We had the good fortune of connecting with Atefeh Raouf and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Atefeh, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m originally from Iran, and I’m Persian! Back in Iran, I studied Software Engineering. Alongside my studies, I was deeply involved in the arts, I explored painting, music, calligraphy, interior design and event design.

After moving to the U.S., I continued my education in Computer Science at the University of Texas at Dallas. During my studies, I discovered a fast and effective way to support myself financially while studying full-time: starting a local business.

I never expected my business to grow so quickly! After graduating, I decided to keep it going as a weekend side job.

Balancing two careers is definitely challenging, but when you’re passionate about both, it’s absolutely possible. I always say: turn your hobby into your job, and you’ll never feel like you’re working, especially when it involves weddings, dancing, and music on the weekends!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Any business, especially one that combines with your art, doesn’t succeed overnight. My journey in art began with calligraphy when I was just 9 years old. Every year, alongside school, I attended numerous art classes, building a strong foundation in various creative disciplines.

When you start a local business with a deep artistic background, you begin to see how those years of experience show up in your work. For example, after 12 years of practicing calligraphy, I can now create beautifully guest lists name on mirrors and custom invitation cards. With 8 years of painting experience, I’ve developed a strong sense of color, which helps me design more harmonious floral palettes. These skills eliminate many of the creative challenges others might face.

Of course, every business has its own challenges, and managing it is never easy. I always say: Success can expire at any time, you have to work hard and try your best every single day.

No matter who the client is or how much they’re paying, I always give my full effort to complete each project with excellence. At the end of the day, it’s my work and my performance that people see. They may not know the story behind it, but they will see the results. That’s why, for me, it’s not just about the money, it’s about delivering the best possible outcome and honoring the responsibility I have to provide exceptional service to my clients.

Irisa Design is based in Dallas, TX, and we proudly serve clients throughout Texas and beyond! We specialize in event and wedding planning, design, rentals, calligraphy, and more, bringing creativity and elegance to every celebration.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Absolutely! First, I love taking visitors to local spots that show the real Texas vibe, like the Fort Worth Stockyards. It’s a great place to experience authentic cowboy culture, and of course, we can’t skip some classic Texan BBQ, there are so many great places to choose from!

For a fun night out, Cowboys Red River is a must. It has live music, dancing, and a true Texas honky-tonk atmosphere,it’s always a blast!

I also really enjoy showing people around Dallas Uptown, Highland Park Village, and Bishop Arts District, each has its own charm with great food, shopping, and art.

And for something more scenic, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a beautiful place to visit in any season, especially in spring, fall, and during Christmas when it’s all decorated!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say I’ve been influenced by both the people who doubted me and those who believed in me.
Many people told me, “You can’t do it,” or questioned how I could manage two careers, saying it was too risky. At times, those comments were discouraging, but they also fueled my determination. When someone says I can’t, I gain even more energy to prove them wrong. And now, they can see the results of my success.

Sometimes, it’s best to ignore the negativity. But other times, it’s important to show that just because someone else couldn’t do it, or was too afraid to try, doesn’t mean I can’t. Their limitations don’t define mine.

On the other hand, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have strong support from my parents, family, close friends, and even my clients. Their encouragement and positive energy have made a huge difference in my journey.

I also love reading and find a lot of inspiration in books. I’ve read many, and I still have a long list for this year. Two books that I can mention, which have helped me a lot, are “You’re Not Listening” by Kate Murphy and “How to Age” by Anne Karpf.

Website: https://www.irisadesign.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irisa_design

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irisadesigntx/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@irisadesign

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@irisa.design

Image Credits
Maggie & Hank Banaei
Shapour Rahmani
Amy Karp
Amir Fard
Ana Gallegos

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