We recently had the chance to connect with Leslie VanDerven and have shared our conversation below.
Leslie, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I believe all three are salient, but I have really built my life and business around integrity. Integrity is so important to build long-term trust and credibility. The people with whom I work, live and play know my decisions and advice are based on clear principles, even when they are hard. It is critical to model this for my children and lead by example at work. Staying true to my values has helped me sustain wonderful relationships, and let go of people and things that no longer serve me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Leslie VanDerven and I am the owner and visionary of Welcome Home Organizing, Staging & Feng Shui. My journey began when my husband and I bought our first home in Telluride, CO in 2006. The art and philosophies of Feng Shui quickly evolved into a passion, and I became a certified practitioner in 2008. I started my business to help others address the physical and energetic challenges of their homes that were preventing them from achieving organization, ease of function, harmony, and balance. I believe the quality of our lives is reflected in our positive relationships and value of our experiences. That is why I am so passionate about creating spaces for people to feel their best so they can attain their highest level of achievement in life without feeling overwhelmed by their possessions. Clearing out clutter is relieving. Organizing is calming. Feng Shui will promote the flow of energy. With this, my goal is for your home to support your life in the best possible way.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I was supposed to choose a path and stick to it: Go to college near home, choose a major, then get a job in that field with good health insurance and a dental plan. Don’t take risks. Be calculated and cautious. Well, that just didn’t work for me. At 18, I moved 2000 miles away from home to start my grand adventure in Colorado and around the world. My life has been full of love, adventure, risk, success, failure, stability, and uncertainty! I know now that life is not supposed to look a certain way to be happy. Through it all, I have become the kind of person who knows how to realize success with intention, hard work, integrity and resilience. No path is a straight shot, and if you look at it that way, you’ll miss all the fun!
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
My childhood home was surrounded by woods. Day or night, whenever I felt sad, sitting in the quiet of the trees always made me feel better. I always felt connected to nature, and part of something much bigger and more important than my circumstances.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
My father used to tell my sister and me, “Do as I say, not as I do.” He was a very smart man who got it wrong. Leading and teaching by demonstrating is far more powerful than rhetoric.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
Wearing sunscreen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://welcomehomeorganizing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/welcomehomeorganizing/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-vanderven-918b8316b/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WelcomeHomeOrganizing
Image Credits
Living room, kitchen, and bedroom shots by Boxwood Photos, Fort Collins, CO. All others by Leslie VanDerven.
Cover shot by Maureen McCarthy.
