We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Madison Massaro. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Madison below.

Madison, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I seriously feel so lucky that I get to do this every day. Of course there are days that are more stressful than others just because I am my own boss and have to do everything business-and-creative-wise myself – but honestly, the thought of having to work a regular 9-to-5 job that isn’t fulfilling makes me feel super discouraged, and I genuinely feel bad for people that aren’t doing what they love every single day. My heart goes out to the people that don’t know what they’re passionate about yet, or even what they’re good at. I know a lot of teens and young adults in my generation that are still searching for that answer, which is why I feel so lucky that I realized that interior design was my passion at the age of 19. I do not take that clarity for granted, and I truly have been loving it ever since.

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?

I have always been a creative person – even from the age of 2 or 3 I would create crazy outfits and give my family a fashion show. I have always had a knack for colors and patterns, and have always been able to remember what people wore from different events, whether it happened weeks, months, or years beforehand! That creativity transitioned into interior design after I worked for 2 different designers back-to-back and learned the ins and outs of the business. What’s funny is that before I started my company in 2020, the majority of the people around me assumed I was going to be a teacher. They knew that I had graduated with my Associates Degree in Elementary Education at the age of 18 and that I always used to play “teacher” as a kid. So when I told my family and friends that I had started my own interior design company, everyone kind of freaked out and I had 5 clients right off the bat! So I definitely started this journey out on a high note and have been riding that wave ever since. I think something significant that sets me apart, and cool about me running this company at my age, is that I bring a young and fresh perspective to the table regardless of the design style or overall vibe. I think that’s a big reason why I’ve had so much success with such a wide range of ages (18 to 68). The bottom line is that no one wants their space to be described as “old”, “cluttered” or “dated” (even the older generation wants their vintage homes to feel “elegant”, “cozy” or “inviting”. There’s a difference!) A big part of my job is to give my clients a cohesive space that makes them feel at peace! That looks different for each person (from Modern, to Boho, to Coastal, to Minimalistic) – but no matter the desired design scheme or budget, I do everything in my power to cultivate a beautiful space that sparks joy in that client.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My daily goal is to make my clients happy. It makes me feel so special that they chose me and trusted me to come in and transform their space – so no matter how stressful my day may get with my abundance of responsibilities and tasks, I always try to go above and beyond to meet my clients needs. My long-term goal that drives me every day with social media and my overall online presence is to have my company name be more nationally recognized. Even over the past two years I’ve gained a lot of clients remotely in different states which makes me really excited for the future and how much my company can expand!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think a big thing that sets me apart from other designers (not just in my area but in general) is that I deliver quality work at a reasonable price. I’ve been told a fair share of horror stories from friends, family, and clients about how much other designers are charging – which don’t get me wrong, I’m a big advocate for knowing your worth! But I’ve also made it my mission to be a designer for all people. I think I’ve found the sweet spot between valuing my time and expertise, while also having my services be attainable. It is not in my nature to take advantage of anyone just for an extra buck. Of course I have certain boundaries in place that I uphold as a business owner – but customer loyalty and my reputation is so much more important to me than “getting rich.” That has never been the goal, and will never be the reason for being in this industry. I genuinely love what I do and it makes me so happy to help other people achieve the space of their dreams – that’s what drives me, and I think people can tell.

Contact Info:

• Website: MadisonLeaInteriors.com
• Instagram: Mads_Massaro
• Facebook: Madison Lea Interiors LLC
• Other: LTK: MadisonLeaInteriorsLLC