Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Rubke.
Hi Michael, 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?
Growing up, I’ve always considered myself fortunate to be equally left- and right-brained. In fact, I’d say I’m a perfect balance of both: I’ve had a successful career as a CFO and finance & operations executive for over 27 years, while also achieving personal success as a 7-time adult masters national figure skating champion. In fact, I currently hold the record for the most adult championship singles titles in the 30-year history of the event. Beyond skating, I was raised under the strong influence of the arts, which has allowed me to blend my creative background with my technical and analytical expertise. And that’s how I ended up where I am today. Enter Michael Scott Home.
My mother has always been deeply creative force, both as an oil painter and decorator. Her artistic vision and design sensibilities certainly impacted on all of us, especially as her influence rubbed off on me and my siblings. It was through her that I developed an eye for design, which ultimately led to the creation of Michael Scott Home. I wanted to share DIY tips, home projects, and decorating ideas that have transformed my own living space, and eventually collaborate with others to help them reimagine their own. I’ve always felt my calling is to inspire others, and that’s the core mission of Michael Scott Home.
The foundation of Michael Scott Home was built on Instagram, and from there, I expanded to a newer website, www.michaelscotthome.com, and I’m currently in the process of launching a YouTube channel to offer both short- and long-form videos. Right now, my primary focus is on growing this venture organically, understanding that it may take a few years to truly take off. Whether it’s inspiring others by showcasing certain products or collaborating with clients to transform a space, my goal is to connect with people who have a passion for home design or are simply looking for creative ideas and practical tips for their own projects. And in this age of social media, the sky’s the limit when it comes to connecting with a vast audience and expanding your reach.
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?
Starting a new venture is oftentimes filled with bumps in the road and I think many would agree with me. Personally, I’ve had a long career as an officer at the helm of multiple companies, and I’m still active in that space. Balancing my full-time job with my passion for Michael Scott Home is definitely a delicate act. But, as the saying goes, you can always find time for what you’re truly passionate about. As I mentioned earlier, I’m also an adult masters national champion figure skater, and my passion for the sport requires me to be up at 4am most days to train, so again, you find the time for what you’re passionate about.
One of the biggest challenges I face right now is content creation and making sure what I share resonates with the audience on the other side of the screen. Showcasing yourself and your brand online is essential, and I’ll admit, I sometimes struggle with wondering if what I post is good enough or if it’s relatable to my intended audience. On top of that, what seems like a simple post can often take several hours to produce. For example, posting a reel on Instagram that requires editing and voiceovers can be incredibly time-consuming. And once it’s posted, you hope it catches attention and engages the audience you’ve worked so hard to reach. It can be discouraging when certain content doesn’t attract the attention you expect, but I remind myself that growth takes time. I’m focused on organic, steady growth, and as I always say, “slow and steady wins the race.” And with this venture, engagement and the growth of the brand is what opens so many different avenues from a business perspective.
In today’s world, having a strong online presence is crucial to the success of any business venture, especially when it comes to what I’m doing with Michael Scott Home. And with that comes the pressure to constantly produce content that resonates and garners attention. I often have to remind myself not to overthink it and to simply share what feels authentic. It’s easy to get caught up in the obsession with engagement metrics and where people on clicking on the website, but at the end of the day, I remind myself of why I started this journey: to have fun, showcase what I love, and build genuine connections with others who appreciate it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Outside of Michael Scott Home, I’ve worked as a finance & operations executive for over 27 years. I first started in boutique retail and then the past 18 years have been in the restaurant space. For the past 15 years, I’ve been both a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and a Chief Operating Officer (COO) for multiple and well-known brands primarily within Southern California. Aside from my work life, I’ve been part of the world of figure skating since 1992. I am currently a 7-time adult masters national champion (+ 2 silver and 3 bronze medals), and am currently the most decorated adult singles champion within the Adult National Championship segment of the sport.
With Michael Scott Home, I initially focused on social media to showcase projects around my home and inspire others with DIY tasks and home decor ideas. My goal is always to inspire those engaging with my content. Over the years, as affiliate marketing has rapidly grown, it has complemented my social media presence by allowing me to source products related to the content I provide, ultimately generating income. From there, my work has naturally expanded. For instance, the recent launch of www.michaelscotthome.com introduces a blog, which not only allows me to share my favorite products through affiliate programs, but also provides a platform for more in-depth stories on various topics. I believe the blog is especially powerful because it helps me share more detailed insights, which I hope will lead to collaborations and opportunities to work with others on transforming their spaces. Additionally, blogs and websites have proven to be invaluable tools, and even though my site is still on the newer side, I’m already seeing strong traffic via search engines, Instagram, and Facebook!
What sets me apart in this space is my willingness to take the road less traveled. I try not to follow trends just for the sake of popularity because I want to remain unique. With so many influencers in the home decor space, it’s easy to see homes that all start to look the same, as many are showcasing similar styles and products. What I aim to do is offer something different when I can. I feel my diverse creative influences give me the freedom to break away from the norm. I’ve also taken a deeper dive into affordable luxury, which I’m passionate about. For example, I recently transformed a room using several high-end pieces. I then sourced similar items online at much more affordable prices and shared those links as part of a blog post. People love finding great deals, especially when they can achieve a luxury look without the luxury price tag!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories are rooted in the time I was fortunate enough to live with my maternal grandparents, who were both incredible people. My family lived in a two-story home, with my grandparents occupying the second floor, which was essentially its own apartment, complete with a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. And for the better part of my childhood, the memories of the home filled for birthdays, holidays, and other family gatherings were some of the best memories. And with my grandparents there, not only did I have a second set of parents, but the house certainly came to life in those years given the closeness of the family. As a child, it was a great time in my life, and certainly one of those periods where all you needed to worry about was school and enjoying your weekends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michaelscotthome.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/michaelscotthome
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Scott-Home/100088397265206/#
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelScottHome
Image Credits
Michael Rubke
