Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Schaffel.
Hi Michelle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Creativity has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I loved art, dance, music, and anything beautiful. I didn’t know then that I would eventually build a business around that love, but looking back, the connection feels natural.
I majored in communications in college and began my career in television and news, working as a booker, producer, assignment editor, and news writer. It was exciting and fast-paced, but also demanding. While working an overnight shift from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m., I was involved in a car accident that became a turning point. I knew I needed to make a change.
Public relations felt like a natural next step. Having received hundreds of story pitches while working in news, I understood what made a story compelling and how to communicate it. I enjoyed the work and was good at it, but after several years, I began to feel burned out by the television and PR world.
Throughout those years, one interest remained constant: creating a home that looked and felt good. Originally from New Jersey, I lived in New York City and Denver before settling in the Philadelphia area. With every move, decorating my living space was a priority. Wherever I was, I wanted my surroundings to feel comfortable, beautiful, and like me. People often told me I had an eye for design, and eventually, I began to take that encouragement seriously.
After leaving my last PR position, I decided it was time to explore a different path. I enrolled in an intensive course taught by a local designer that covered redesigning spaces, home staging, and starting a business. It felt like the right fit, even though I had no idea how much running a business would entail. I had always enjoyed teaching and held leadership roles over the years, so I decided to trust my abilities and give it a chance.
That decision led to Inspired By Design, LLC. This December, I will celebrate 16 years in business.
Building a business on my own has been an ongoing education. I’ve learned through experience, problem-solving, and working with people whose tastes, needs, and budgets vary widely. Those differences keep the work interesting and challenge me to grow.
Mentoring has also become a meaningful part of my business. I have regularly welcomed college interns, giving them hands-on experience and the opportunity to earn college credit. As a solo business owner, I’ve appreciated their contributions, and I’ve enjoyed helping them discover and develop their strengths. I’m currently working with my 18th intern, and each experience teaches me something, too.
Recently, I completed my largest project to date: a 7,000-square-foot home. Working alongside an architect, I was responsible for sourcing the furniture and decorating the entire home. It was my most challenging and rewarding project yet, and seeing it come together reinforced how much I love this work.
Today, I feel more confident than ever in my ability to help clients create beautiful spaces within a wide range of budgets. I love getting to know different people, understanding how they live, and finding solutions that feel right for them. My career path has taken several turns, but each chapter has contributed to the communicator, problem-solver, and decorator I am today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. I started with creativity and a love of decorating, but learning how to run a business was a challenge of its own. As a solo owner, I handle everything from marketing and client communication to budgets and project coordination. Another challenge is always getting new clients.
Working with different personalities, expectations, and budgets has taught me to listen carefully, adapt, and trust my judgment. My recent 7,000-square-foot project was my most challenging yet, but also my most rewarding. Each challenge has helped me grow, and nearly 16 years later, I feel more confident in my abilities than ever.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Through Inspired By Design, I help clients create spaces that look beautiful, feel comfortable, and reflect who they are. I work across a wide range of decorating styles, although I describe my own style as “cozy contemporary.” I especially enjoy bedrooms and family rooms—the spaces where people relax and spend time together—and children’s rooms that bring their favorite colors, interests, and personalities to life.
My approach is personal and creative. I love incorporating meaningful belongings and unexpected touches that make a room feel unique to the people who live there. I never want a space to feel cookie-cutter.
What I’m most proud of is the care I bring to every project, no matter how small. I’m open-minded, listen closely, and put my heart into understanding what each client wants. I stay immersed in the industry, especially through social media, where I continually discover ideas, products, and inspiration.
I also bring a down-to-earth, flexible approach to decorating. Whether we’re shopping together or working through decisions, I want the experience to feel comfortable and fun. My versatility, clear communication, and willingness to go the extra mile help me work with different styles and budgets while making sure clients feel heard throughout the process.
Any big plans?
I hope to continue doing this work for many years, with no end date in sight. Looking ahead, I’m excited to take on more large-scale projects. My experience has given me the confidence to embrace that next stage of growth while continuing to bring personal attention and creativity to every project.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.inspiredbydesign.info
- Instagram: @inspiredbydesignllc
- Facebook: @inspiredbydesignllc
- Other: Tiktok: @inspiredbydesignphilly
