We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Harmony Young. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Harmony below.
Hi Harmony, thanks for joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?
Nearly a decade ago, I co-founded a home staging company—an ambitious step that marked my transition from being a stay-at-home mom for 15 years to becoming a business owner for the first time. Fueled by a deep passion to pursue something fulfilling beyond motherhood, I found the world of design and decorating to be a natural and exciting path. Staging felt like the perfect fit—and in the beginning, it was.
The business grew rapidly. We began hiring employees, investing in trucks and trailers, and eventually leased a warehouse to support our expansion. As the company evolved, so did my creative passion. I found myself increasingly drawn to the interior design aspect of the work, and over time, it became clear that my heart was leading me in a different direction.
After four years, I made the difficult but necessary decision to transition out of the staging business in order to pursue interior design full-time. It took a few challenging years to fully step away, but that journey ultimately led to the creation of Harmony Young Design.
For the past three years, Harmony Young Design has operated as a full-service interior design firm. Through word-of-mouth referrals and strong client relationships, I’ve been fortunate to grow both my business and my team—we’re now a group of five passionate individuals dedicated to creating thoughtful, beautiful, and functional spaces. I’ve had the privilege of working on incredible projects that have challenged me creatively and allowed me to develop innovative solutions for my clients.
My experience in building the staging company taught me invaluable lessons in business—how to treat people with integrity, lead with empathy, and always strive to do what’s right. These values remain at the core of my design practice and continue to guide everything I do.
Over the years, I’ve also learned to trust my instincts and lead with confidence. I no longer second-guess myself when making creative or business decisions. I’ve come to believe that when I prioritize my clients’ needs and stay true to their vision, the best results naturally follow. I am grateful for every step of this journey and proud of the company I’ve built—one rooted in authenticity, passion, and service.
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 love for design has been a constant throughout my life. Creativity has always come naturally to me—whether through art, fashion, or decorating, I’ve always found joy in expressing myself visually. During the first 15 years of my adult life, I chose to stay home and raise my children, which remains one of my proudest accomplishments. During that time, I also poured my creativity into our home and helped friends and family with their own spaces, further nurturing my passion for design.
As my youngest child began school, I found myself longing for something that fulfilled me beyond motherhood—something that allowed me to pursue my creativity in a meaningful way. With a clear vision and a deep passion, I set out to build a career doing what I love. After co-founding and growing a successful home staging company, I made the bold decision to step out on my own and launch a full-time interior design firm.
Today, I’m the founder and lead designer of Harmony Young Design, supported by a small, dedicated team that includes a fellow designer, a project manager, and part-time staff assisting with social media, marketing, and bookkeeping.
At Harmony Young Design, we believe that great interiors are inspired by real life—by our clients’ stories, their experiences, and the spaces they dream of creating. We approach every project with the belief that a home should be a true reflection of the people who live in it. From travel and meaningful moments to daily routines, we draw from these influences to create interiors that feel personal, timeless, and uniquely you.
Our services include new construction, full remodels, and room refreshes. We provide 3D renderings, design boards, comprehensive furnishing packages, and finishing touches through accessory styling. Clear, open communication is at the heart of what we do. We prioritize collaboration, organization, and attentiveness to ensure every detail is carefully considered—and every client feels heard and supported throughout the design process.
We understand that a home is one of the most important investments a person can make. That’s why we take our role seriously and aim to make the journey enjoyable, inspiring, and deeply rewarding for our clients.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
As I previously mentioned, I co-owned a staging company. Our partnership started out great. I wouldn’t say we started out as friends, but more as acquantences. She brought skills to the business that I didn’t have. She had been a realtor and I had done some design projects & had the eye for it. Design has always come naturally for me, but owning a business was something I didn’t know a lot about. I relied on her at the beginning when it came to accounting & finances. Things were great in the beginning, but a few years in, and the bigger the company grew, I started to see red flags and we started to have partnership issues. Ultimately, I
I previously co-owned a home staging company. While the partnership began with promise, it was rooted more in mutual benefit than personal connection. My former partner brought experience as a realtor, while I contributed a natural eye for design and a passion for creating beautiful spaces. Though I was confident in my design abilities, I leaned on her in the early stages when it came to business operations, particularly accounting and finance.
In the beginning, our complementary skill sets allowed the business to grow quickly. However, as the company expanded, challenges emerged. I began to notice red flags and our professional relationship started to deteriorate. Ultimately, I made the difficult decision to leave the partnership so I could pursue design full time on my own terms. This decision was not well received, and the process of separating from the business was long and emotionally taxing. With no formal contracts in place and shared debt to navigate, it took nearly two years to finalize the transition.
Although I did not walk away with much financially, I left with something far more valuable: my integrity and a wealth of experience. The process forced me to confront self-doubt, face hard truths, and learn how to stand on my own as a business owner. I discovered a deep well of resilience, determination, and strength within myself.
Since then, I’ve built a new business from the ground up—one that reflects my values, passion, and vision. I go the extra mile for my clients because I genuinely love what I do, and I find so much joy in helping people create their dream homes. The challenges I faced taught me to trust my intuition, lead with integrity, and always stand up for what I believe is right. Those lessons continue to guide me every day as I grow my business with intention and heart.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
I’m incredibly fortunate to lead a small but mighty team. What makes our team even more special is how organically it came together—both of my current employees reached out to me directly through social media, asking if I was hiring. At the time, I had a gut feeling that it was the right moment to grow, even though I was initially hesitant about the commitment that comes with bringing on staff. As any business owner knows, taking on payroll is a significant responsibility, and it’s not something I took lightly. But I trusted my instincts, took the leap, and it’s turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. Both hires have been exceptional additions to the business.
Positivity is something I lead with—it’s core to who I am, and I try to cultivate that same energy within our team. I believe a positive attitude can carry us through challenges and elevate our work. What’s beautiful about our team dynamic is that the encouragement flows both ways. If I’m having a tough day, someone is always there to say, “It’s going to be great, don’t worry!” That mutual support creates a strong, uplifting atmosphere in our office.
I care deeply about my team and make a point to show it. We often start our mornings with casual conversation, checking in on how everyone’s evening or weekend went. That simple act of connection sets the tone for a collaborative day. At the same time, I balance that camaraderie with clear leadership. I strive to lead with confidence, offer kind but constructive feedback, and set expectations that help us all grow. I remind my team that mistakes happen—it’s how we respond and learn from them that matters most.
Because we’re a small firm, team chemistry is everything. Before making a new hire, I always involve my current team in the process. I value their opinions and want to ensure that any addition will complement the dynamic we’ve worked so hard to build. That sense of shared ownership strengthens our culture and reinforces that we’re truly in this together.
I also believe in rewarding hard work and investing in my team’s development. We enjoy weekly team lunches, design field trips, and fully paid visits to design markets throughout the year. These experiences not only help my team expand their knowledge, but they also give us a chance to bond outside the day-to-day workflow. It’s a joy to see our team thrive both professionally and personally, and I’m proud of the environment we’ve created.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.harmonyyoungdesign.com
- Instagram: @harmonyyoungdesign
- Facebook: Harmony Young Design
- Other: Tik Tok-@harmonyyoungdesign
Image Credits
Cristina Zolotaia Photography
Josh Wells Photography
Allison Niccum