Daily Inspiration: Meet Michelle Ruben

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Ruben

Hi Michelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am an interior designer and I started working in the business 20 years ago. When I was in my early 20’s I used to move my friends bedroom furniture around. We’d go shopping at target and I’d help them get their bedding. I couldn’t understand why they would put their furniture the way they did. It just bugged me and I would have to fix it. I also used to push around the furniture in the living room at my friends parents houses. I just couldn’t handle how it felt to look at it the way it was. Then I bought my first house in 1999′ and I completely renovated it. My neighbor came over and saw what I did and asked me to help him with his house. The next thing I knew I was doing 3 or 4 projects at a time. That’s the gist of how I got to where I am.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I was just about to say it has not been a smooth road. Some of the things I am really good at today are because of the painful mistakes I have made along the way. My first painful and expensive lesson was on paint colors. the first interior of a house I painted ended up looking like the color of a bandaid. It was awful. I chose the color off a tiny swatch. I now put up large swatches of the colors I’m thinking of using all over the house so I can see how they look in different rooms and different lighting at different times in the day.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an interior designer. I specialize in new construction, remodels and renovations. I love doing it all. My favorite is furnishing a home. I get so happy when the construction is complete and the house is all cleaned up and ready to install the furniture. Install days are very exciting to me. I love seeing it all come together. I especially love the end of the install when the crew has left and I get to walk around the house and take it all in. There’s a feeling of overwhelming joy I experience taking in a job well done. It really is a labor of love and there are many stages and a lot goes into it. So when it all comes together and I get to take it in, I feel very nourished by the work. I’m not sure what I’m most proud of. I think that I’m just grateful that I get to do something that I love to do and it never gets old. I don’t know what sets me apart from others to be honest. I know that I really care about what I do and I want to do the best possible job I can. I’ve become a good listener and I love creating environments that uplift others.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I would recommend finding a designer that inspires you and that you love their aesthetic and inquire about working for them. I am a big believer in putting it out there and asking for help. Everyone has fear. Don’t let that stop you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://MICHELLERUBEN.COM
• Instagram: @BLONDRUBEN