Meet Mingfei Liu

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mingfei Liu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mingfei, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I’ve been obsessed with artistic creation ever since childhood, including mediums such as painting, photography, and pottery. So, I went to a design school for my master’s degree.

I began as an independent designer. As a dedicated professional in interior design, I help clients make their homes more beautiful. Throughout my career, friends often ask me for advice on how to harmonize their home decor, which has led me to understand the importance of seamless design solutions. With several years of experience, I realized I needed to learn some business knowledge, which serves to assist me in launching design projects which will benefit more people. Therefore, I am taking MBA-related courses in order to explore entrepreneurship.

My current career goal is to empower the middle class to achieve interior design freedom by bridging the gaps between real estate developers, interior designers, and home furnishing manufacturers, creating a more cohesive and integrated industry.

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?

I have always been an interior designer, but I noticed significant gaps within the industry. This realization sparked the idea of creating a bridge to address these gaps—this was the inception of my entrepreneurial journey.

After working as an independent designer in New York for several years, I embarked on a new path by enrolling in the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. There, I began to restart and incubate my project, SwiftDwell. With SwiftDwell, instead of buying a single piece of furniture, we have a template for different rooms and the customers can select different design templates depending on their house. The design fee is free, and customers can then purchase the furniture they like. Our platform also provides a convenient one-click purchase option, making it easy for clients to decorate their homes beautifully.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reflecting on my journey, I see three key qualities and skills that have been particularly impactful. Firstly, honesty has been fundamental in building trust with clients, partners, and my team, ensuring transparency and fostering strong, lasting relationships. Secondly, persistence and steady progress have allowed me to build a strong foundation and achieve sustainable growth without blindly expanding too quickly. Collaborating with partners has also continued this steady progress. Last but not least, regular self-reflection and the ability to correct course promptly have been crucial in addressing issues in customer service, design, and other areas, keeping me on track.

For those early in their journey, I advise surrounding yourself with mentors and peers, staying curious, keeping learning, and always being open to new experiences and ideas.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

My current entrepreneurial project, SwiftDwell, represents a significant shift for me and my team. We are transitioning from a traditional design studio to managing a comprehensive design and product platform. Although we have about 80% of the workload complete, we still require more time, manpower, and resources. Our immediate focus is resolving issues with the website framework, improving product update rates, and earning professional recognition from our clients. We can utilize AI for precise matching and coordination to overcome these challenges in order to create living spaces that bring joy to our clients. Our ultimate goal is to enhance client satisfaction and strengthen their trust in us through exceptional aesthetics and personalized service.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://swiftdwell.design/

Image Credits

Mingfei Liu’s Design Work