We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rana Abu-Elniaj a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it didn’t start that way.

I actually started out painting just for fun, and eventually began taking on commissions. It was something I genuinely loved, but realistically, it wasn’t enough to sustain me financially on its own at the time.

I graduated right as COVID hit, and the job market was extremely limited. But at the same time, that period shifted how people viewed their homes. Everyone was spending more time inside, and a lot of people realized their spaces weren’t working for them. That’s when I started noticing a rise in renovations and a real demand for design.

I already had the creativity and the educational background, what I needed was an opportunity. So I created one. I started my business, Ranavations, initially working with other designers to provide 3D renderings and construction documents. That gave me hands-on experience, helped me build relationships, and sharpened both my technical and creative skills.

Over time, that grew into getting my own clients. It wasn’t overnight. It was a gradual build of trust, consistency, and learning how to navigate both the creative and business sides of what I do.

I was also very intentional about my transition. I made sure I had savings and a steady flow of income before leaving my job. In 2022, I took that step fully, and I haven’t looked back since.

If I could have done anything differently, I think I would have trusted my value sooner and stepped into the business side with more confidence earlier on. But at the same time, those early stages taught me a lot, not just about design, but about resilience, boundaries, and how to build something sustainable. I commend anyone who knows how to make a living off of their ideas.

Rana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m Rana and I’m an interior and spatial designer and artist, and the founder of Ranavations.

Creativity has always been a part of my life. I grew up in a family where it was just naturally embedded in who we are. My mom was actually the first female architect in Nazareth, and when she moved to the U.S., she continued her path in a different way as a teacher. She always encouraged creativity at home, we were constantly doing arts and crafts, building things, and expressing ourselves.

I also have to give credit to my brother. He used to draw all the time, and growing up, I just wanted to do everything he did. That’s really how I got into drawing and painting in the first place and it’s when I realized I had a natural talent for it. From there, it became something I genuinely loved. I started out painting just for fun and eventually began taking on commissions. That was my first experience turning creativity into something tangible for others. While I loved it, I knew I wanted to expand beyond the canvas.

That foundation naturally evolved into my professional work. Today, I blend that artistic upbringing with design expertise to create spaces that are intentional, functional, and emotionally resonant. Through my business, I help clients envision spaces in ways that feel personal and authentic to them, while also ensuring practicality and buildability.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just design or create; I approach every project with the mindset of an artist, paying attention to how things feel, how they interact, and how they tell a story. I’m proud that I’ve been able to turn this lifelong passion into work that not only fulfills me but also enhances the lives of others. Anyone can make something look good, but I care about how it functions, how it flows, and how it supports the people living in it. I approach design the same way I approach art which is with intention, balance, and emotion.

At the core, I want people to know that my work is about intentionality, heart, and the belief that creativity isn’t just a skill, it’s a way of approaching life and the spaces we inhabit. Today, I help bring spaces to life through visualization, design development, and creative direction. My work allows clients to fully see and understand their space before anything is built, which helps eliminate uncertainty, reduce costly mistakes, and create a smoother overall process.

I’m most proud of the fact that I built this path for myself. From painting and taking small commissions to running my own business and sustaining myself fully through my work, it’s been a process of trusting my vision, staying consistent, and growing through every phase.

What I want people to know about me and my brand is that everything I create is intentional. I’m not here to just follow trends. I care about creating work that has depth, that feels aligned, and that genuinely improves how people experience their spaces. At the end of the day, creativity isn’t just what I do, it’s something I was raised in, and it’s something that continues to guide everything I build.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Honestly, my biggest source of new clients has always been my network. I truly believe your network is your net worth. Over the years, I’ve built personal relationships with people in the music industry and beyond, and many of them have trusted me with their spaces. Most of my clients come through word of mouth, it’s never been about posting online or advertising heavily.

Even today, a lot of people don’t really know exactly what I do or who I’ve worked with. It’s one of those “if you know, you know” situations. That said, I’m starting to put myself out there more and share my work, but my foundation has always been in building trust and relationships. There’s something about that personal connection that just can’t be replaced.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that over-delivering equals success. Early on, I thought if I worked longer hours, said yes to every request, or went above and beyond for clients, it would automatically lead to growth and more opportunities. I was afraid of setting boundaries or charging my worth because I didn’t want to lose a client or seem “difficult.”

The backstory comes from when I first started taking commissions and then working with other designers through Ranavations. I was so focused on proving myself that I didn’t realize how much energy I was giving away for little return. Over time, I saw that clients respect confidence and clarity more than extra effort that isn’t valued.

Unlearning this lesson taught me that setting boundaries, being intentional about my time, and trusting the value of my work is what actually builds trust and sustainable growth. It wasn’t easy to shift that mindset, but once I did, everything became clearer. I could focus on projects I truly cared about, charge appropriately, and deliver work that reflected my full creative vision without burning out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ranavations.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranavations

Image Credits

Photography by Daniela Andujo Guerra