Meet Melissa McClellan | Interior Designer & Realtor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa McClellan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Gosh! What a wild decision it is to start your own business (says any business owner) my decision came after living through covid, having a stroke, losing my dad to cancer, and THEN losing my corporate job to a layoff. I really had to sit in a space of discomfort and think what is really the purpose of work? What am I trying to get out of the work I do and what am I trying to put out into the universe? Ultimately I landed on going back to my roots and helping people enjoy their lives in their homes – I really believe our homes are our nests and not everyone knows how to get out what is in their brains and make their vision a reality in their homes.

What should our readers know about your business?
What makes my business different is I can be almost a one-stop shop for someone. When you are working with something as intimate as your home I think trust is critical – so when you can work with the same person in different phases of your journey – someone you know you can trust and that gets you and your style it just makes things easy. I have my Real Estate License so I can help someone find a dream home and help them see what a home could be not what it is today (I can also sell the old home) I can then come in and create a design for spaces in the home that don’t work sometimes that is a small project like a simple refresh of paint, changing out a fireplace surround and a furniture refresh and sometimes it’s working with a contractor to gut a space. I also offer organizing services because nothing makes a space more beautiful than when it functions properly! Organizing can feel so overwhelming to people and sometimes it isn’t even that we need to dive into redesigning a space we just need to organize it in a way that makes sense. One of the best times to go on an organizing journey is the week you move into a new space – let an organizer like me come and help you set up systems and purge – it will change your life! Then comes one of my favorites which is holiday styling. Again, I believe you should be obsessed with your home constantly. I want you to walk in and be wowed! What better time to wow yourself with your home than your favorite holiday, I am working currently on a full house Halloween decor because Halloween is this family’s jam! That is what brings them joy and in turn, it brings me joy to see them so excited about their home in that season. Would I say any of this was easy – NOPE. Starting a business takes a lot of courage and determination. Even from how in the heck do you form an LLC where do you go to do that? How do you build a website? What is the best platform? How do you market? Where are the clients? Did I ask where are the clients? You have to wake up every day and be willing to dig in and try again, something new, or repeat something you think really could work. You also have to be patient. I think that is my greatest lesson, Once I found patience and let go of being nervous I started to see some movement in my business which fuels more success!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati is Sotto. It is good EVERY time. I would also have us stay a night at the Hilton Neverland Plaza, enjoy a drink at the bar and I would check out the restaurant downstairs – I heard they have redone it but have not checked it out yet! We would definitely hit up a 60 minute hot yoga class on Tuesday or Thursday with Ashley at Body Alive Mason. For lunch I would hit up Fond it is this amazing little Deli that you might skip if you just drove by but that would be a mistake – amazing sandwiches that you will think about for days. I would also take them to a cozy dinner at The Park Pour – I almost don’t want to say this but what they charge is criminal – they could charge WAY more for the food they deliver there. It’s another place you might just drive by but a seat at the bar or one of the cozy tables is such a good night with a friend. We would spend a spa day at Woodhouse Spa at Liberty it is the best treat to be able to drink some champagne and chat between your luxurious services. Of course we would go plant shopping because everyone needs a new plant Moss & Ivy in Mason always has some new and different plants. And of course we would spend some time at my house just relaxing on the section with some wine and a great netflix show in the background that we might not pay attention to because we are too busy chatting.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without question, my husband is my first shoutout. When I think I am an absolute lunatic for doing what I am doing he tells me I am brilliant, when I think I am failing he helps me see that I am making progress, when I think I might not be good enough he tells me I am the best. I couldn’t take all the leaps I take without his support, Beyond that I have 3 amazing friends who have seen me through – my friend Chelsea who is a genius and patiently taught me and handheld through me building my own website which is so out of my comfort zone. She is the girl you want in your corner if you are going to embark on doing hard things (and we can do hard things). My friend Amber who is a realtor in NC and was a cheerleader and continues to be a cheerleader in my obtaining my real estate license and finding creative ways to use my skillset to serve clients on both sides those looking for their nest and those who just want to love the nest they have, And my friend Jenn who keeps me so grounded and makes sure that I am always taking care of me and my work life balance.

Website: www.emmejamesstudio.com

Instagram: @emme_homes

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/melissamaxwellmcclellan

Facebook: @emmejamesstudio

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/emme-james-studio-mason?osq=emme+james+studio

Image Credits
Louise Erdeljohn Renae D’Andrea