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

Kirsten, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I would say it all began in my childhood. My dad was a business owner, and he was someone I really looked up to. I knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps. One of my first jobs was in a women’s boutique, and I loved it! It was then that I first knew I wanted to one day have my own shop. I wasn’t ready at the time, but it was always something I had in the back of my mind.

Many years and career jumps later, I found myself completely unsatisfied with my work-from-home job. It was about two years after the pandemic, and I had a remote job that I was thriving at, but it was not bringing me any joy. I knew I needed a change, I just didn’t know what it was going to be. Then, in January of 2023, I was laid off. Looking back, this came at the perfect time. I knew it was time to start something of my own.

In the two months after my layoff, I took some time to travel, work with a life coach, and figure out what type of business I wanted to open. I got the vision for Rye Home while traveling through France and Italy. I very much relate to the European lifestyle, and I love and appreciate good design and aesthetics. From a young age, I had an eye for design. I knew I wanted Rye to not just be a shop, but also offer design services, community events, and European getaways.

Upon returning home from Europe with my vision clear, Rye started to come to life. It began with finding a space, then figuring out the buildout, finding mentors to help me, buying products, interviewing employees, and slowly, my young-adult vision became a reality. From the moment I decided to open Rye to the opening party was only three months. When I have a vision that I believe in, I find a way to act on it. I have never been one to be scared of taking risks, and I truly believe you need that personality to thrive in the entrepreneurial space.

That is the short story of how Rye came to life. I have learned so much along the way, and I will be forever grateful for this experience and opportunity.

Kirsten, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

From a young age, home and design were a huge passion of mine. My mom also had a great eye for design and was an excellent homemaker. The house I grew up in was always thoughtfully designed, full of joy, and always had such a strong sense of “home.” This impacted me tremendously. As a sensitive person, I am highly affected by my surroundings, and I believe that design is so much more than just curating a space; it also has the power to give someone a feeling.

I would say one of my greatest talents is creating spaces that people don’t want to leave—a space that makes people feel calm and at home. My vision for Rye is to create a space with these qualities that the community could enjoy, with the hope that it would inspire more people to invest in their home/space.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

We love each and every one of our customers. We want everyone who shops at or comes into Rye to feel like a part of the Rye Family. We keep in touch with our customer database through newsletters, Instagram, and community events. I believe all of this creates great brand loyalty.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I’d say the best sources of new clients for us have been Instagram and word of mouth. Instagram has helped us tell and share the story of Rye, bringing new people in. Once they come in, they almost always return and spread the word. It’s been a great mix for growth!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ryehomeshop.com
• Instagram: @rye_home

Image Credits

Image of me- @Birchstudiophoto

Some of the others (not all) @emmakcreative