Meet Janel Swanson

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Janel Swanson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Janel, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Many people struggle to identify their purpose in life, and for me, it has been a lifelong journey. I believed my purpose would emerge through a college degree, but after earning a business degree and landing a corporate job, I felt unfulfilled and yearning for more. Determined to find a more meaningful path, I returned to school to pursue teaching. After teaching elementary school for a few years, I felt that I had finally found my calling. I loved teaching, but the birth of my second child shifted my priorities. I decided to pause my career and focus on raising my children.
Years later, after my youngest started kindergarten, I felt ready to re-enter the workforce. However, returning to teaching posed challenges, as the field had evolved significantly with new technologies and methodologies that made returning a daunting prospect. Around this time, my family and I embarked on a kitchen remodeling project in our new home. To my surprise, I fell in love with the design process—the planning, the creativity, and the transformation. It sparked a passion I hadn’t known existed. Still, leaving teaching for a different career felt like a betrayal of my earlier purpose. How could I justify trading the noble task of educating children for kitchen and bath design? I agonized over the decision for a while, feeling that if I become a designer and leave teaching, I was deserting my calling in life. Ultimately, I decided to take the leap, and went back to school for the third time to pursue Kitchen and Bath Design. Nearly a decade later, I can confidently say that I found my true purpose. Helping people transform their homes into spaces they truly love brings me immense joy and fulfillment. It turns out, my purpose wasn’t confined to one role or career. Instead, it evolved with me, and I’m grateful for the journey that led me here.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

As a Kitchen and Bath Designer, I thrive on transforming outdated spaces into something both functional and beautiful. Designing a kitchen is like solving a puzzle—each cabinet, fixture, and feature fits together in harmony. It’s the perfect blend of math and art, engaging both sides of my brain and sparking my creativity. Kitchen design and cabinet sales naturally evolved into the broader world of construction. Many of my clients didn’t just want cabinetry and designs, but rather a seamless process from concept to completion, including installation, plumbing, electrical work, and countertops. Recognizing this need, I took the next logical step and obtained my general contractor’s license. With it, I could offer my clients a comprehensive, start-to-finish remodeling experience. My journey began in my own home, where I used my personal kitchen as a showroom for clients to experience cabinetry firsthand. That small beginning grew into a small showroom in Hudson, WI, followed by a larger space in White Bear Lake, MN. Today, I’ve found my “forever home” for Wildwood Kitchens and Baths in Lake Elmo, MN—a boutique showroom that reflects my vision and values.
At Wildwood Kitchens and Baths, we pride ourselves on offering a curated, one-stop shopping experience. Our showroom features locally sourced cabinetry, countertops, and tile, along with flooring, hardware, plumbing fixtures, and lighting. Our thoughtfully designed displays allow clients to see and feel the quality of the products before they commit. Our team of talented designers collaborates with homeowners, fellow designers, and builders to bring projects to life. Whether you’re selecting finishes, planning a complete remodel, or simply seeking inspiration, we’re here to help you visualize and achieve your dream space with confidence.
Looking ahead, we’re planning a 2,000-square-foot expansion to showcase even more vignettes and product offerings. We aim to inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and make the remodeling process as joyful as the finished results.
At Wildwood Kitchens and Baths, transforming homes isn’t just our business—it’s our passion. Seeing the joy in our clients as they fall in love with their new spaces is the reason we do what we do.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back on the start of my career, one of the key lessons I’ve learned is the importance of hiring help sooner rather than trying to do it all myself. Delegating tasks and building a reliable team not only freed up my time but also allowed me to focus on scaling and growing my business effectively.

Another invaluable piece of advice I’d offer is to prioritize continuous education and stay ahead of industry trends. Seek out mentors who can guide you, and don’t underestimate the power of networking. Connecting with others in your field—both online and in person—can open doors to opportunities, provide support, and inspire new ideas.

Lastly, join professional groups that foster a strong sense of community. Whether it’s a local association or a virtual forum, these groups can become an incredible source of knowledge, encouragement, and camaraderie as you navigate the ups and downs of building your career.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

While our primary focus is helping residential homeowners bring their visions to life, we believe our expertise extends far beyond that. With a talented team of designers and a showroom featuring thoughtfully curated products, we offer a range of services that can greatly benefit industry professionals like builders and designers.

For builders, we’re happy to assist with design selections, detailed CAD drawings, and product procurement, including cabinetry. For fellow designers, we offer collaboration opportunities that include access to our showroom, discounted product offerings, and even general contracting services to streamline their projects.

We’re eager to collaborate with others in the industry, sharing our knowledge, talents, and resources to help support their businesses and create even more exceptional projects together. Additionally, as we plan for the expansion of our showroom, we look forward to partnering with brands to showcase a wider range of quality products, elevating the design experience for everyone we serve.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Boo Creative
Arrikka Theis

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