Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mitra Gholami. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mitra, 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 always felt destined to be a business owner, even from my early school days when I daydreamed about calling the shots. After earning my master’s degree, I finally seized the chance to launch my own venture: and the first project was the legendary Temple nightclub in San Francisco. Running a business was no cakewalk, though, and when life threw curveballs, I reluctantly became a 9-5er. Those days were my personal rock bottom—no creativity, no real challenges to tackle, just me stuck in an office staring at the same four walls and following ‘design standards’ that were sucking the life out of me.

From owning my business, where I thrived on face-to-face client interactions and tackling problems head-on, to sitting behind a desk—it was soul-crushing. My lack of enthusiasm at my day job started to show, and I found myself fired not once, but twice. Third time was supposed to be a charm, until COVID-19 hit, and I was laid off yet again. That’s when I realized the universe was sending me a clear message: focus on my own dreams and clients.

So here I am today, living that dream with my dream project—a boutique hotel in the heart of Los Angeles.”

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’ve always been passionate about design and art, which led me to pursue a master’s degree in interior design. My business primarily focuses on hospitality projects, including lounges, nightclubs, boutique hotels, and restaurants. Additionally, I have experience with residential and flip projects as both owner and operator.

What I thrive on most is problem-solving and transforming spaces into their best form and functionality. What sets me apart from other designers is the emphasis I place on quality, creativity, and timeless design for my clients. While staying informed about trends is important, I avoid designing solely around them because trendy styles can quickly become outdated, leaving clients with spaces that feel passé.

As a designer, I prioritize understanding my clients’ needs and respecting the spaces I work with.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My clients’ happiness builds my reputation in the industry. The spaces I design are highly visible, and a satisfied client leads to more clients. Word of mouth is the fastest and most reliable marketing strategy.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As I mentioned earlier, when life got tougher and I had to secure a 9-5 job, I didn’t give up on my own business. I continued pursuing projects and clients diligently. At one point, I was juggling two or three different projects at the same time—one being my day job and after work, I would return to my apartment to focus on my personal projects. I never envisioned myself being confined to an office for the entirety of my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.deleap.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deleap.l.l.c/