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

Hi Kayli, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For the past year and half to two years I had been fighting the urge to break free of the matrix and start my own design business. A little over a year ago I quit my nice paying job at another design firm and was determined to start my own business! Then that same day I randomly got offered a job that would provide a steady income and a flexible schedule… I took that opportunity instead of starting my own firm. I then found myself piggy backing off of other designers solely so I wouldn’t have to do ALL of my own accounting. No matter how much I tried to run from it, I could never escape the inner nudge to go for it! I was already taking projects and running them on my own, just with the backing of another designer, so when she told me she was going to close her doors for personal reasons I took the leap of faith and finally did the dang thing this June! But of course, not without the support of my wonderful fiance reminding me that it is more important to do what I feel the Lord calling me to do than to do what might make more sense to the rest of the world. (I had panic applied for, interviewed for, and been offered a really nice job – all in denial, oops!)

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Being a VERY new business, most of my family isn’t even familiar with my business! I operate a little different from most design firms though, I focus on simplifying the design process for everyone involved: client, contractor, and trades. That said, I pride myself on my supporting construction documents! I put a lot of time and detail into the documents I create for my clients (whether the home/business owner or the contractor directly). I can quickly create 3D renderings to help you visualize the space and supporting documents that help with communication between all parties, especially with the trades, which in turn create less confusion and a faster timeline.
Along with that being a priority, I think the biggest thing that sets me apart from other design firms is that I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty or think outside the box in order to meet budget! Say you have a smaller budget but you really want to splurge on something super cool, like custom built exact replicas of the Kansas City Chiefs lockers for your man cave, we can find a way to repurpose things you already have, pull out some Ikea/Amazon hacks, and find budget (but still quality) options for other large expenses. (Sound specific? It definitely is!)
Or say you just spent most of your money on a giant trash hole of a house where EVERYTHING has to GO! I’ll help you clean it out and gut it, so we have a clean slate to work with. I am currently doing this with my fiancé, and while I might not give every client the same hands-on attention, I am definitely not afraid to jump in help when you have to DIY to make budget.
Like I said, my main focus is to simplify the process for clients and others involved. I do my best to take the stress out of what could otherwise be a huge stressor. I know from experience that solid communication and staying within budget are two of the best ways to do that, and so that is what I strive to provide to my clients. And when it’s all said and done, I have happy clients who feel more like good friends!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, that’s a loaded question! I love me some stuffed French toast from Seven Mile Cafe, so that would for sure be on my list. Dallas’s Design District is always a fun place to take friends and family if we have a free day. There they get to see into my world, window shop, and take home some unique finds from Scout and Lula B’s. If they like to dance, we’d definitely hit up Cowboys Red River (or “Red” if you’re a regular). Game Theory in Fort Worth is a MUST for a no fuss board game night ,complete with the best food and drinks! And as cheesy as it is, I LOVE taking people to the Sockyards. Their rodeo is very show-y which makes for a good introduction for those who have never been to one before and the shops are so fun to peruse through.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoot! There are so many people in my corner that all deserve a shoutout!! But to keep it short, Kate Duckworth formerly of Duckworth Interiors (Ennis, TX) definitely deserves a shoutout for always believing in me, giving me jobs, and pushing me out of the nest… TWICE!

Instagram: @dwellstudiodesigns

Image Credits
Emery Little Photography – my photo PhotoByJoy – photo of me and Aaron on the roof

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.