Conversations with the Inspiring Carleen Laronn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carleen Laronn.

Carleen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
While I had attended business school at CU Boulder, I always knew that at my core- I was a creative. After graduating from business school, there was no way you would find me sitting behind a desk crunching numbers.

And boy was that true… after graduating from CU, I spent a few years modeling and traveling the world. I was constantly immersed by the history, culture, architecture, and interiors of the many beautiful places I had lived and visited. These mesmerizing experiences ignited my true passion for design.

Once I returned back home to Denver, I jumped head first into my new career as a home stager. I spent a few years working for Denver’s premier home staging company, crafting unique design plans for hundreds of homes and fine tuning my design capabilities. It gave me the confidence to move forward and start my own business, The Model Home.

The Model Home is a boutique design studio, specializing in interior design for Airbnb properties and men. While I found designing Airbnb properties to be a natural segue from home staging, design for men is my true passion project. I believe a well-designed home is a necessity often overlooked by my male counterparts. While some men are intimidated by the time and effort it takes, others just feel that good design is a luxury they cannot afford. That’s where I come in. The Model Home’s mission is to deliver painless and efficient services while creating the perfect space for every budget.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have a new saying I’m in love with, it’s “no rain, no flowers.” As a small business owner, this is a saying I’ve gotten realllllly comfortable with. There are always challenges and obstacles to overcome (the rain) but once you do, it’s beautiful flowers on the other side!

One of the most notable challenges for me has been bringing in new business and networking. There is nothing more important when it comes to growing your business. I am a bit of a shy person, so networking has never been something I looked forward to.

Despite not wanting to branch out, I decided to start attending some events and groups that were relevant to my industry. Many of these events would have an open mic. I was terrified to get up there, even if it was just to give my short little elevator speech which I knew like the back of my hand. Despite how nervous and uncomfortable I was, there was no doubt in my mind that this was an integral way to start getting my name out there and meeting potential clients. I pushed myself to do it and now it gets a bit easier every time.

If you’re always in your comfort zone, it’s likely that you or your business could be missing out on some pretty big opportunities. You should always be feeling challenged if you want to grow!

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
For Airbnb properties, my goal is to enable my clients to maximize their revenue through great interior design. I understand every detail that goes into creating the perfect stay for Airbnb guests. From optimizing the functionality to finding the perfect art, furniture, and accessories, I have it down to a science. I design spaces that stand out against other listings on webpages but most importantly- I create beautiful, comfortable stays that guests will never forget!

For men, I am in the business of upgrading their quality of life. I often worry that this market segment probably struggles to identify the need for my services. But one thing is certain- after they do use the Model Home to design their space, they wonder how they could have ever lived the way they were living before! I understand each of my client’s individual needs, likes, and passions, enabling me to successfully craft spaces that are unique and perfect to them. Man cave or Man palace, the Model Home has your back!

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Be confident and believe in your abilities!

Starting a business can be terrifying, especially in the beginning. When things get tough, you need to get tougher! Stick with it, stick with yourself, and make it happen!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.themodel-home.com
• Phone: (303)960-2879
• Email: mhbycarleen@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhbycarleen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHbyCarleen/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/mhbycarleen/

Image Credit:
Personal photo/image of me is by John Miller (https://www.instagram.com/johnsmiller/)

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