We recently connected with Hina Shahid and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Hina, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
My confidence has been built over time, shaped by both my professional path and my personal approach to growth. With 20 years of experience in design—spanning interior design, user experience, and research for Fortune 500 companies as well as small businesses—I’ve learned that confidence isn’t a single milestone. It’s a mindset that develops through practice, resilience, and self-awareness.
Design education was foundational. It taught me how to think critically, embrace feedback, and stay curious. It shaped a lot of how I see the world—professionally and personally. Good design, after all, is about standing out while serving a purpose. That balance taught me a lot about owning my voice while staying grounded in service to others.
I actively seek out adventure. I like to challenge myself, set goals that stretch my limits, and prove to myself—again and again—that I can evolve. Whether it’s learning something new, taking on a complex project, or stepping into the unknown, those experiences build trust in myself.
And I’ve also learned the value of rest. Taking intentional breaks gives me space to reflect, dream, and imagine the next challenge ahead. Confidence, for me, is a cycle of pushing boundaries, achieving, pausing, and then pushing again—with purpose.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I specialize in eclectic, modern spaces layered with international flair.
At my interior design studio—Personal Space Studio, we believe that every space should tell a story. We strive to create spaces that are a true reflection of your needs and narratives. What sets us apart is our dedication to understanding who our clients truly are—their lifestyles, stages of life, and distinctive personalities. Ensuring the intended function and purpose of the space is infused with the personality, experiences and lifestyle of its inhabitants. In other words, your space should have your own personal touch. Each detail, designed with intent. Every object, carefully curated.
We are based in Seattle and work nationwide.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
For me, the three most impactful traits have been a growth mindset, resilience, and curiosity.
Growth mindset helped me stay open to learning—whether through formal design education or through everyday work with clients and teams. In design, feedback is constant, and things rarely go as planned. Having a mindset that sees challenges as opportunities rather than roadblocks was key. For those early in their journey, I’d say: get comfortable not having all the answers. Stay open, ask questions, and treat every project or experience as a chance to grow—not just to prove yourself.
Resilience came from years of navigating complex projects, demanding clients, and changing industries. Working with everyone from Fortune 500s to small businesses taught me how to adapt and keep going even when things were tough or uncertain. My advice? Build a strong inner compass. Know your “why,” and let that guide you when external circumstances shift. Mistakes and setbacks are inevitable—what matters is how you respond.
And then there’s curiosity—probably my favorite one. Curiosity keeps my work fresh and keeps me energized. It’s what drives me to seek out new challenges, explore new disciplines, and never stay too comfortable for too long. If you’re just starting out, feed your curiosity relentlessly. Try new tools, explore unfamiliar spaces, talk to people outside your industry. It’ll expand your thinking and open unexpected doors.
Ultimately, these three qualities form the foundation of not just a meaningful career—but a meaningful life.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone with a strong personal vision—someone who knows what they feel, even if they don’t yet know exactly how that translates into design. Who are not afraid of following others or the said trends.
Just as important, they’re a good listener. The best collaborations happen when there’s mutual trust: when the client communicates their mood, story, or intention clearly, and then allows me to interpret and refine that through design.
I see each project as a narrative opportunity.
When a client can articulate the atmosphere they want to create—the feeling they want people to have when they enter a space—that becomes the foundation for truly meaningful design. The most impactful work emerges when the process is a dialogue, not just a directive.
Ultimately, I’m drawn to clients who want their space to be more than functional—who want it to be a reflection of their personality, and a clear point of view.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.personalspacestudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/personalspace_studio/
Image Credits
@personalspacestudio
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