Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Glew.
Hi Danielle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My professional background started in Real Estate. Both my parents were brokers and owned a large firm in Northern California where I grew up. They are entrepreneurs in every sense of the word, and I was along for the ride as they grew their business. I worked summers at the front desk and was going to real estate and leadership seminars starting at 14. After graduating from USC and traveling, all I really knew is that I was meant to work for myself. Real Estate had endless potential, and it was comfortable and entrepreneurial, so it seemed like a natural progression. I started working with one of the Top Real Estate Teams in the South Bay, starting as their assistant, and ten years later, I left as CEO. It was the best paid education you could receive in running a small business, leading people and interestingly enough for me – the incredible exposure to so many properties and aesthetics. What I discovered in being involved in preparing over 500 homes for sale in my time there is that what I actually loved the most about what I was doing was taking a space and bringing out its full potential. Helping clients improve and beautify their home, and as a result, watching buyers fall in love with it because of the way it made them feel – made me light up! (bonus, clients made more money and they were so happy!) I could see the value in the emotional appeal of a home. I could also see how many people really struggle to create that for themselves; that I have a talent for a service with a high demand.
Important to my story – my Australian husband is a carpenter by trade, and we have had a residential building company for 12 years. His parents are also a husband and wife, builder/design team in Australia, so their influence on our life and business has been paramount. After ten years running a real estate company, I felt like I had hit a ceiling of achievement, and I was ready for a change. I decided it was time to return to my entrepreneurial roots and transfer the energy I was putting into someone else’s Company into our own.
I should also mention my mom is an artist and has a natural affinity for design. The home I grew up in was always curated and in line with the most recent home trends. My parents taught me that your home is your castle and worked tirelessly to improve upon the space we spend most of your time in. Your home is your showpiece that represents your lifestyle.
My philosophy with design is that you get this one life, this once chance, and this one today – and I want to enjoy every bit of it at its highest potential. I want my life to look and feel a certain way, and interior design allows you to be in control of that experience. It brings me a sense of calm to be in a space that brings me joy and makes every experience richer. I want to provide that for my clients. When they come home, I want them to feel calm, warm, happy, and also proud of the place they get to spend their days in.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I made the move to interior design with Glew Build full-time at the end of 2019. It was a very tough decision to leave a Company I had been so invested in for so long, and I was nervous to give up the stability and take such a big risk and change for our family. As I was just getting into my new groove, the world closed down in 2020. As for many small businesses, it was a complete shock and very uncertain time for our business and family. But as people spent so much time in their homes, the demand for home improvement exploded! So with all the challenges has come a silver lining of growth for us.
As you know, we’re big fans of Glew Build. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a husband and wife general contractor and interior design team. Our goal is to provide a customer service-driven experience, which is unusual in our industry. Ideally, we work together from design concept through execution, and that allows for a smooth, seamless and cost-effective solution for our clients. We are selective on the projects we take on to make sure we can provide the best experience and product and that we will have clients for life.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was outgoing and involved in school and was a competitive dancer. Most relevant to my story now is that I have always been an artist, with my interest and skills in drawing. It is a total foundation for my role now! I would never leave home without my sketchbook for a client meeting. I frequently sketch an idea on the spot with a client to best explain my vision, and I sketch renderings and cabinetry design to illustrate my ideas to my cabinet maker. It’s so satisfying to use this skill that was once just a creative hobby as part of my work. It’s a creative outlet that gives me so much joy.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: glewbuild.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glewbuild/
Image Credits:
Trish Olivera of The Boho House Lauren Pressey Photography
