We were lucky to catch up with Kathleen Garito recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kathleen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

After a successful 21-year career in retail, I decided to leave my demanding job and pursue my passion for interior design. The decision was inspired by my desire to adopt my daughter internationally and build a life that allowed me to be the mom I wanted to be.
In 2005, I enrolled in a 12-week interior design course and launched my design firm simultaneously. Driven to learn more, I pursued an AA degree in Interior Design while managing my growing business and waiting for my adoption referral, which took three years. Just two quarters from graduation, I traveled to China to bring home my daughter, Isabella Rose Xi Garito. I later completed my degree and I was asked to be a professor at one of the top Interior design schools in Newport Beach. Then I fully committed to my thriving design and staging business.
Today, I’m a proud single mom, an interior design professional, and a business owner who transforms lives through design. Taking this leap of faith was a risk, but it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Kathleen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I worked for Lerner Shops, which became NY&CO under Limited Brands. I led the branding transition across New York and New Jersey, managing several district managers and hundreds of sales associates. After successfully rebranding this region, I was assigned to oversee the process in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, followed by California.
I later became Regional Operations Manager for the entire West Coast. A few years after NY&CO was sold, Bath & Body Works contacted me to manage their flagship stores in Southern California and Arizona. Eventually, I retired to pursue my passion for interior design.
With extensive experience in hiring, training, and operations, I quickly understood how to build a profitable business. I focused on learning new materials and creating both internal and external teams to bring my vision to life.
What sets my firm apart is our ability to work with any budget, from moderately priced projects to high-end designs. No matter the budget, we deliver beautiful results. We specialize in every style, ensuring our services cater to any client’s needs, as long as the budget is realistic.
I take a holistic approach to design, believing that homes should bring peace and offices should foster productivity. I pride myself on making clients feel comfortable, listening to their needs, and asking the right questions. I work closely with a detail-oriented general contracting team to bring designs to life seamlessly. I also help clients create realistic budgets to avoid surprises, making the process easy and stress-free.
Our services include consultations, paint color selection, furniture and accessory sourcing, reworking existing pieces, complete remodels, and exterior designs, such as pools and backyards. We strive to create beautiful, functional spaces that elevate our clients’ lives.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

After 19 years of running a successful business in California, transitioning to Florida required a fresh approach. While my brand was already established, I had to focus on networking and cultivating new relationships to thrive in a different market.
During my first year and a half, I frequently traveled back to California for work to sustain income. However, I soon realized that being away from Florida for weeks at a time meant missing valuable opportunities to build local connections.
At the end of 2022, I made the strategic decision to close my California office and fully commit to growing my business in Florida, focusing on the region from Fort Lauderdale to Jupiter. I joined local chambers of commerce, attended real estate associations, and concentrated on fostering relationships with general contractors and trade showrooms.
Now, those efforts are paying off as referrals are steadily coming in from my networking groups, GCs, trade partners and clients. I’ve learned that true success in a new market isn’t about simply handing out business cards, it’s about building authentic relationships and following up with intention.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

With a strong operations background, profitability has always been my primary focus, and it’s a principle I’ve instilled in my students as well. I firmly believe in growing a business gradually without relying on loans or credit to finance large offices or staff. Instead, I took a measured approach, starting small and scaling thoughtfully.
When I launched my business, I kept my overhead minimal. My home office and garage served as my workspace, while a virtual office provided a professional address to protect my privacy. This approach allowed me to focus on building the business without unnecessary expenses.
In year two, I rented a small 8×8 storage unit. By year three, I upgraded to a 10×10 with drive-up access. By year five, I had two 10×10 units, and in year six, I began sharing a warehouse. Finally, in year eight, I secured a 3,500-square-foot warehouse with offices, giving my business the space to thrive. Throughout this process, my company remained highly profitable.
I started my business with just $500 and grew it slowly, step by step. Now, as I establish operations in Florida, I’m applying the same strategy to build a strong and sustainable foundation. By 2025, I plan to open another office, continuing this proven approach to success

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kginteriordesign.com
• Instagram: KGINSPIRES
• Facebook: KG Interior Design Kathleen Garito
• Linkedin: yes
• Youtube: Yes

Image Credits

Stuart Hoffmans for the kitchen pics