Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to KELLY HAYES. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

KELLY, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Being stubbornly persistent to what you aspire to! In business and in life, challenges arise and the ability to push forward despite the struggle, giving myself the grace to rest and recharge but not giving up has been one of the greatest elements for success.

KELLY, 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?

Carriage House Studio was founded in 2019 and is a Minneapolis-based interior design firm with projects sprinkled throughout the metro area, North Dakota, Montana, and Arizona.

Kelly Hayes Erickson, Owner & Principal Designer is a creative who believes in the power of beautiful interiors to transform daily life.  With a BA in Anthropology from Montana State University and a well-trained eye for quality, exceptional craftsmanship, curated furnishings, and textiles, she continues to be recognized for her crisp, timeless style and designs that remain fresh year after year.

Kelly is best known for creating polished spaces that are functional, life-friendly, and beautiful. Each project speaks to her client’s own interests, travels, and lifestyle. Her aesthetic is classic with a twist, timeless with a hint of edge. She prides herself on her attention to detail, obsession with quality and love for local craftspeople.

An active member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), Kelly participates in community collaborations with Brittany’s Place and Haven House. Spearheading a remodel with Tubman, she organized local tradespeople and retailers to donate time and materials to transforming a space for counseling and support for women with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues.
Kelly’s work is regularly featured in design and lifestyle publications including Midwest Home.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

In the interior design space, there are many times when a vendor requires a minimum order expenditure in order to have an account with them or to place an order. During 2020 and into 2021, I was sitting very heavily with inventory that I had acquired but had been unable to sell. We were in the final weeks of a major remodel and sub-contractors needed to be paid and a few final materials needed to be procured. Due to the massive amount of inventory I had and the lack of available sales, I was at a place in my business where I needed to either close the doors, or do anything I could think of in order to move it forward. Through inventory sales, consignment, and strict spending, I was able to balance the business and keep the company running.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

For my design projects, I am often working with clients for an extended period of time. During our work together, we establish a relationship and get to know our clients on a personal level. Through celebrations and challenges, both personally and professionally, we end up fostering the relationship over time so that even once the project has come to a close, I am still invested in their family-I care about their child off to college, the new job promotion, or the recent travels they’ve gone on. I genuinely care about the people who work with me, and therefore I take a real, vested interest in who they are and likewise, they with me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carriagehousestudiomn.com
• Instagram: @carriagehousestudiomn

Image Credits
Chelsie Lopez Production