ensuring I was always prepared to present myself professionally when opportunities arose.

Each dollar saved felt like a step closer to turning my dream into something real. That personal commitment helped me get started and provided the foundation I needed to grow the business from the ground up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carmelladesign.com
• Instagram: @carmelladesignstudio.com

Image Credits