We had the good fortune of connecting with Anel De Castro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anel, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in Dominican Republic in the mid 80’s, and I love my culture- the music, the food, the customs, the warmth of the people, the city, the rich architectural treasures and history (La Zona Colonial is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the oldest European settlement in the New World), the mountains, waterfalls, beaches and even a desert! All of it is in my DNA and an intrinsic part of my being, as a Dominican of course, but also majorly influential in me becoming an Interior Designer. Growing up in a different country and then coming to the USA made me fully aware of how much of a blessing it is to live here. Even though I had to leave a big portion of my family, learn a new language and culture, among many other new things, as an adult I have gotten really present to the sacrifices my parents had to make so that my brother and I had the opportunity to to study here, learn English and become naturalized citizens. It has also been the basis for my love of travel and exploring as I have a very nomadic and curious soul. I believe traveling at a young age sparked that in me, my first time in an airplane I was eight years old, and since then my fascination with anything flight related and airports has gotten quite serious lol.

What should our readers know about your business? Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. 

We are an intimate Interior Design studio that specializes in 100% custom high-end interiors for our clients based on exactly who they are. It’s almost like translating who that person is into a home, which requires a very deep dive. I have a very specific process as to how I delve into that with a client and because of that, so far all of my projects have felt very personal and very intimate -which I love-yet, at the same time, they are all completely different because they are so customized to the client. I like to work with maximum two to three clients at a time so that they can really get the kind of concierge service that they deserve. I love knowing that every nook and cranny of a client’s home is filled with things that are important, relevant and exciting to them- of course there’s there’s definitely a signature D’Luxe Design Studio aesthetic that is communicated, that is very specific to what I do. However, it’s also blended 100% with who the client is, how they live in their home, how they are going to be using the space, who is going to be using the space ; it’s just a very bespoke and very tailored process in collaboration with the client vs dictating to the client what I believe is best, as so many in our industry do.

What I am the most proud of is the level of clientele that we’ve been able to work with over the last 14 years. We’ve been blessed to work with ultra luxury, high-end clientele, including local and national celebrities as well as internationally well known personalities. What makes me even more proud is that these have all been referrals. It means so much to me that my clients have enjoyed working with me and my team to the level that they continue to give us referrals. I’ve met some of my clients literally in line at anywhere from the grocery store to the gym and it’s all about that connection and really clicking with people and then translating that into a working relationship.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

Ironically enough, I had joined the Navy in 2004 with my brother and that was my life plan to be in the US Navy, and to be a helicopter mechanic out of all things. I love engine parts, the smell of high quality octane, all things that fly, mechanics and how things work-but apparently God and the universe had different plans for me. I ended up getting hurt right before leaving to Boot Camp and it’s actually how I ended up in design school during the recovery of that accident, and from the moment that I walked into that studio classroom and learned how to hand draft it was a wrap- I was completely in love with Interior Design. The technicality of it, the flowy creative side of it (I’m self declared left and right brained) as well as the technical challenges, made it an ideal career for me on top of the fact that I’ve been told I’ve been moving furniture since I was three, so it just made absolute sense that I would become a designer. My dad is an engineer, so he definitely sprinkled some of that genius into my way of thinking since I was a kid as well so it all worked out in me being an Interior designer and I love it.

Are the challenges ever really over? Are they ever easy? Absolutely not! Overcoming the challenges is what stretches us personally and professionally and what pushes us to keep going. Nothing in my life has ever been easy, but looking back I’m thankful for the challenges that I have faced in so many different areas of my life at many different times, because they have forced me to be creative as to how to figure out an answer or a strategy on how to solve a problem for myself or a client etc. The challenges are what make us great and through the challenges is how we stay on our toes and continue to be creative problem solvers for ourselves but also for our clients.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

Well, there are so so many lessons. Number one is to have an over-the-top amazing attitude no matter what happens and to have a positive outlook in life. You must know that failure is part of success, and the more you fail the more you succeed, and it all compounds together into one giant success at the end so try to not get hung up on the small details as much as I have, but to have a big vision of where you’re going-“ what’s the end Target ? what’s the end goal here?” Always be moving closer towards that target and that goal so that your daily activities, your weekly activities, your quarterly activities and your yearly activities get you closer to that Target no matter how outrageously large it may be, and that you have a focus on where you’re going. I believe a lot of us (creatives) don’t think big enough or far out enough to really cast a vision (not just a target) but a vision of the end goal so that’s a big lesson for me that has taken me 14 years to learn.

And besides that you know, it’s a hard job no matter what anybody says- interior design, construction, managing people, managing client expectations etc- It’s a difficult job-but to never lose focus of the fact that we’re solving a giant problem for someone it’s not just about us showing off our creative side. The client hired us to do a job for them. We’ve been acquired because of our talent and our creativity but the end goal is to satisfy and to resolve the clients needs. A big lesson is to not lose focus of that throughout the process, I’m constantly asking, “what are we doing daily to manage these clients expectations and to move the project along further?” To the degree that we can solve the clients problem is number one and takes precedence over everything- including the Interior Design ego.
Another big big lesson that I’ve learned as well is there is no shortage of clients!

My clients are my clients everybody else’s clients are everybody else’s clients the people that want to work with me want to work with me and the people who don’t wanna work with me that’s OK too but I only want what wants me. There was a period of time where I wasn’t clear or certain about my voice as an interior designer and it took up a lot of mental energy not understanding that concept that my clients are my clients and that there is no shortage of clients. There’s plenty of people on this planet and everyone can have a piece of that pie so there is no competition- I am who I am and other designers are who they are. Their clients are for them. My clients are for me and that’s the secret sauce!

And the mac-daddy-giant lesson is to enjoy every day no matter what happens rain or shine. The contractors didn’t show up. The material is late , and any number of other cringe-worthy mishaps-whatever happens- enjoy every single day, life is short, and it can change in a second and every minute of every hour of every day is precious, and no matter what we are doing to be thankful, grateful, and know that we are blessed to do the work that we love and to love the work that we do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many things to do in South Florida. It really would be a very packed week. First of all would be desiding which pool and spa we would go to first from Faena to Aqualina to The Standard to Soho house. Those are all fabulous and would be a kickstart to the week then after that for dinner anywhere from Komodo, Queen to Nobu, Contessa, to Versailles and everything in between- to mom and pop hidden gems that I’m not gonna give away because I like them being hidden spots LOL! Everything from sushi or some fresh delicious Cuban food, tacos, yummy steaks, fresh seafood anything that your pallet wants is here in the city. Halfway through the week I’d make sure to make some stops at the PAMM maybe the Frost science museum , a couple of the galleries that are either in downtown or on the beach to get some culture (Ca D’Or, Gallery 88, Manolis Projects, Valentina Bilbao, Manuel Colon, and Carlos Luna to name a few) also one of the AIA walking architectural tours that a that are in downtown and Design District, and in South Beach to visit the art deco Architecture, of course being a designer we’re gonna look at architecture! Vizcaya is a must for the architecture and for their brunch as well. At some point we’d hit the keys, hello conch salad and key lime pie! Maybe we’d have lunch in Key Largo and you know hit up some jet skis and snorkel and then come back up. There’s so many things to do for the friend who is an adventurer, for the friend who likes to sit by the pool and listen to a great DJ, or for the friend who wants to have a cultural or a culinary experience-everything that they’re looking for is here in South Florida!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Absolutely there are so many people that I would love to thank and shout out for their influence their advice, their mentorship, their friendship, their support, and overall furthering of my career whether it was with an opportunity or just some wise words. so absolutely I would love to shout out by name the following influencers in my life:  my mother, Martha for her unfailing support, love and care no matter what is happening in my life, dropping everything that’s happening in hers to come support me, help me move or physically take care of me anytime that I’ve been injured which have been a few in the last couple of years (iykyk), my mom is just my superhero, so I am so blessed to be her daughter and I’d love to publicly shout her out. I love you mommy. To my dad Ignacio, who is my other superhero and gave me my work ethic, Showed me what it’s like to be completely selfless when it comes to family or with friends, showed me what it means to show up for people, no matter what’s happening and to be a leader, whether it’s in the workplace or at home, I love all of the things that my father has instilled in me by his example. I love you daddy. My brother, Omar, who is a freaking rockstar, 20 years in the military -shout out to all my vets- his tireless work ethic and example of being an incredible family man who will do anything for his family and has showed me what it is to be in the relentless pursuit of excellence by his example. This September he will be retiring with 20 years from the US Navy ( the best Navy in the world)with numerous degrees certifications and experiences ranging from being all over the world and deployed several times on peacekeeping missions etc. that I can’t talk about lol-but I’m just in absolute awe and I’m so so proud of him and everything that he’s been able to accomplish in the last 20 years not just in his career, but personally as well . Love you bro.

Sheila R. Davie, who was my first friend in Miami, literally met her the first week that I got to Miami at the groundbreaking of the building Millecento and we have been friends ever since. I’ve watched her daughter grow up we’ve seen each other navigate and go through so many eras and seen each other blossom in our careers, and in life in general and she is one of my closest and dear dear friends who I can always rely on and count on for great advice, whether it’s personally or in my career or in any area of life, Tipa I love you for always being a voice of encouragement and friendship always. For my pastors at VOUS church, DawnCherie and Rich Wilkerson Jr, for their leadership and encouragement, for the culture that they’ve inspired within our community of believers, and for the opportunities that environment has afforded me as far as friendships and connections as well. Marc Feinberg, my writing coach, who through years of encouragement , and sometimes very tough Love has helped me bring forth one of three books that I’ve written about my life story of surviving being kidnapped as a child and being trafficked, domestic violence as an adult and many other challenges- Gracefully Broken, Beautifully Healed, A true story of Forgiveness, Healing, and Hope. Part one which was just finished this year in March of 2024 and is in pre-sale now, at www.dluxedesignstudio.com/shop) and will be dropping on Amazon / Kindle in the next couple of weeks. Parts two and three of the book, which will be out in the next 6 to 9 months, will be announced.
To the countless incredible friends that I have made in Miami over the last 14 years who have been instrumental and are now family and partners in this adventure called life but also in my business, and one way, or another through a referral, through being a client or through speaking about me in a positive light when I’m not even in the room, championing me, encouraging me to continue to be better and so many other things that I’m just gonna run out of room in this interview to say, I’m so incredibly thankful, grateful, blessed and absolutely thrilled to be surrounded by so many excellent people who I get to call colleagues, partners, friends, and family.

As far as a book that has been absolutely instrumental in my success would be The 10 X Rule, by Grant Cardone. It’s been on my list several times a year for the last few years and every time I read it or listen to it I get so many more nuggets out of it and can definitely attribute a lot of my success in life to the principles that Mr. Cardone lays out in that book-his teachings, life methodology and sales training has also been instrumental in my success as well so -giant shout out to Grant Cardone and the whole 10X fam!

Website: Www.dluxedesignstudio.com

Instagram: Anel_De_Castro, Dluxedesignstudio

Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/aneldecastro

Image Credits
Images are my own, taken by me.

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