We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michaela Shields. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michaela below.
Michaela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
When I was pregnant with my second child, my husband and I began discussing what it would look like if I went out on my own. It wasn’t something I had ever considered, and honestly I was too scared to have so much liability on my own shoulders. I had built up a great clientele and had strong relationships in the industry, and he encouraged me to go for it. I would be able to be home with the baby beyond my 3 month maternity leave, and have more time to tend to our family’s needs and our home. I spent the last month of my maternity leave filing an LLC and starting the ball rolling, but I still was not ready to commit. My plan had been to go back and try to renegotiate my contract to work from home. Since they were not amenable to that, we parted ways and I never looked back. I was terrified, newly postpartum, and caring for a newborn, but my business took off so much faster than I could have ever expected. I have spent the past year and a half working part time as a freelance designer, making substantially more money than I did as a full time employee. Most importantly, I am able to be home and be a fully present mom and wife for my family. It is something I wish I had done sooner, but I gained so much valuable experience with every position I held prior, that I wouldn’t change a thing.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I work with clients to develop plans and select finishes for their homes. I am particularly fond of remodeling, because it is like a puzzle. I love the challenge of taking a space that does not function well for someone, and making it suit the needs of their family, as well as making it aesthetically pleasing. I specialize in cabinet design, as well as ADA compliant design and aging in place. My number one goal in any space is that it would functional and accessible, no matter what stage of life you are in.
I love helping my clients bring their vision to life. My objective is never to leave my trademark stamp on a space, but rather to make it a representation of the people who live there.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
One of my number one goals when designing any space is accessibility. I have a passion for helping create universally accessible spaces that allow for the user to maintain a sense of independence. I know that I get to make a real impact in these client’s lives, and it is about more than just making a beautiful home for them. I try to take that same mindset into every single project I do, because I firmly believe that everyone deserves to feel at peace in their own home.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mshieldsdesign.com
- Instagram: @m.shieldsdesign
- Facebook: @m.shieldsdesign
Image Credits
Blue Grass Real Estate Media Team Pending Media