We recently connected with Kalen Mehlman and have shared our conversation below.

Kalen, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
For many years, I worked as an interior designer and artist through a local high-end boutique which provided unique design services and custom art pieces for homes. While I truly enjoyed my work at this boutique and our many lovely clients and staff, I felt there was greater opportunity for the scope of my work as an independent business owner. To begin, Kalen’s Place was created as a “side business” out of my studio at home, providing design services, pieces of specialty artwork, and art events of all kinds. I was able to do this alongside my work at the boutique. As a single parent at the time, this allowed for a very necessary additional income flow and added experience in my trade. As time progressed and I became more knowledgeable about ways in which to grow my work, my client relationships, and business scope-I determined that I should give Kalen’s Place a real opportunity for true growth. While this was exciting and I felt confident in my decision, I also felt taking this risk caused me to feel vulnerable and scared. The “unknown” thoughts of business success, progress vs. failure, and hope for future projects at times felt heavy…would this risk be worth leaving a steady pay check, a consistent work schedule and security for myself and my family? Long story…short. Best decision I’ve ever made in my life. The upsides have unequivocally out-weighed the down. By taking the risk to grow Kalen’s Place, I was able to work independently, carve out meaningful business relationships both with clients and the trade, and create long-term success year after year.

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?
Kalen’s Place is a brand that specializes in creative design services and custom pieces of artwork for the home. As a designer, my client’s “voice”, style, budget & aesthetic is paramount in the decisions we make for their spaces. The way in which my clients live in their homes, what brings them joy, their vision of design for their family that suits their personal needs…this is always my goal. For me to create spaces that provide happiness, meaning, and interest-that is always my true intention. Providing insight, clever interior concepts, and unique direction is challenging and satisfying as lovely spaces begin to emerge. When designing, my hope is to provide creative solutions unique to every space in the home requiring design. Some of my design philosophies at Kalen’s Place include: *Mixing old and new provides character and style *Repurpose what you’ve got if you love it…and I’ll help you figure out the process in getting there! *Go “high and low” on your budget-spending a little extra for the very special pieces while cutting back in some places where no one would notice. *Add pops of color…color makes people feel happy! *Reframe, electrify, or repaint that unique find that has hidden potential.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Integrity, commitment and trust is everything when it comes to building a reputation within my industry. My clients rely on and trust my best intentions to design their homes. The design process takes time, many conversations, meetings and investment in goods. My clients must feel that they’re being provided unique services that suit their personal styles and that they can trust the process of purchasing items and successful design installations. I have found that in fostering good intention, trust, and commitment-people want to share that with others, giving recommendations and referrals based on these traits.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
In my industry as an interior designer and artist, every day is inspiring simply by the nature of my business which requires fresh ideas, perspectives and insight on a daily basis with many clients whose tastes and aesthetics range in spectrum from classic/traditional to boho/eclectic to transitional/rustic. As an artist and creative, I am able to create and compile desired color palettes, textures, fabrics, materials, furnishings and decor that perfectly define the wide range of my client’s endless varying tastes. Every day is challenging and new. All roads wind and unfold creatively. The daily journey is never the same. This is most rewarding for me as an artist and designer.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kalensplace.com
• Instagram: @kalensplace
• Facebook: Kalen’s Place

Image Credits
Rachel Smak: Editorial Photog/Creative Director/Write with Light