We recently connected with Christie Bell and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Christie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Your ability to build a team is often a key determinant of your success as a business owner and so we’d love to get a conversation going with successful entrepreneurs like yourself around what your recruiting process was like -especially early on. How did you build your team?

It was just me from the start; I wore all the hats. But right away, I knew to outsource anything outside my zone of genius. I brought in a bookkeeper and a CPA, hired a photographer, and worked with a designer for my website.

Today, I have someone who assists with design elevation drawings and 3d modeling, and two amazing women who serve as our marketing team. We’re gearing up to launch a refreshed social media presence, blog, and newsletter in August.

Interestingly, the people who now support me in design and marketing came into my life by chance. They reached out at just the right time, and I trusted the feeling, saw the opportunity, and ran with it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m the founder and lead designer of Curated Home Designs, a luxury interior decorating and design studio based in Baltimore, Maryland. I specialize in creating elevated, deeply personal spaces that blend beauty with intention. My work is rooted in the belief that your home should not only look stunning, but it should feel aligned with who you are and how you live.

I didn’t take a traditional path into design. It unfolded naturally, first through becoming a professional organizer and home stager. I rearranged and styled decor and furniture that people had in their homes to help them rediscover their love for their house. I realized then that I had a deep passion for aesthetics and took it a step further by designing through an emotional storytelling approach. In 2020, I decided to leave behind organizing and staging to hone in and master the craft of design.
Over the years, my services have evolved to meet clients exactly where they are: from full-service interior design to our Designer By Your Side consultations, which offer a more flexible, hands-on approach for those looking for professional guidance without the commitment of a full project.

What sets Curated Home Designs apart is our approach: we don’t design for trends, we design to tell a story. We take the time to understand our clients’ lives, values, and aspirations. Every piece, every layout, every detail is intentional. My clients often tell me they feel more at peace, more inspired, and more themselves in their spaces after we work together.

I’m proud of what I’ve built, but even more proud of how I’ve built it: with integrity, passion, and a focus on connection. Whether we’re reimagining an entire home or fine-tuning a few details, the goal is always the same: to create something that reflects who you are at your best.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots I’ve made was shifting from organizing and staging to full-service decorating and design. It was during the height of the COVID lockdown. I was doing a lot of hands-on organizing– often in dusty garages and cluttered basements, lifting heavy boxes. It was physically demanding, and I knew I couldn’t sustain that long-term. I also felt a ceiling in the work; at the time, I didn’t see myself on the path to growing a team or taking on a leadership role.

Deep down, I knew it was time for something more aligned with both my creativity and my long-term vision. So I rebranded my business and shifted my services, arguably the riskiest decision I’ve ever made. But it was also the best.

People were stuck at home, looking around at spaces that no longer inspired them, and the demand for thoughtful, transformative design skyrocketed. The business took off. And more importantly, I felt like I was finally stepping into my calling.

This pivot didn’t just open the door to creative fulfillment; it uncovered something in me I hadn’t fully seen before: a leader. Today, I’m in the early stages of growing my team, but I have a strong foundation of values and direction. My vision is to build a company where people don’t just work; they grow, thrive, and discover the best parts of themselves.

I believe leadership has a ripple effect. If I can create an environment where people feel safe, seen, and stretched in all the right ways, that will impact not only their careers but also their relationships, families, and sense of self. That’s the legacy I want to build.

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

We’ve always stayed connected with our clients and audience through social media, sharing project updates, design tips, and behind-the-scenes moments. But now, we’re taking those efforts to the next level.

Just like we tell a story through every design we create, we want to tell a story through our brand. Not just the final product, but the process. The collaboration, the inspiration behind the design, the day-to-day moments that bring it all to life. We’re launching a refreshed marketing strategy this August, including curated content across Instagram, a blog, and a newsletter that invite our audience deeper into our world.

Our goal is to create an experience that feels personal, authentic, and inspiring, whether someone is a past client, a future client, or simply someone who loves beautiful, intentional spaces. Loyalty grows when people feel connected to more than just the outcome—they connect to the why behind it all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.curatedhomedesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curated.home.designs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CuratedHomeDesigns

Image Credits

Photography by Markus Wilborn and Andrew Schwartz