We recently connected with Erin Eifler and have shared our conversation below.

Erin , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

As a true creative, I believe there are no rules or limits when in comes to design. Thinking outside the box and creating unique innovative spaces pushes against the status quo. At Native Habitat we live by this mindset that creativity has no boundaries. I encourage my team to curate spaces that compliments its architectural elements as well as the neighborhood in which it resides. Each home we step into is different from the next and has its own story to tell. I believe it’s our job to bring spaces to life.

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?

Growing up in San Diego you would think my favorite hobby was going to the beach, but when I wasn’t playing soccer I spent my weekends going to look at models homes with my parents then dragging my mom to Pottery Barn. I graduated from San Diego State University with a major in Event Management. After college I spent 8 years in the event industry, planning and designing both corporate and social events. After about 8 years I was feeling burnt out and unfulfilled. This is when I decided to turn my passion for interior design into a career. I worked at a home staging and interior design company for 3 years before finally founding my baby, Native Habitat. My origin story is a catalyst to the naming and branding of my company. Native speaks to my home roots of San Diego. Growing up here has provide me with the understanding of the diversity of each of San Diegos iconic neighborhoods. Habitat is the natural living environment of a species. Exactly what I wish to emulate through my design. It is always our goal for prospective buyers to walk through one of our projects and it feel as tho it is naturally curated to fit the existing style of the home. Every home has a story to tell and it is our mission to bring that story to life.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The real estate market is constantly changing, which can be a little scary for a home staging company. During and after covid we’ve seen some drastic shifts in market. Knowing this will continue to happen throughout the years and feeling the repercussions, we decided to start offering Airbnb design, as well as interior design services. Designing airbnbs has actually become one my teams favorite things to do. We are also launching an online store of “shop our favorites” coming this fall. Who knows what the future holds, but I’m proud to say that my team and I have been able to navigate through these challenges with success.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My father is an extremely successful business owner and has always been an inspiration to me. He taught me early on that the team you build around yourself and company is the most important thing you can do as a business owner, you are only as successful as your employees, so always take care of them and make sure they are happy. This is something I prioritize every day. At Native Habitat we work hard and play hard. I love to take my team out to fun team bonding events or impromptu Friday doughnuts or lunch. I am so fortunate to have the team I do, Native Habitat would not be where it is today without them.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nativehabitatdesign.com
• Instagram: native habitat design

Image Credits
Jessica Miller San Diego Interior Photography Ollie Paterson