Check Out Jenny Kahen’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Kahen.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The Story of RSD Interiors
My journey into interior design actually began with a choice to step away. After having my three daughters, I left the workforce to focus on raising them. However, that creative spark never truly dimmed. As my youngest turned six, I knew it was time to reclaim that passion. I went back to school to relearn the evolving landscape of design, driven by a desire to show my girls that their mother could build something meaningful from the ground up.

The name RSD Interiors is a tribute to that motivation—it stands for my three daughters: Rachel, Sarah, and Daniella.

The business started modestly, fueled by referrals from friends and family. What began as a hobby quickly grew into a professional practice. I took on everything from simple finishing touches to managing full ground-up construction and permits for over ten homes.

A major turning point for the company occurred two years ago when my middle daughter, Sarah, joined the team. Having her by my side has brought our company to a new level. Together, Sarah and I currently manage five different projects, including three new construction builds. Sarah has also taken over our Instagram and established herself as a lead designer on our team.

Operating as an all-woman team—with two additional members working remote—is a point of pride for us. It shows how you can transition from a sense of uncertainty after raising a family to building a thriving, professional business inspired by the very people who motivate you most.

Alright, 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?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road, but the challenges are exactly what made the success of RSD Interiors so rewarding.

Before I launched my own firm, I spent time working part-time for high-end interior designers. This was a crucial period of “relearning” the industry, but it was also incredibly difficult. I was raising my three girls while trying to get back into the professional world. My biggest priority was still being there for my children—making sure I was the one picking them up from after-school activities and being present for their daily lives.

There were moments during those years where the pressure was intense. Balancing motherhood with the demands of high-end design is a specialized kind of stress, but it was a struggle I chose. I wanted to set a clear example for my daughters: that their mother could be both a present parent and a dedicated professional. I wanted them to see that hard work and passion aren’t mutually exclusive.

None of it was easy, but it was definitely worth it. That drive to inspire my children was my biggest motivator—it’s the core reason I named the company RSD Interiors after Rachel, Sarah, and Daniella. Today, having Sarah by my side feels like the ultimate payoff for those years of hard work. We aren’t just building homes; we’re continuing a story that started with those three girls.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At RSD Interiors, we specialize in ground-up construction. This means we are most effective when a client brings us on the moment they purchase a property. I don’t just pick out furniture; I collaborate directly with the architect to refine the floor plans before a single brick is laid.

I am known for my “micro-detail” approach. I help clients visualize their home before it even exists—specifying exact window heights, door scales, and the precise placement of plumbing fixtures. By getting into these “very, very small details” early, we ensure the foundation of the home is functional and perfect, saving the client from costly changes later in the process.

What truly sets us apart is our unmatched transparency. I am one of the few interior designers who does not mark up product costs. Every discount I receive from vendors is passed directly to my clients at cost. I know how expensive building a home can be, and I take pride in being a transparent advocate for my clients’ budgets.

We are a truly comprehensive firm, but we are also adaptable to our clients’ specific needs. We offer full-service design and project management, where we are on-site nearly every day. In these roles, we coordinate directly with contractors, manage permit expediting, and oversee every technical detail to ensure the build stays true to the vision.

However, we also take on many projects that focus exclusively on finishes and decorating. Our goal is to meet the client at whatever stage they are in. Whether they hire us at the very beginning of a ground-up build or come to us toward the end just to curate the furniture, art, and final touches, we provide the same level of dedication.

I treat every home as if it were my own and every client like family. Being there for our clients at any stage—from the first blueprint to the last throw pillow—is what makes our service so personal and effective.

While high-end residential design and ground-up construction are our primary focus, we also bring our expertise to the commercial sector. We have a unique specialty in designing dental offices, having completed over seven to date. These projects are a wonderful creative outlet for us; because medical spaces require such precision, our clients often give us the freedom to let our imaginations flow. It allows us to transform a clinical environment into something truly beautiful and inviting, applying the same luxury residential feel to a professional setting.

Beyond the structures we build, I am most proud of the relationships we have with our clients. The trust they place in us—and the fact that we can deliver a high-end, honest, and meticulous experience—is the true heartbeat of RSD Interiors.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I don’t view risk as a reckless leap; I view it as the courage to bet on your own potential. To me, the greatest risk isn’t starting a business—it’s the risk of looking back and wondering “what if.” My approach to risk is calculated. I believe in doing the “homework” first—going back to school, relearning the industry, and working for others—so that when you finally do take the leap, you are landing on a foundation of knowledge.

The biggest risk I ever took was deciding to open RSD Interiors after being out of the workforce to raise my three girls. At that time, I felt a sense of hopelessness and uncertainty about where to start. Choosing to invest in my own education and build a brand from nothing—while still being a present mother—was a massive personal and financial risk. I didn’t want to work for anyone else; I wanted to build a legacy that my daughters could be proud of and, eventually, be a part of.

In the interior design industry, my “at-cost” pricing model is also a business risk. Most designers rely heavily on product markups for their profit. By choosing to pass all my discounts directly to the client, I am taking a risk on a different business model. However, I’ve found that this risk builds a level of trust and loyalty that is far more valuable in the long run than a quick markup.

Today, seeing that risk pay off—having an all-woman team and managing five major projects alongside my daughter Sarah—proves that the biggest risks often lead to the most meaningful rewards. We took a risk on a family business, and it has brought us to a level of success I once only dreamed of.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.rsdinteriordesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rsdinteriors/
• Other: rsdinteriordesign@gmail.com

Image Credits
No image credits applicable. The person featured in the photo is my daughter, and she is the face of our company. After many years of handling our social media, I have decided to step back and let her take over that aspect of the business. I just wanted to make it clear that it is her in the image.