We recently connected with Lindsey Petersen and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lindsey , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
I believe optimism is crucial for achieving success and confidence. The older I become, the more I realize how profound your outlook and attitude is on your life. How you choose to react to situations and view the world, impacts so much of your mental health, self worth, resilience, drive, relationships, and so much more! Being an optimist isn’t about being out of touch with reality, but rather recognizing and embracing the good in every situation. Having this outlook fuels my confidence, inspiration, curiosity, and hope. I also believe optimism to be a powerful form of human resilience. It helps us navigate challenges, make a meaningful impact, and improves everything we touch. Optimism is contagious—people are naturally drawn to those who can tackle difficulties, drive innovation, and foster positive change. It spreads joy and resilience, creating an open environment of kindness where everyone feels safe to dream their biggest dreams, and be their truest, most authentic selves.
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?
My previous roles were rooted in communication, marketing, nonprofit work and management. After feeling creatively unfulfilled, I decided to take a leap of faith and enter a grad program for Interior Design. I received my Masters degree from Heritage School of Design in Portland, Oregon where I became certified in residential and commercial design as well as home staging.
Directly after my schooling, I landed a dream job as an Interior Design for Airbnb working on their Plus Program. This was an incredible opportunity for me as it validated that when you bet on yourself and believe in what you’re capable of you can achieve your wildest dreams. Working with hosts worldwide, I gained invaluable insights into the guest experience, assisted with property enhancement, sourced high-quality amenities, and improved guest reviews and visibility on the platform. This experience underscored my passion for remote design while maintaining the personal connection that is central to my approach. This experience also illuminated how many people I could reach with remote design without sacrificing the human connection component of design that I love so much! Building relationships and helping clients spend more time enjoying their spaces has always been my north star. I have since went on to start my own remote Interior Design company, Lindsey Petersen Collections, where I specialize in elevating both personal homes and short-term rental properties.
Starting my own business was a significant leap of faith, but the rewards have been immense. I’m deeply touched by the trust and connections I build with each client, and it’s a privilege to bring their design visions to life. While I appreciate luxurious and opulent designs, I aimed for my personal brand to be more reachable. I wanted it to feel relatable and down-to-earth. I strive to make every client, regardless of their resources or budget, feel inspired and comfortable in their space without sacrificing quality.
Design goes beyond choosing attractive elements—it’s about crafting functional and impactful environments that enhance how people live and interact with their surroundings. The right colors, artwork, and textures can profoundly influence our mood, productivity, and overall well-being, and I’m passionate about creating spaces that reflect and elevate the lives of those who inhabit them.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
A few key elements have significantly shaped my journey: confidence, time management, and finding inspiration in everyday experiences.
In creative careers, it’s common to face undervaluation—whether it’s being dismissed as a hobbyist, expected to work for little compensation, or assumed that your work is just fun and easy. Enrolling in formal programs can bolster your confidence, as you’ll have the education and expertise to justify charging what you’re worth. Remember, if people could do what you do themselves, they would. You’re hired because you bring unique value to the table.
Confidence also plays a crucial role in decision-making.Trust your instincts and be bold in your approach. If a project direction feels right, or doesn’t, trust your gut—it might lead to some of your most unique and appreciated ideas. I’ve found that some of my biggest, most unique ideas are ones that clients enjoy the most. I would encourage the embrace of boldness! This doesn’t just mean bright colors, but choosing interesting textures, patterns etc. Clients are coming to you for new ideas and things they haven’t thought of before. It’s easy to scale back if it’s too much! If you don’t bet on yourself, why should anyone else?
Effective time management has been another cornerstone of my success. I start each day by listing the top five personal and top five professional goals to accomplish within the day. Setting small, digestible deadlines for yourself so each task doesn’t feel as monumental to tackle can have a profound impact on what you’re able to get done!
Inspiration can often be elusive in our technology-driven world. I find that stepping away from screens and immersing myself in nature, architecture, or quality time with loved ones helps me discover new elements to incorporate into my designs. Embrace these everyday moments to reignite your creativity and draw from the world around you. You might find the colors of nature ground your color palette, the essence of a loved one’s personality you want to capture in a bold piece of artwork, the curve of a road you’d like to incorporate in a doorway – inspiration is everywhere!
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?
I would love to collaborate with any like-minded individuals! I am currently seeking someone who is local to the Phoenix area that I can work closely with to install my designs on-site. My clients are also always looking for quality recommendations for muralists, painters, cleaners, and people willing to act as a property manager accepting packages, assembling furniture, putting up wallpaper etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lindseypetersencollections.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsey_petersen_collections/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-petersen-b48a9985/
Image Credits
Justina Patience Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
