We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Vichesky. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.
Hi David, 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?
Two years ago, I learned the difference between my “purpose” and my “experience”…the hard way. With an extensive resume, rich with a variety of retail leadership roles, I found myself at a crossroads as I searched for my next role: continue driving positive financial results for brands or make a change to another industry. Over the few years prior, I had a growing interest in moving on to something more fulfilling, a job that made a difference in the lives of others; but I had no idea what that was going to be or where to start. After a particularly intense period of discontent with the projects I was working on, I decided to get more serious about my job search. One day while scrolling endless open roles, I remembered something I used to do at one of the stores I managed, a tactic I used to manage the employees and keep them engaged on the salesfloor. To meet the operational demands of the business and the expectations of our customers, I started asked the staff, “What types of tasks do you really enjoy doing? What tasks do you think you’re really good at?” I found that employees were more productive and engaging with customers when they had a purpose they were bought in on and helped decide. At the intersection of what we’re good at and what we enjoy is purpose.
These two simple questions were where I started. I realized I was good at creating calming and inspiring spaces around a particular aesthetic; I loved interior design and helping people curate the things they surround themselves with. Then I had an idea: what if I could create my own opportunity by launching a brand that was based on curating simple things to live a beautiful life in a calm space. I started building The Commonwealth, from philosophy to online store to marketing. As my business grows, I’m reminded each day of my purpose and the importance of finding it.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As the founder of The Commonwealth, I’m excited by and grateful for our continued growth. We’ve gotten such a great response from people looking to simplify and infuse natural texture in their living spaces, and who love our brand’s point of view. The Commonwealth is a home and lifestyle company that thinks simple can be chic. With rich textures, nature-inspired materials and a neutral color palette, our products emphasize “slow living” and wabi sabi aesthetic. In addition to our core assortment, we have limited-edition collections that offer seasonal variety to your home without losing the modern primitive vibe.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Determine a vision Be driven
Hedge your bets, to take safer risks
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
Our customers are inspired by organic shapes and clean colors. They want simple ways to bring nature in from the outside, through texture and product materials. Our clients are also globally-conscious and expect that imported products are ethically made and sustainably sourced.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wearethecommonwealth.com
- Instagram: @thecommonwealthhome
- Facebook: @thecommonwealthco
- Other: Threads @thecommonwealthhome
Pinterest @thecommonwealthhome
