Meet Stacey Boynton

We recently connected with Stacey Boynton and have shared our conversation below.

Stacey, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

Short answer, find whatever it is that you love and do it. I find that I love to make things using my hands and other senses. So, I started a business called STUDIO-US [LIVING] which is 1/3 of my vision for a design brand that encompasses Architecture, Home accessories and Cosmetics. My intentions for STUDIO-US [LIVING] were to allow myself to create small household items, at the moment candles, where whatever thought or feeling came to mind, I just make it.
It was a space I felt I needed in tandem with my “day job” that wasn’t driven by time or money. It’s simply a space to create whatever my heart desires and allow myself to build on it until it is ready to be presented to the world.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

So, I recently became a Licensed Architect! I have been on this journey for the past 20 (yes 20 twenty) years down to the month. I left home for college August 2004 and passed my last exam August 2024! During that time, I went through college, graduated during the great recession and couldn’t buy a job in South Florida. I was working at a coffee shop with a master’s degree in architecture and community design. That’s how bad it was. Then I finally broke into the profession after 2 years and gained my work experience to be able to sit for 6 exams. I started testing right after I had my first son 9 years ago. I had another son and said to myself I really need to get this done! Then earlier this year I got it done. All while still working as an Architectural Designer for various architectural firms.
In November 2022 I got burnt out from my then position and was probably experiencing postpartum after my second son. As a result, I ended leaving my job and taking 2 years off to do a “massive reset” on my life. During this time, I began working out every morning, changed my diet and really tried to put into perspective what I wanted to do next.
I always had the dream of owning my own Architectural Firm but never wanted to do it until I was officially a licensed architect. So now that I am licensed, I have officially opened my doors to STUDIO-US [DESIGN]. The architecture and design firm is another 1/3 of the brand vision. The other one I mentioned is my home accessory line STUDIO-US [LIVING] and now there is STUDIO-US [DESIGN]. The design firm is located in South Florida and has a mission to provide high quality and professionalism to the design services provided.

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

– Dress to Impress (always)
– Communicate
– Sometimes you have shut up and listen

The best advice I offer to folks is to really pay attention to those doing what you want to do. Observe how they conduct business and do things. Ask questions even if you think it’s something you can google or not a great question. Don’t be afraid to ask predecessors in your industry if you could pick their brain. I find that the more seasoned (baby boomers) professionals etc. like to be asked and talked to for advice.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

I think the most impactful thing my parents did for me was to just let me be. My parents honestly don’t understand the magnitude of what I do and for a while that bothered me. But they never tried to steer me in a direction that they felt would provide me with a “comfortable” life. They just left me be. They allowed me to travel far in my early 20s and listened to me vent about architecture school and work. When it came down to a time where I wanted to quit, they offered the best advice to not give up because I had come way too far for it. I must say the joy they showed when I became a licensed architect was expected almost because for a while I really didn’t think they knew what I did.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Kenyetta Stanley

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