We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Meinhold a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

At Lauren Meinhold Design, I prioritize fairness and transparency in my pricing, ensuring that my clients receive the best value without any hidden fees. My remote setup allows me to cater to clients globally, while my commitment to efficiency means timely delivery of finished products. With five years of experience in the industry, I’m dedicated to providing exceptional service at a reasonable cost.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My introduction to the world of interior design traces back to my childhood, where exploring model homes with my family sparked my interest in interior architecture and home staging. Like many designers, I found myself rearranging furniture and critiquing spaces from a young age.

Being naturally drawn to creative pursuits, such as design, cooking, and art, I immersed myself in these subjects throughout my education. By my senior year of high school, I was certain that pursuing a degree in design was my path. While attending Clayton State University to complete my basic courses, I later transferred to Georgia State University for Interior Architecture.

My journey included valuable internships with a manufacturers rep and a commercial/residential designer in Atlanta. These experiences emphasized the importance of building strong relationships and taught me valuable lessons about navigating the industry.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted my plans, leading me to take on a non-design job to make ends meet. While I cherished my time working at a family diamond business, I yearned to return to the design world. Eventually, I found myself working as an AutoCAD drafter and later joined a national commercial design firm before venturing out to start my own business. It’s worth noting that I had prayed for clarity about sharing my designs and personal presence online. Surprisingly, shortly afterward, I found myself unexpectedly laid off. This experience allowed me to fully explore my creativity and authenticity, free from the confines of the corporate environment.

In early 2024, I launched Lauren Meinhold Design, offering services including concept imaging, design boards, space planning, and consultations. Whether clients seek comprehensive design solutions or simply need guidance on specific aspects of their project, I strive to provide personalized assistance tailored to their needs.

What sets Lauren Meinhold Design apart is our commitment to fairness and efficiency. By operating remotely, I can serve clients worldwide without compromising on quality or timeliness. With five years of industry experience, clients can trust me to deliver exceptional value at a reasonable cost.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The guiding force behind everything I do in life is my faith in Jesus. It inspires me to show love and compassion to others and myself, whether I’m designing a space that brings comfort and joy or simply interacting with others. This faith extends into my work as a designer, where I aim to create environments that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their budget. When clients entrust me with their projects, they can rest assured that their investment is in good hands. I approach each design with my clients’ unique needs and goals in mind, ensuring that their space reflects their vision and enhances their lives.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Twice in my journey as an interior designer, I found myself needing to pivot. The first instance arose when I completed my college education during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, finding myself unable to continue my internship due to reduced workload and a virtually nonexistent job market. This period taught me a valuable lesson: to place my trust in the timing guided by faith and to appreciate the distinctiveness of my own journey, without feeling the need to compare it to others’.

The most recent pivot occurred when I decided to embark on the journey of starting a virtual interior design business. It was a step I never anticipated taking at this stage in my career. Interestingly, I had prayed for clarity regarding sharing my designs and myself online, and shortly after, I found myself unexpectedly laid off. This event granted me the freedom to fully embrace my creativity and authenticity, unencumbered by the constraints of the corporate world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laurenmeinholddesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmeinholddesign_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070349533808
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-meinhold-4341b7129/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/laurenmeinhold_/

Image Credits
Lauren Meinhold and Summer Evans