Meet Shima Toyserkani

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shima Toyserkani. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shima below.

Shima, 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.

I had a very non-linear path into the field of interior design. As a young kid, I immersed myself in various forms of artistic expression. I spent a decade of my life honing my skills as a violinist, finding solace and creativity in the intricate melodies and harmonies. When I wasn’t playing music, I was on the ice, where figure skating became another outlet for me to express myself physically and artistically for a period of 4 very passionate and devoted years.  Beyond music and skating, I found joy in painting and drawing in my free time since discovering this talent as a young child. Whether it was capturing the beauty of nature or experimenting with abstract forms, art became a vital part of how I interpreted and communicated my emotions and ideas. To this day,  figure skating, violin, and art holds a strong place in my heart. As a teenager and young adult, I enjoyed arranging and rearranging my bedroom, even at one point creating my own custom upholstered bench and drapery.

Despite these artistic passions, I initially pursued a career in public health and pharmaceuticals, driven by a desire to make a difference through improvement of the public’s health and wellbeing. However, as time passed, I found myself increasingly drawn back and desiring a job that allowed me to utilize my creative side.  After majoring in Public Health and spending a decade working in the pharmaceutical industry, I was lucky to realize one day that interior design was my true passion. This revelation came during a period of introspection in 2014, when I had the chance to focus on myself and consider what would truly fulfill me. During this period I was also experiencing the process of designing my own dining room, which made me realize my love for design. I decided to start my company, House of Shima LLC, while still working full-time in the scientific field. Transitioning into design was a natural progression that allowed me to merge my diverse interests and talents. It enabled me to leverage my project planning, organizational, and financial skills to solve design challenges while embracing my passion for visual communication and creativity. However, the timing was still not right.

Despite recognizing my passion for interior design, my circumstances prevented me from pursuing it full-time immediately. Then, in 2016 I got married and our family grew. During those years from 2018-2022, I was a stay-at-home mom and kept my design skills sharp by continuing to educate myself on design and even took on projects for clients when possible.

It wasn’t until 2022, when my daughter started pre-school, that I finally had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in interior design. That summer, I dedicated myself to learning interior design software for 2D and 3D renderings, and I also applied for full-time positions in the field. To my surprise I received two amazing job offers and accepted one of them.  Landing my first job as an Interior Design Manager for a local builder was a great step forward. Over the course of a year, I gained experience in construction and interior design of new builds.

However, my heart always remained with House of Shima LLC, my own design venture. With newfound confidence and experience, I made the decision to return to growing my company. Today, I am grateful for the journey that brought me here.  Sometimes in life, we have to wait patiently until the time is right to pursue our dreams full-time.

I’ve learned that each experience—whether managing clinical trial research, being a stay-at-home mom, or guiding new home owners through the build process—has contributed to my growth and prepared me for this fulfilling career in interior design. They remind me that finding one’s purpose isn’t always a straight path but a culmination of passions, skills, and moments of discovery that shape who we are and how we contribute to the world around us.  I am excited about the future of House of Shima, LLC and greatly enjoy creating beautiful, functional spaces that enrich the lives of my clients.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am excited to introduce House of Shima, LLC and share what makes our work so fulfilling and distinctive. Based in Bethesda, MD, we specialize in offering a comprehensive range of interior design services that result in meticulously crafted, personalized spaces for our clients. While we primarily serve the vibrant community of Montgomery County, MD, we are enthusiastic about taking on projects nationally through our innovative virtual design services.

Our virtual design service allows us to collaborate seamlessly with individuals and families across the country. Whether you’re in Los Angeles, New York, or anywhere in between, our virtual design service enables us to bring our expertise and passion directly to you, ensuring a personalized and professional experience regardless of location.

One of the key features of our design process is the use of 2D floor layout plans and realistic 3D renderings for each project. These renderings provide our clients with a clear visualization of each space, allowing them to see and refine every detail to their liking before finalizing the design. This ensures transparency and alignment between our vision and our clients’ expectations, resulting in spaces that are not only beautiful but also functional and well suited to their needs.

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, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge have been particularly impactful:

1. Adaptability and Resilience: Throughout my non-linear path—from public health to pharmaceuticals and eventually interior design—I learned the importance of adaptability. Being able to pivot, learn new skills, and embrace change was crucial in navigating different industries and roles. My advice for those early in their journey is to stay open-minded and flexible. Embrace opportunities to learn and grow, even if they take you outside your comfort zone. Seek out diverse experiences that challenge you to adapt and evolve.

2. Persistence and Patience: Transitioning into interior design required persistence and patience. Balancing my initial career with starting my own design business, and later returning to it full-time after years of balancing family responsibilities, taught me the value of patience and perseverance. My advice is to stay committed to your goals, even during setbacks or periods of uncertainty. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a successful career. Set realistic goals, celebrate small victories, and keep moving forward with determination.

3. Cross-Functional Skills Across Industries: Moving through diverse industries has highlighted the importance of cross-functional skills. Each role provided me with unique perspectives and skills that I could apply in unexpected ways. My advice is to embrace opportunities to gain experience in different industries or roles. Recognize the transferable skills you develop, such as project management, analytical thinking, and communication, which can enhance your versatility and effectiveness in any career path you choose.

For those early in their journey, I encourage you to embrace these qualities: be adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges, persist in pursuing your goals with patience, and seek opportunities to develop cross-functional skills across different industries. By doing so, you will build a robust foundation for success and fulfillment in your career.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I’ve learned to incorporate several strategies that help me regain balance and clarity. Here’s how I manage:

Yoga and Meditation: These two practices, usually done in combination, are central to my routine for maintaining physical and mental well-being. Engaging in these practices helps me release stress, stay physically fit, and achieve a mental reset. They enable me to approach challenges with a clearer mind and renewed focus, fostering resilience and enhancing productivity.

Taking Breaks and Letting Ideas Settle: When feeling overwhelmed and facing creative blocks or complex design challenges, I find it beneficial to take breaks. Stepping away from the project allows ideas to simmer in the background of my mind. Often, returning with a fresh perspective leads to innovative solutions and enhances the quality of my work. This approach applies not only to design but also to problem-solving in general—I believe in the power of letting thoughts and concepts evolve naturally over time.

Vacations as Creative Stimuli: When overwhelmed, I prioritize taking a staycation, travel locally or abroad to recharge and spark creativity. Exploring new environments, experiencing different cultures, and immersing myself in diverse landscapes inspire fresh ideas and perspectives. These breaks from routine provide invaluable opportunities to rejuvenate mentally and emotionally, enabling me to return to work with renewed enthusiasm and creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.houseofshima.com

Image Credits

All images photographed by House of Shima LLC