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

Melissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Capturing and retelling stories has always been a significant theme in my life.

I grew up in Coats, NC, a small southern town with a population of about 2,000. Our town, home of North Carolina’s first licensed pilot, has a rich history. One of my favorite pastimes was exploring the country roads around Coats, photographing abandoned buildings. These structures were steeped in stories from the past, like the antebellum tavern that later served as a hospital during the Civil War.

After earning a BA in Photography from Meredith College in Raleigh, I continued to delve into stories through both people and the places that shape their identities. In the summer of 2000, I studied photography in Paris, where I explored the same sites documented by the French pioneer of documentary photography, Eugene Atget. Atget’s photographs had captured Old Paris before industrial changes transformed it, creating a photographic inventory to preserve its beauty for future generations. Visiting many of these same locations, I captured my own images and found my own inspiration. Atget once said, “Paris does not care about your presence. It’s indifferent and will certainly go on without you.” For me, though, the beauty of Paris did not seem indifferent and apart, but rather deeply intertwined with its people. I see the soul of Paris in the connection of its architecture and its people.

I continue to be interested in the relationship between people and the space they inhabit. Whether through my personal work in digital media, photography, art, my humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia, or my career in design and tech, I’ve continued to seek out and share the narratives of people and places.

In 2022, I founded Formus Technology. FORMUS is about discovering how the FORM around US can inspire great stories and inspire the best versions of ourselves. If we can improve how people interact with each other in a space, we can preserve the essence of a space while still finding growth in innovation. Currently, the process of building or renovating a property can be overwhelming, often leading to delays, unforeseen costs, and compromises. My vision is that FORMUS will make the experience more organized and more enjoyable for everyone involved, allowing spaces to tell, share, and hold stories.

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

In 2016, my family and I made a big move from Nashville, TN to Austin, TX, to be closer to my husband’s family. We found a house that we liked, and after our only “showing” that was conducted through FaceTime, we wrote an offer. There were many things we liked about the home, but it was for sure a renovation project for us, and it seemed like the perfect blank canvas for our next chapter. And, what started as an exciting remodeling project quickly turned into a nightmare experience. We hired a local contractor based on a recommendation, only to face delays, excuses, changes in pricing, and ultimately unsafe conditions. After finding a couple of good contractors to help, and doing a lot of the work ourselves, we are ultimately happy with the result, but what a journey it’s been. This experience was eye-opening for us, and sadly it was far from unique—many homeowners encounter similar hurdles.

In 2021, I connected with a design-build startup in California, and soon was in a role that wore many hats, helping with operations, sales, and marketing. While I brought years of experience in design, project management, and building key connections for new businesses, I was excited to learn more from this industry. The experience gave me firsthand insight into the common barriers homeowners face, I saw so many folks without a comprehensive understanding of their projects, which was leading them to eventually see significant budget overruns and delays in their timeline. In a way, it was comforting to know that I wasn’t alone in my own recent struggles, but it also inspired me to explore these market pains further.

Owning a home in the U.S. can certainly be complicated. It’s such a significant milestone for Americans to own a home, while still navigating rising costs, fluctuating interest rates, and unknown obstacles along the way. More than 65% of Americans live in owner-occupied homes, and with the increased need for renovation and increasing costs to renovate, the need for a streamlined process is clear. The home design-build industry is vast, fragmented, and often poorly regulated, leading to unrealistic expectations fueled by the “HGTV effect.” Homeowners need clear, realistic guidance to navigate their projects and manage their expectations. That’s where Formus Technology comes in.

I founded FORMUS with a mission to transform the home renovation process. Our core offering, SADIE™, is an advanced AI engine designed to optimize the residential remodeling experience. SADIE™ is not just another AI bot; it’s a comprehensive platform that empowers renovation professionals to guide homeowners from planning, through completion, ensuring better communication and alignment among all stakeholders.

In addition, our platform helps homeowners visualize their remodels with resourceful information at the ideation stage of a home project, setting realistic expectations, assisting the renovation professionals in managing project timelines and budgets, and maintaining engagement throughout the process. By addressing these common pitfalls of industry miscommunication, budget overruns, and delayed timelines, FORMUS aims to provide a more organized and efficient renovation experience.

We didn’t want to build only something for certain renovation professionals, or something that only is used by homeowners. Instead, what sets FORMUS apart is our focus on bridging the gap between homeowners and renovation professionals. Everyone benefits from a cohesive platform that brings together various trade specialties and aligns their efforts with homeowners’ expectations.

I am most proud of my team and the incredible progress we have made to already make a positive impact on the home renovation industry. By addressing fundamental issues and introducing innovative solutions, we are helping homeowners achieve their dream spaces while minimizing stress and financial strain and preserving the joy and excitement of the process.

Formus Technology is committed to transforming the home remodeling experience. We understand the challenges and frustrations that come with renovation projects and are dedicated to providing a solution that enhances clarity, communication, and overall satisfaction. Our goal is to make your renovation journey as seamless and successful as possible, so you can enjoy your home to the fullest.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with many startups. I’m thankful for the many opportunities I’ve had to help create solutions that alleviate market problems. These learning experiences and achievements have taught me to wear many hats.

In my early 20s, living in San Francisco, I was offered a chance to be on the ground floor of a company later acquired by Apple. I declined and took up another opportunity to help build an e-Learning business, based on the East Coast. While it was intriguing to think about being a part of a groundbreaking company, I chose to stay on the East Coast, and pursue the e- Learning business. The business had strong momentum, working with clients like Citigroup and Sodexo. At a certain point, though, I was newly married and starting a family, and I decided to step away from central involvement in that venture and found a like-work balance with consulting.

In 2009, I had just had my second child and was building a robust consulting portfolio when I was offered a major project that could significantly boost my career. Unfortunately, the day before I was officially offered the job, I was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo immediate surgery and treatment over the next several months.

This period was incredibly challenging—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Yet, amidst this turmoil, I chose to set a personal goal: running a half marathon, something that had always been on my bucket list. My doctor initially told me it would be impossible to run, suggesting that maybe I could walk it instead. Undeterred by this limitation, I began training, starting from a point where I couldn’t even run a mile. Two months later, I ran, no walking, all 13.1 miles!

When I think of my version of resilience, this is it. Not giving up, pushing forward, determined to overcome the voice that says, “I can’t,” and to pursue my goal despite the odds. This attitude fueled my recovery and reminded me of my strength. It reinforced that, even in the toughest of times, setting personal goals and striving for them can provide the motivation and energy needed to push through challenges.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that resilience isn’t just about enduring difficulties but also about finding the strength to pursue your passions and goals, regardless of the obstacles life puts in the way.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A significant pivot occurred recently with our development focus at Formus Technology. Initially, when I delved into FORMUS, Virtual Reality (VR) was the cutting-edge technology capturing everyone’s attention. We created a VR proof of concept to showcase our vision of an immersive space for collaboration among all stakeholders. However, as we progressed, it became clear that VR technology was not yet sufficiently advanced to deliver substantial value for the renovation industry.

This realization led us to a critical turning point. We decided to shift our approach by walking through a kitchen renovation with a homeowner, and guiding them through the entire process. This hands-on experience allowed us to educate the homeowner, providing them with the necessary visuals to fully understand their designs. This was our “aha” moment. We discovered that the real value lay in educating homeowners about the process, which in turn empowered them to make smarter decisions. Additionally, it helped renovation professionals save time by enabling homeowners to grasp details more comprehensively.

As a result, we pivoted our development focus from VR visualization to leveraging AI to empower renovation professionals to manage homeowner expectations. Our advanced AI engine, trained with a robust construction knowledge base, empowers renovation professionals to guide homeowners from the planning phase, helping them make informed decisions as they navigate their renovations. By capturing project details and homeowner profiles, it enhances engagement and supports renovation professionals in managing homeowner expectations more effectively. This transformation strengthens communication and streamlines project management for all stakeholders involved.

At FORMUS, we believe that the stories within our homes deserve to be told, cherished, and preserved. By bridging the gap between homeowners and renovation professionals, we empower everyone involved to create spaces that reflect their unique narratives while managing expectations and minimizing stress. Visit formustech.com to join us on this journey of transformation and discover how our innovative solutions can elevate your renovation experience!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.formustech.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formustechnology/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissawood/