We were lucky to catch up with Maisy Leigh recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maisy, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

My love for ideating and bringing ideas to life has always guided me, but taking the leap to pursue this passion full-time was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. My heart was always drawn to design and storytelling. For years, I followed the safe path: earning my degree, landing a corporate job, and settling into the steady rhythm of nine-to-five life. But deep down, I felt like I was ignoring a part of myself—the creative side that constantly dreamed of making, sharing, and connecting.

The turning point came when I realized I could no longer ignore the pull. I began creating YouTube videos as a passion project, documenting my creative process and the things that inspired me. What started as a hobby quickly became a calling. The joy of sharing my journey and connecting with people around the world gave me a sense of fulfillment I’d never felt before.

But this wasn’t a solo risk. I took a leap of faith and convinced my boyfriend, Tristan (an engineer), and my sister, Ashleigh (an artist), to join me on this journey. Together, we founded Cozyleigh Studios—a creative design studio where we combine our skills and passions to create products that speak to us and resonate with others. From cozy desk accessories to unique lamps, we’ve built something that reflects who we are.

Now, we’re facing our next big risk: transitioning from our home studio to a dedicated physical space. It’s a leap into the unknown, with challenges like higher overhead costs and the responsibility of managing a real workspace. But it’s also incredibly exciting—this move symbolizes the growth of our business and the trust we have in our collective vision.

Looking back, taking that first leap taught me that true growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. This journey has been anything but easy, but it’s brought me closer to who I want to be and the life I want to live. I’ve learned that the biggest risks often come with the most rewarding outcomes.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Maisy Leigh, a designer, small business owner, and content creator with a background in software engineering and UX/UI design. My journey into this creative world wasn’t planned—it unfolded naturally through a desire to combine my technical skills with my love for design and storytelling. After graduating and landing a corporate job as a software engineer, I realized something was missing: the freedom to explore, create, and connect with others in a way that felt meaningful. That realization led me to take a leap of faith, leaving my stable career behind to pursue a path where I could fully embrace my creative passions.

I started sharing my journey through YouTube videos in 2020, documenting my process of designing, creating, and building things that brought me joy. What began as a side project quickly evolved into a full-time career when I saw how much my content resonated with people around the world. Around this time, I convinced my partner Tristan (an engineer) and my sister Ashleigh (an artist) to join me, and together we founded Cozyleigh Studios.

Cozyleigh Studios is a creative design studio where we merge our skills to craft thoughtful, cozy products and experiences for people who love good design and slow living. Our offerings range from aesthetic tech accessories (like our 3D Printed Zen MagSafe charger stands and Cozyleigh Magnetic desk mats) to home décor pieces (like cozy lamps inspired by matcha) and intentional digital products like desktop wallpapers & digital planners. Everything we create is designed with intention to help people cultivate spaces that feel warm, personal, and inspiring—whether it’s a work desk or a corner of their living room.

What sets us apart is that our work is deeply personal. Each product we design comes from our own experiences of wanting to create comfort and beauty in our lives. We know the impact a well-designed space can have on your productivity, creativity, and peace of mind, so we aim to bring that same feeling to others.

Beyond the products, we share our creative journey through vlogs and short-form content. We want our followers to feel like they’re part of the process—whether we’re brainstorming designs, running our 3D printing workshop, or packing orders. It’s not just about selling products; it’s about building a connection with people who value intentional living and creativity.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built around Cozyleigh Studios. Seeing our products become part of someone’s daily life—like a desk setup that sparks joy or a cozy lamp that lights up their evenings—is incredibly rewarding. Another milestone I hold dear is the leap we’re about to take: moving from our home studio to a dedicated physical space. It’s a huge step for us, but one that symbolizes growth and the belief we have in our vision.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and our work, it’s this: we’re a family-run business built on the idea that life is short, and it’s worth creating things that make you happy. I hope our journey inspires others to pursue their passions, embrace creativity, and build spaces that reflect who they are.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the most challenging pivots I’ve had to make was realizing that running a growing design studio out of my home wasn’t sustainable. When we first started Cozyleigh Studios, it felt perfect—our home doubled as a cozy, creative workspace where ideas flowed freely. But as the business grew and demand for our products increased, so did the amount of space we needed. Before long, every corner of our home was overtaken by our work—shelves packed with inventory, 3D printers humming constantly, and packaging materials scattered everywhere.

It started to feel like my home was no longer my sanctuary. Instead of a peaceful space where I could relax and recharge, it had become a warehouse. This made it incredibly difficult to film lifestyle content, which is such an important part of my creative process and connection with my audience. I began to feel stuck—unable to share my life authentically because my environment no longer reflected the balance I wanted to convey.

The pressure of keeping up with growing demand only added to the struggle. I knew how much our community loved our products, and we didn’t want to disappoint them. But with my content creation slowing down, doubt and anxiety started to creep in. I questioned whether I could manage it all—running the studio, keeping up with orders, and staying true to my passion for creating meaningful content.

After months of feeling stretched too thin, we made the decision to pivot and take a leap of faith: investing in a dedicated physical studio space. While it’s a big step with its own challenges, it already feels like a breath of fresh air. The new studio will give us room to grow, create, and stay organized, while also restoring the balance between our work and personal lives. Most importantly, it provides the creative freedom and clarity I’ve been craving—space to dream, design, and produce content without feeling like my life and work are constantly overlapping.

This pivot taught me an important lesson: sometimes growth requires letting go of what’s comfortable. While running a business from home worked at first, it was holding me back from fully stepping into the next chapter. Now, with this new space, I feel excited and ready to take on what’s next—for both the business and myself.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my audience on social media by sharing content that reflected my passions: creativity, design, and building spaces that inspire productivity and comfort. In the beginning, I focused on creating “design & code with me” videos, blending my background in software engineering and UX/UI design with my love for storytelling. This naturally led to sharing desk setup videos, where I showed people how to transform their workspaces into cozy, productive havens. These videos resonated deeply with viewers who, like me, wanted their environments to feel intentional and inspiring.

As my journey evolved, so did my content. When Cozyleigh Studios was born, I transitioned from personal creative projects to sharing the product journey—taking my audience behind the scenes of ideating, designing, and creating. This shift allowed me to connect on a new level by showing the heart and thoughtfulness behind every product we make, whether it’s a Zen MagSafe stand or a matcha-inspired lamp.

Throughout this journey, my goal has always been to inspire people to create spaces that feel like an extension of themselves—places where they feel comfortable, inspired, and grounded. It’s about more than just products or setups; it’s about embracing what I call a “zen & cozy” lifestyle, rooted in finding your ikigai (a sense of purpose), focusing on routines rather than rigid goals, and doing work that genuinely excites you.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice is:
1. Start with what you love. Share content that reflects your passions and feels authentic to who you are. Your enthusiasm will naturally attract people who share the same interests.
2. Be consistent but flexible. Consistency is key, but don’t be afraid to evolve as you grow. Your audience will grow with you when they see your journey unfold.
3. Focus on value. Think about how your content can inspire, teach, or connect with others. For me, it was showing how to create a cozy workspace, but for you, it could be something entirely different—focus on what you can offer.
4. Engage with your community. Building an audience isn’t just about numbers; it’s about creating meaningful connections. Respond to comments, ask questions, and involve your audience in your journey.
5. Embrace imperfection. Social media can feel intimidating, but you don’t have to have everything figured out from the start. Share your process, your wins, and even your struggles—people will appreciate the honesty.

Ultimately, building an audience is less about chasing numbers and more about creating a community. If you focus on staying true to your passions and providing value to others, your presence will grow in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cozyleigh.studio
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/maisyleigh
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/maisyleigh
• Other: Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@maisyleighs
  Cozyleigh Studios’ Instagram: https://instagram.com/cozyleigh.studios

Image Credits

Credits are mine!