Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Lovato.
Hi Ariana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a business owner, and I had an appreciation for a well-designed space. I loved Architecture, but I wanted to be a part of creating that feeling when you walk through a beautiful interior. I moved to DT LA and attended FIDM (Fashion Inst. of Design and Merchandising) for Interior Design. After working in showrooms in Beverly Hills and Pasadena, I learned so much about design, sales, and personal connections. Once I graduated, I moved back to our hometown and worked for a few design firms and construction companies as their designer. In 2016, I decided to start my own business with $400 in my account after moonlighting during my other full-time job.
Coming from a traditional Persian family, starting my own business was frowned upon, and it was encouraged that I should pursue a more “stable” career like engineering, law, etc. It was this doubt that I used as motivation and what has created the burning desire to keep going in tough times.
Owning a business is not for the faint of heart, and I’ve learned so so much in the past eight years. I had a 300 SF office for four years, and many months, I was winging it to stay open. After much perseverance, dedication, and “trust” in the process, we grew and grew.
In 2021, we opened a 2000 SF showroom and expanded our staff to 10. We are working on our biggest projects to date, expanding to hospitality and commercial projects, and are so excited for the future.
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?
Most of our struggles came from growing pains. We grew so quickly and needed to learn things the hard way, very quickly. Managing clients and the staff has been one of the most challenging things of my career, but every day, I am learning.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Honeycomb Home Design?
Honeycomb Home Design is a full-service design firm located on the Central Coast of CA. We specialize in new construction, whole home remodels and have started branching in hospitality and commercial design with a few boutique bar project, commercial offices, and recently a country club.
We’re known for creating a timeless look with a modern edge. We have a variety of projects under our belt, from a Modern Spanish custom home to a Mid-Century Modern home. We pride ourselves on creating timeless looks for our clients and not necessarily following the trends.
We launched our own cabinetry line in 2023 called Honey Cabinetry, which allows us to bring the Honeycomb aesthetic to anyone looking for a boutique custom cabinetry line. We’ve completed at least 80 kitchens with our cabinets and just finished two beautiful installs in San Francisco.
Our services include residential and commercial design, furnishing services, and virtual design services. Our cabinetry line can be viewed on our website (www.honeycabinetry.com). Recently, we’ve completed virtual design services over the US and really enjoyed it!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Make sure to surround yourself with your “tribe”. People who will support you, give you hard advice when you don’t want to hear it, and lift you up when you’re feeling down.
Pay attention to your financials! It seems so obvious, but you need to make sure you understand how to read a PNL, run reports, and analyze numbers as much as you design. What you pay attention to will grow.
Running a business is not for everyone, and that is totally OK. Learn and be upfront about what your strengths and weaknesses are.
Having a tough skin is crucial to success in business. This comes over time, and just know that the “failures” are opportunities for growth. It’s hard to see it at the moment, but it is the truth.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.honeycombhomedesign.com
- Instagram: @honeycomb_homedesign
Image Credits
Lisa Maksoudian Photography
