Meet Mico Design Studio

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Victoria – Agustina Cufré – Fernández. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Victoria – Agustina below.

Hi Victoria – Agustina , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

We are both naturally optimistic and resilient. We believe this is because we were born and raised in Argentina, a country that, while marked by continuous economic crises, has a very strong culture of sharing with family and friends. Argentines, even those of us who live in other countries, build and cultivate our social networks on a daily basis. It helps us stay positive and face adverse situations with the assurance that we will be accompanied by our loved ones throughout the process. This is particularly important to us, as we built our company from scratch directly in the United States and adapting to a new country and the conditions that define its market was undoubtedly a challenge. We met in the halls of our building eight years ago, and ever since, there hasn’t been a week that’s gone by where we haven’t gotten together for a meal with our husbands. Therefore, we could say that our resilience is based on the friendship and collaboration that characterizes the Argentine identity.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Mico Design Studio was born in Miami in 2017, shortly after we met. With one of us being an architect and the other an interior designer, the company was a natural fit. We started by taking on small projects, and today, thanks to the immense opportunities that this country provides, our perseverance, and the confidence that we would stand out in this industry, we provide interior design and execution services for clients in the hospitality, residential, corporate, and commercial sectors. We have been in charge of the renovation of the iconic News Cafe and the first Miami location of the Madrid-based brand San Gines. In addition, we developed the spaces for Paperfish, O’ldays, Skinny Louie, Cafe Americano, Salty Flame, Casa Vigil, and Piegari, among other outstanding restaurants. Last December, we completed the offices of the Argentine Football Association in Miami, and we are currently working with the Bentley and Casa Orchidea hotels.

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?

The following advice is specifically geared towards those starting an interior design business, as the challenges may differ from other sectors.

Self-confidence is undeniably a driving force. Even today, when things inevitably go awry (there will always be factors beyond our control), we practice optimism and maintain a constructive spirit. We tell each other, “We can find a solution. No obstacle is permanent.” This confidence extends to our team. We rely on their skills and inputs, understanding that adversities are best tackled collectively.

Another crucial skill for entrepreneurs is a proactive and audacious attitude. Especially at the beginning, with a limited portfolio, actively seeking clients is essential. Don’t wait for opportunities to come knocking – go out there with the confidence and enthusiasm of someone who knows they have something valuable to offer. Each successful project and satisfied client becomes a powerful calling card, opening new doors. Embrace calculated risks and dive into challenging projects that push you outside your comfort zone. These will allow you to grow as a professional and expand your capabilities.

Innovation is key. While meeting client expectations is paramount, the role of a designer goes far beyond checking boxes. We possess a vision and knowledge that allow us to identify opportunities that the client might not have noticed. Don’t be afraid to propose unconventional solutions that elevate interiors.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

As first-time mothers in the United States, far from our families in Argentina, we found strength and support in each other, especially during our maternity leave periods, which allowed us to balance work and personal life with peace of mind. We are not just partners; we are true friends, and it gives us great joy to see our children growing up as friends as well. Professionally, our careers complement each other perfectly. The synergy between our disciplines—interior design and architecture—allows us to create unique and functional spaces that exceed our clients’ expectations.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made