New Year, New Business!

Welcome to AND Design!  A company I have been dreaming and manifesting about since I started college and decided to study Interior Design. 

A little about me (Alyssa):  I have always been an artist, and when it came time to choose a career, I really wanted to use my artistic talents to make a difference in everyday life.  After researching, Interior Design really spoke to me and the wheels in my brain started spinning.  I loved the idea and the challenge of combining my own design style with the client's, and creating beautiful yet functional spaces.  We spend a lot of time inside, and looking at the outside of buildings- why not make it a space where you feel the most inspired?  

Right away when I started studying Interior Design, I knew that my end goal was to start my own company.  My vision was to be an entrepreneur, so that one day when I had a family I could also be a stay at home mom.  That was something that was really important to me, so I knew I had to work hard to achieve that goal.

I got my degree at Western Michigan University and worked at a few design companies that ranged from tile and furniture shops, to assisting other Interior Designers.  It seemed like every time I tried another job within my field, I would just end up with the same feeling: I just want to start my own business.  I started researching when I moved back to my hometown Traverse City Michigan in 2015.  I realized that starting a company was something I was totally capable of doing, but I wanted just a little more experience on the business end.  I got a job at Ella's downtown Traverse City.   It was the job I learned the most from.  They taught me the value of selling quality and ethically sourced products, and I am forever grateful for how much I learned.  I was able to experience what it takes to succeed as a small business in Traverse City, Michigan.

Then the best and most shocking news came in the beginning of 2017, I was expecting a baby!  This was not at all in mine or my boyfriend's plan for 2017 (but does anything go as planned in my life?...no).  You just have to roll with what life hands you, and I was excited for this new adventure. 

So wait... my plan is still to be a business owner when I have kids.  Well... better get to work!  I felt so much more confident than I did in previous years, especially since my mother (Diane) told me she wanted to be my business partner.  YES!  Now I'm even more excited.  I always knew it would be easier with a partner but never had a clear idea of who I would be able to share this experience with.  My mom is a smart business woman, and she has a design style that is similar yet we bring different ideas to the table.  What a perfect team, let's get down to business.

So here we are launching AND Design (Alyssa and Diane, get it?).  I'm writing our first blog post as my 4 month year old daughter is lying next to me, and this is exactly where I want to be.  I sometimes think I must be crazy though:  I just had a baby and I'm starting my own business in a small town in northern Michigan.  It's not easy and I know it will get even more challenging, but I've never felt so alive.  I couldn't do it without my boyfriend Jimmy.  He is such a hard worker and only wants to see me succeed, and I am forever grateful for him coming into my life.  He loves home projects just as much as I do (and eventually I'll convince him to partner up with us too, just wait and see). 

Our daughter only changed my life for the better, and she was a huge push for me to work harder on my goals as a designer.  This business has been created from the hearts of my family and me, and I am so excited to continue to grow in Traverse City.  

My mom and I will be alternating and sharing a blog post once a week.  The posts will range from Interior Design tips, trends in all design worlds, and personal stories that we feel will inspire you.  Can't wait to share :)

Cheers to 2018!

-Alyssa