Edith Ponciano shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Edith, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is the most important to me, both personally and professionally. As the founder of EP Atelier and the creator of *Mastering Hospitality Interior Design (MHID)*, integrity is the foundation of everything I do. In the interior design world, and especially in hospitality, it’s not just about having great ideas or boundless energy. It’s about standing behind your work, being honest with clients, and delivering on promises with consistency and care.
Intelligence and energy can open doors, but integrity is what keeps them open. It’s what builds trust with your clients, your team, and your audience. In my course and mentorship program, I emphasize this value because I truly believe that long-term success in the hospitality interior design industry comes from being someone people can rely on, not just for beautiful spaces, but for real partnership.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Edith, founder and principal of EP Atelier, a boutique interior design firm specializing in hospitality spaces within sports venues like stadiums and arenas. From VIP lounges and luxury suites to private clubs and social spaces, we design the spaces between the action where fans celebrate, connect, and make memories that rival the game itself.
What makes this work exciting for me is the opportunity to blend bold, impactful design with high-energy experiences. These spaces aren’t just backdrops to an event. They’re part of the memory, the emotion, and the brand story. At EP Atelier, we focus on creating spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but that elevate the entire guest experience.
After years of working in this niche, I launched Mastering Hospitality Interior Design (MHID), a course and mentorship program created to support designers who want to break into the hospitality space with clarity and confidence. MHID is where I share the strategies, tools, and real-world lessons that helped me build a thriving design business doing work I love.
Right now I’m focused on growing the MHID community, mentoring emerging designers, and continuing to redefine what hospitality design looks like in the world of sports and entertainment.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I’ve built with my work. From the beginning, design has been more than a career. It has been a mirror. It has shown me how I handle challenge, how I lead, and how I show up for others and for myself. Through every project, every mistake, every win, I’ve learned who I am and who I’m becoming.
Of course, I’ve been influenced by incredible people along the way — family, mentors, clients — but it’s been the evolving relationship with my own creative process and professional growth that has taught me the most. It’s made me more resilient, more grounded, and more intentional. That’s a big part of what I now help other designers tap into through my MHID course and mentorship. It’s not just about designing spaces. It’s about building a deeper relationship with your own potential.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You don’t have to have it all figured out to be on the right path. Keep going, keep learning, and trust that your passion, values, and curiosity will lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. The pressure to be perfect or get it right will fade, but the strength you’re building by showing up, even when it’s hard, will stay with you forever.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
When I think about someone I admire for their character rather than their power, Taylor Swift comes to mind. Her success is undeniable, but what stands out to me most is how she carries herself behind that success. Her resilience, self-awareness, and ability to stay grounded while navigating intense public pressure speak volumes about her character.
She continues to reinvent herself while staying true to her values, using her platform to take ownership of her story and uplift others. What inspires me most is her work ethic, her attention to detail, and her willingness to grow publicly, even when it is uncomfortable. As a creative and a business owner, I find that incredibly powerful. It is a reminder that real success is not about status or recognition. It is about staying grounded in who you are, building something meaningful, and doing it with purpose.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am fully immersed in the work that lights me up. When I am creating with intention, leading with purpose, and everything feels aligned. Whether I am designing a space, mentoring a fellow creative, or building the next phase of MHID, there is a calm that comes from knowing I am exactly where I am meant to be.
That kind of peace comes from clarity and connection. It is not about everything being perfect but about knowing the work I am doing matters. It is in those focused, grounded moments that I feel most centered, and from that place, I can give more, lead better, and continue building something meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://epatelier.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ep_atelier_design
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ep-atelier
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@epatelierdesign
- Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/epatelierdesign
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
