Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Wilson.
Hi Robin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I became an entrepreneur 23 years ago when the corporation I worked for had an IPO, which gave me a windfall to chase a dream. My goal was to start a design and project management firm – and after some success, we began to build a brand – through licensing, writing books, speaking engagements, and media appearances. My niche is the allergen-aware lifestyle – given my allergic childhood – and the fateful moment that my parents took me to a holistic (nee ‘hippee’) pediatrician who asked the fateful question, “Would you like to raise a strong child or a child on strong medicine?” – that changed the path of my life.
My parents decided to choose the first option, and with the pediatrician’s guidance, I began to have an active lifestyle – biking, walking, tennis, swimming, dietary changes, and efforts to minimize allergic triggers in the home. Over time, the wheezing and sneezing became more manageable, and simple things like using a down alternative pillow, having hard surface floors instead of carpet, and knowing which vegetables and fruits had a matching pollen profile created a safer home for me as a ‘pan-allergic’ person.
Now…back to the story of my adult life!
When I left my corporate job with that IPO windfall, I went to NYU and received a Master’s degree (Real Estate Finance) – and decided to help developers with their projects. I began to craft a protocol on job sites that we now call the ‘clean design’ protocol. This means that the fumes from paint and solvents are vented to the outside, dust is cleaned daily, and materials in walls and furnishings are non-toxic to minimize the chemical load when someone moves back into their renovated space.
About seven years into my business, we began to be recognized as an expert with buzzwords floating around like sustainability, eco-friendly, and ‘green’ – and working on projects for high-profile clients and media appearances cemented awareness of my expertise. A few years later, we entered product licensing and had products at retail.
By 2020, we rebranded the licensed brand to CLEAN DESIGN HOME, and now our products are sold at Macy’s, BELK, Wayfair, and through all the military branches.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Entrepreneurship is often the road less traveled, and the word that is always in the back of one’s mind is ‘resilience’ because if you love what you do, then you will get up every day, even if you pay others and sacrifice paying yourself to reach your goals.
There are innumerable challenges, but the most important thing is being consistent and focused on your dream.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Clean Design Home?
Our lifestyle brand, CLEAN DESIGN HOME has a line of products from bedding, baths, candles, cleaners, and mattresses. Our line is sold at Macy’s, BELK, Wayfair, and every branch of the military.
We have created a niche that we call allergen-aware – in other words, we believe that this is more honest as one person might be allergic to something, and the next person is fine. We believe that people need to know as much as possible so that they can make an informed choice.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We hope that people will amplify our healthy lifestyle tips and will also visit a retail store, or shop online to purchase products.
Given that 60 million people suffer from asthma and allergies (that is 1 in 5 people!). We believe that we are a solution to a problem that affects many people – and with both education and products, we can be helpful to consumers at an affordable pricing for quality, luxury goods – many of which are made in America.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cleandesignhome.com
- Instagram: cleandesignhome
- Facebook: cleandesignhome
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleandesignhome/
- Other: https://www.macys.com/shop/featured/clean-design-home
Image Credits
Credit: CLEAN DESIGN HOME
