EP 429 | From Beer to Design: Making a Bold Career Pivot into Interior Design with Alexis Vitale
May 20, 2025
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Leaving a stable corporate career to start an interior design business takes more than talent—it takes courage, clarity, and a willingness to risk comfort for fulfillment. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with Alexis Vitale, who made the bold leap from the corporate craft beer world into running her own interior design studio.
Alexis shares what her corporate background gave her—structure, sales skills, and business acumen—and what it couldn’tprovide: creative fulfillment and ownership of her future. This conversation explores what really matters when making a major career transition, how to manage fear without letting it lead, and why relationships play a critical role in building a successful design business.
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late—or too risky—to make a change, this episode offers both perspective and encouragement from someone who’s done it.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
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Why taking a calculated risk is less dangerous than staying stuck in fear
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Why being “just okay” isn’t enough when you’re capable of more
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How relationship-building fuels opportunity and long-term success
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Why consistent networking matters more than perfect timing
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What helped make the transition from corporate life to design ownership successful
DESIGN INTERVENTION
Have a board; people you value from different parts of your life. Use them to gain new insights and use it when it’s needed. People you can trust, people you respect, but all offer different opinions and support you value.
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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used for any legal decisions. Kimberley Seldon Design Group, Kimberley Seldon Productions Inc., Kimberley Seldon Design and Media, Inc., Business of Design™, or any of its affiliated companies or staff is not responsible for any errors or omissions effecting accuracy in any content, and they will not be held liable for the use or misuse of information, facts, details or any other aspects should there arise any defects, errors, omissions or perhaps inaccuracies. Extensive research has been conducted to put this podcast together for the purpose of educating our industry in order to better serve the public. Care has been taken to acknowledge ownership of copyrighted material. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is offered with the understanding that we do not render any legal, accounting or other professional advice. Seek the advice of a lawyer and/or other competent professional person in all matters of law. Further, listeners should be aware that internet websites mentioned may change or disappear between when this was recorded and when it was listened to.