Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenelle Allen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jenelle, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Resilience is something I’ve built through countless large and small moments in my life. I’ve never been the best at anything, whether it was academics, sports, or even my early career as a commercial interior designer. I had to work hard just to be average. That constant effort taught me an important lesson: when you face hardship or a challenge, you pick yourself back up. You don’t give up. You keep fighting for the life you want to create.
I wouldn’t describe myself as a naturally confident person. In fact, I’ve often struggled with imposter syndrome. But I’ve learned to persevere anyway. Every time I take on something my inner monologue tells me I’m not talented or experienced enough to handle, I push through the discomfort and follow through. Each time I do this, I prove to myself that I can. Slowly but surely, this process builds confidence. Just by showing up every day, by continuing to move forward, I see the cracks of self-assurance breaking through. I won’t give up; I can’t give up. It’s simply not who I am.
One of the most defining moments of my resilience came during a major shift in my life. I took an unexpected career pause from commercial interior design to stay home with our firstborn. At the time, I loved my job and the company I worked for. But when our daughter began having seizures at five months old, my husband and I had to make a difficult decision. Her health and safety were our only priority, so I left my career to care for her. It was not the plan I had envisioned for myself. I had planned to be a working mom, balancing both career and family. Instead, I stepped away from the professional world for five years.
During those years, our lives revolved around caring for our daughter. When she was five, she underwent a life-changing surgery that stopped her daily seizures. It was a blessing we’ll never take for granted. Around the same time, an old colleague reached out with an opportunity to collaborate on a custom home project. Even though our personal lives were still chaotic, I couldn’t pass it up. I was craving creativity and wanted to reignite the part of me that had been dormant for so long. I had always imagined that if I returned to design, it would be in residential work rather than commercial. The opportunity scared me, and I felt unqualified. But I said yes. That decision became a huge learning experience and gave me back something I had been missing.
I was fortunate to have the chance to pause my career, but it required sacrifices. Those sacrifices were worth it. As I stepped back into the design world, I wanted to work on my own terms. I also wanted to show my kids that you can have it all—not necessarily all at the same time, but you can achieve anything you set your mind and passion to. In the past three years since that first residential project, I’ve grown so much. I started my own independent studio, Jenelle Allen Interior Design (JAID), which I recently transitioned from to start a new endeavor with my husband. Together, we launched Level Design Studio, a residential architecture and interior design firm.
Even now, I’m still early in the process. I have worries, doubts, and fears of failure. But I refuse to give up. Inevitably, things go wrong. They always do. But I’ve learned that what truly matters is how you react and respond in those moments. Every misstep is a chance to learn and do better than the day before. Resilience, for me, is about showing up, learning, and moving forward, no matter how hard the path may seem.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m Jenelle Allen, a residential interior designer and co-founder of Level Design Studio. I run this architecture and interior design studio with my husband. Our studio is based in Wisconsin and focuses on creating thoughtful, bespoke designs that reflect our clients’ unique needs and personal styles. After years of working in larger commercial architecture firms and running my own residential interior design studio, I’ve honed a flexible, client-centered approach to design that integrates aesthetics and functionality.
What excites me most about what I do is the deeply personal nature of residential design. A home is so much more than just a structure—it’s where life happens. Each project is an opportunity to craft a space that resonates with the client’s identity and lifestyle. Whether it’s helping a family design their dream kitchen or collaborating on a large-scale custom home, I’m passionate about creating spaces that feel both timeless and uniquely theirs. I especially love working with materials, textures, and neutral palettes to bring a sense of harmony and warmth to every project.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our studio’s work is the collaborative process. I love working closely with clients and my husband, who is the architect in our business, to bring ideas to life, guiding them through every decision, from the first sketch to the final finishing touch. It’s exciting to watch a vision evolve and to know that I’ve helped turn someone’s dream into reality.
Starting Level Design Studio was a leap of faith. While we are just four months into this journey, I can’t wait to see where it takes us next. Our philosophy is rooted in resilience and adaptability—two qualities I’ve cultivated throughout my career and personal life. Every challenge we face, whether in design or business, is a chance to learn and grow.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey and looking forward, the three qualities that have been most impactful are resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to collaboration. Each of these traits has played a pivotal role in shaping my path and helping me navigate challenges, both personal and professional.
Resilience: Resilience has been a cornerstone of my personal life and career. It’s about picking yourself up after every setback and continuing to push forward despite self-doubt or external challenges. For me, resilience was cultivated through years of facing struggles head-on—from managing imposter syndrome to navigating major life changes, like pausing my career to care for my daughter and figuring out how to reenter an ever-changing workforce. My advice to those early in their journey is to embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Each stumble is a stepping stone to growth. Remember, resilience isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about how you rise after the fall.
Adaptability: The ability to adapt has been equally critical. Transitioning from commercial to residential design, stepping away from the workforce to focus on family, and later returning to create Jenelle Allen Interior Design (JAID), followed by co-founding Level Design Studio, required me to embrace change and learn new skills. I’ve found that adaptability thrives when you stay open to new possibilities and challenges. My advice is to remain curious and willing to step outside your comfort zone, even when it’s intimidating. The skills you gain in one context often translate to another.
Collaboration: Collaboration is at the heart of what I do. Whether working with clients, my husband, trade partners, or other professionals, the process of co-creating designs has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. It has taught me the importance of active listening, clear communication, and balancing different perspectives. For those starting out, I’d recommend practicing empathy and honing your ability to listen deeply. Great ideas often emerge when diverse voices come together with mutual respect.
In summary, resilience, adaptability, and collaboration are qualities I’ve leaned on time and again. Developing these skills takes practice, but they’re invaluable for navigating the twists and turns of any journey. My advice is to approach each experience—whether a success or a setback—as an opportunity to grow. When you do, you’ll find yourself better equipped to achieve your goals and make a meaningful impact.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
The person who has been most instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and develop the skills, qualities, and knowledge I needed to succeed is undoubtedly my husband and business partner, Leigh. From the very beginning, he has believed in me, even during moments when I doubted myself. His unwavering support and encouragement have been a constant source of strength throughout my career, particularly when I created JAID and now with Level Design Studio.
Not only is he my biggest cheerleader, but he has provided guidance and support along my journey, particularly when it comes to navigating the complexities of running a business. His entrepreneurial mindset and strategic thinking complement my creative approach, and together we’ve built something truly special with Level Design Studio.
I’m incredibly grateful for his belief in me. When things get tough—as they inevitably will—having someone in your corner to provide an outside perspective and help you see the bigger picture can make all the difference. This person just happens to be my husband and business partner, but I encourage everyone to have someone in their life who can fulfill this role. Sometimes you just need a sounding board—someone who understands your business and industry and with whom you can talk things through.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leveldesign.studio/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leveldesign.studio/
Image Credits
All renderings were completed by me. All photographs please credit April Zelenka of Made by Parade.
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