We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Francesca Cavallin Mead a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Francesca, appreciate you joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
I don’t wish I had started my business sooner or later. I believe I started it at exactly the right time for where I was in life and mentally. That said, the path wasn’t linear.
My background is in translating and interpreting; I earned my BA in Chinese and English from a university in Italy. After moving to the U.S., I worked for several years as a paralegal before pursuing a Master’s in Interior Architecture. I believe that my education and work experience outside of design shaped the entrepreneur in me. Even back then, my goal in studying interior design was always to build my own business. That, I knew all along.
When I first launched SentireDesign, I had just had my first baby. I used to always be so busy, and thought I finally would have some “free time” (what a misconception in hindsight!). I felt empowered and ready for a new challenge.
Very quickly, I realized that building something from the ground up while navigating new motherhood was incredibly demanding. Meeting prospective clients and taking on projects felt exciting, but I didn’t have the bandwidth or clarity to follow through the way I wanted. After a few small projects, I put the business on hold and returned to a more stable and predictable job at a law firm.
A couple of years later, after my second baby was born, the idea of relaunching SentireDesign resurfaced. I craved the flexibility and creativity that a 9-to-5 job couldn’t offer. I dove back in, pouring all the free moments I had between mothering a newborn and a toddler into client work. But again, I hit the same wall—there just wasn’t enough time or space in my life to grow the business the way I envisioned.
So, I took a step back and accepted a position at an architecture firm. It was a practical decision—it gave me invaluable experience in high-end residential design, the schedule aligned with preschool hours, and I knew it would make me a stronger designer. Over those few years, I grew tremendously in skills and confidence. I fell more in love with the profession and, perhaps more importantly, with the idea of doing it on my own terms.
In October 2023, I launched SentireDesign for the third—and final—time. This time, it felt different. I knew what I needed: a clear plan, professional support, brand clarity, better marketing strategies, and a commitment to showing up and networking. I also knew how to protect my time and energy. When people ask how business is going, I smile and think, “I haven’t given up this time”. I’m more motivated, more confident, and more aligned with my purpose than ever.
So no, I wouldn’t change a thing. Each “false start” gave me the tools, perspective, and resilience I needed to get here. They weren’t failures—they were part of my foundation.
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.
My name is Francesca, and I’m the founder and principal designer of SentireDesign, a boutique interior design studio based in Thousand Oaks, California. I was born and raised in Treviso, a beautiful town near Venice, Italy, and my Italian upbringing deeply influences my aesthetic and values. The name “Sentire” means to feel in Italian—it’s a word that embodies the sensory richness I aim to bring into every space I design. For me, design isn’t just visual; it’s about creating a full sensory experience that feels intentional, warm, and deeply personal.
My journey into design wasn’t linear, but it was always intuitive. I’ve always been drawn to how spaces affect us—how light, texture, and function can influence our emotions and behaviors. After moving to the U.S. in my twenties, I started to pursue design more seriously, eventually launching my own business in 2012. What began with small remodels has grown into a full-service studio specializing in high-end residential projects, new construction, and remodels across Los Angeles and Ventura.
SentireDesign offers a range of services, from complete design and project management to hourly consultations and customized design guides. I’ve recently introduced professionally curated one-topic consultation packages that can be downloaded directly from my website, that are beautifully illustrated and tailored to help clients make clear design decisions with confidence.
I also offer the “Vision and Space Session”, a focused, high-touch design session tailored to discerning homeowners who want professional insight, refined taste, and a clear path forward, without committing to a full-service package right away. All these can be found on my website.
What sets me apart is the depth of care and integrity I bring to every project. I treat each home as if it were my own. I won’t recommend anything I haven’t seen, touched, or approved of myself. I take time to understand how things are constructed and whether they’re truly worth the investment. My clients know I’ll be honest with them, keep detailed notes, track every step, and provide ongoing updates—they can trust that I’m always thinking ten steps ahead.
The problems I solve for my clients usually involve clarity, cohesion, and confidence. Many of them feel overwhelmed by choices or stuck between styles. I help them make sense of their space, align it with their lifestyle, and elevate it with both elegance and function. I’m most proud when I see my clients feel at home—truly at peace—in the spaces we’ve created together.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s that I approach every project with heart, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility. I’m here to listen, solve problems, and design spaces that feel as good as they look.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe my reputation has been built on trust, transparency, and a genuine sense of responsibility toward each project I take on. I approach every request with great care: I need to fully understand how things work, how they’re built, and whether they’re truly worth the investment before recommending them to my clients. If I wouldn’t choose something for myself, I won’t offer it to someone else. In fact, I often see and evaluate materials or products firsthand because I know my clients rely on me to be their filter and advocate.
It’s a bit like buying a gift—I would never give something I wouldn’t be happy to receive myself. No detail is too small, and no question goes unanswered. I take pride in offering peace of mind, clarity, and consistent communication throughout every phase of a project. I’m diligent about taking notes, tracking progress, and regularly updating clients so they feel informed and supported.
I think what really resonates with people is that I’m not just executing a vision, I’m emotionally and professionally invested in their experience. That genuine involvement and reliability is what has earned their trust and, in turn, shaped my reputation in the market.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Persistence and resilience have been at the core of my journey both professionally and personally. Beyond the challenges of building my business, one of the most defining experiences of resilience came when I moved to the U.S. alone in my early twenties. I was the only one in my family to leave Italy; everyone else still live back home. I followed my heart: I had met my American boyfriend (now husband) while studying in China, and despite coming from different countries and cultures, we were determined to build a life together.
Navigating the complexities of immigration wasn’t easy. I faced years of bureaucratic hurdles, visa applications, and long periods of uncertainty. There were times when we couldn’t fully plan our future—we had to live where we were allowed to, work where we could, and adapt constantly. It wasn’t the path we dreamed of, but we kept going.
Eventually, after years of patience and persistence, we became dual citizens—both U.S. and Italian—and built a stable life for our family. Today, it might seem like everything fell into place, but I’ll never forget how much heart, grit, and faith it took to get here. That experience taught me to keep believing, even when something feels impossible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sentiredesign.com/
- Instagram: @sentiredesign
- Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/francesca- cavallin-mead/ - Yelp: SentireDesign
- Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sentiredesign/
Image Credits
Photography:
Molly Rose
Adrian Valle