Emily: We met when I was born (Laughs) We're sisters, and our parents lived (and still live) in the suburbs of Washington DC, which is where we both lived until going off to our respective undergrads.

Lee: It was definitely hectic, but it was a good way to get a generalist training on business and corporations themselves. The fact that you are put into a pretty regimented training program with other people who are your age and have also just graduated, is a good way to get started in your career and have access to the initial tools needed to succeed.

Emily: I think it was a great first job out of undergraduate. Although the travel was a bit insane (I was flying out every Monday morning and coming back to NYC every Thursday night), the job gave me a crash course in analytical skills as well as process improvement, problem solving, and of course Excel! I was given a lot of responsibility at a young age, due to the fact that we were given client work straight out of the gate. The “fake it until you make it” environment of being given a lot of responsibility from the get-go is something that has translated well into the startup world.

Lee: The idea for Havenly was born out of a personal need. I had just moved into a home with my husband in the city of Denver from New York City, and needed way more furniture than I had, considering I was moving from a one bedroom apartment to a three bedroom house. I was working full time and super busy, and needed some help and validation on how to decorate the space, but nothing was available within my price range. 

Emily: When I moved into my first “big girl” apartment in NYC, I similarly needed help putting all the pieces together, and definitely needed help visualizing how all the furniture pieces would look altogether. I would often reach out to Lee with links of furniture that I was looking at, to try to get some validation and help in designing my space. It made no sense that no service like this didn’t exist, especially at a price point that I could afford!

Lee: As joint cofounders, the responsibilities are spread out, which makes the day to day much easier and makes building the team way more feasible, rather than something that feels so daunting.

Emily: Additionally, we are able to specialize and run separate departments–as well as take advantage of what each of us are naturally good at and have expertise in from our previous jobs.

Lee: It’s been great to see how so many people (including designers) want to work with us and help us build our brand! We started this company with just a handful of people, and it’s always humbling to see that people are wanting to get on the Havenly team and be a part of the design revolution that we are starting.

Emily: I think seeing the success over the past few months has been surprising! It’s amazing to see the growth of our company, as well as to hear the glowing reviews from our clients, who are really responding to what we are doing and the services that we are providing. Of course, when starting anything, regardless of what it is, the ambiguity and the future when there is no real certainty is daunting - but pushing forward means surrounding yourself with amazing people who support you and work with you towards the eventual goal, and that’s the best way to get through it.

Lee: There really is no typical day. As CEO, I focus on making our investors as well as team happy. In addition to that, I make sure that all the employees are on the same page and that we are aligned in our vision and tasks on a day to day basis.

Emily: I think it might be surprising to hear that Lee and I pitch in on customer service emails. At the rate we are growing, we are an “all hands on deck” company, so all of us pitch in no matter the task. Additionally, it’s a great and organic way for us to keep our finger on the pulse of what our customers are saying.

Lee: I do love Pinterest. There’s nothing like curated images that are easy to browse but both enlightens and inspires. It really helps to get your juices flowing and takes you out of a creative slump!

Emily: For me, it’s getting out of the office and just going outside to enjoy the outdoors. Taking a walk to clear my head and take in the air, especially during the fall months, is a surefire way to make room for inspiration to strike.

Lee: The ability to execute is key for running your own business - regardless of how small or big it is. The best companies are the ones that are able to execute a vision while making strategic decisions that help the long term growth of the firm.

Emily: Persistence and perseverance are mental qualities that one requires - you will hear a lot of “no’s” and a lot of “this can’t be done” and a lot of “what are you thinking?!?” when you first start your company. You need to be so obsessed with your vision and what you’re doing that you’re able to brush off what all of the naysayers say in order to keep doing what you’re doing!

Emily: Save up! You’re going to spend WAY more than you think you will when starting a company (budgets have a sneaky way of being blown when unexpected things crop up), so make sure you have a personal runway in case something does happen in your first year of business. You may not have the cash flow that you originally anticipated.

Lee: I make sure to spend time with my husband, and really commit to that time - which means we aren’t on our phones or on technology, just to make sure we are on the same page and really get to connect with each other.

Emily: Take some time to turn off your computer/phone/work email, even if it’s for 5-10 minutes a day. Make sure to take care of yourself - eat well, work out, treat yourself to manicures and pedicures to make yourself feel beautiful. This is a marathon - not a sprint. You’re going to need your body and YOU in the best shape possible in order to build your company for the long term.

Lee: I love to cook, so of course waking up to make fresh pancakes from scratch or waffles is a great way to kick off the day. I’d also love to be able to take my mind off of work for a day, but that’s definitely not possible nowadays. Going on a hike with my husband and then finishing that off with a glass (or two!) of white wine and some pasta al fresco sounds like a great way to finish up the day.

Emily: I love food, but I'm not so great at cooking, so going somewhere for brunch that makes delicious eggs benedict would definitely be my number one priority! Getting to curl up with a good book in an oversized egg chair, maybe next to a fire if it’s cold out, for a few hours is also a high point. Finally, having some friends over for an evening filled with food, wine, and laughter—no better way to spend a day off.

Lee: I look forward to the unexpectedness of my job! I never know what’s in store for the day, regardless of what my calendar says. I’m looking forward to seeing and growing Havenly as much as we can - everyone deserves to have access to affordable interior design services, and that’s what we’re aiming to do!

Emily: I wake up so excited to work with our team. We are so fortunate to have an amazing team, not only at our headquarters but across the country (in regards to the designers who are on our platform). I love looking at clients finished homes - it’s always so amazing to see the fruits of our labor. There’s nothing that makes me smile more than a thrilled client.