Meet Maria Lopera | Interior Design and Real Estate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Lopera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had been working since 2002 as a sub-contractor for custom made carpentry companies. My job was in home design. My responsibility was to visit the customers in their homes and design the carpentry for them based on their necessities. During all these years, I noticed a void between what I was doing, and the customer’s needs. They were looking for something else than to just have custom-made cabinets for them.
I felt that they wanted help regarding how to make their spaces functional. So, a light turned on in my head telling me that this is what I love to do.
I remember an elderly lady that asked for an appointment for a closet. When I went to her house, I found her room with almost everything on the floor. She was very overwhelmed, and she didn’t know how to explain to me what she was looking for. So, I decided to sit down with her and speak more about her necessities and what were her main challenges to find her personal items, medicines, and other important things. So, I wrote down all the issues that she was passing through. Based on that, I redesigned the whole room as well as the closet. The best part of this project was how happy and grateful she was to have her life simplified. She said that “it can not be possible” with a big smile and that made me so happy.
So, after this project, many things started to happen in my life, and I started my dream business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My goal is to bring my clients, vision of their dream space into reality. Not everybody can express and visualize what they want. So, my objective is to understand my client’s needs and desires. I work with all ages, but something that I love is when I work with elderly people is making their lives more comfortable.
What I offer, remodeling, professional organizing services, downsizing, staging, custom- made carpentry, countertops, and flooring. In my personal life I love nature, traveling around national parks and use my free time making tiny gardens.
I am a very detail-oriented person, so my customers trust me when they give me the project because they know that I will attend to every feature we discussed and oversee the project from beginning to end. This way they can concentrate on their families and work. In my opinion, organization is the most important tool in everything that I do. It helps me to create processes and achieve objectives.

My purpose is to bring to my customers all the services in one place to make their renovation process go smoothly.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome to Miami Start the trip with a warm welcome at Miami International Airport.
Check in at a stylish boutique hotel in the Art Deco Historic District of South Beach.
Enjoy a casual dinner at a beachfront restaurant on Ocean Drive.

Day 2: Exploring South Beach
Spend the morning lounging on South Beach’s sandy shores.
Explore the Art Deco architecture along Ocean Drive.
Have lunch at a trendy café on Lincoln Road Mall.
Visit the Art Deco Historic District Welcome Center for a guided tour.

Day 3: Art and Culture
Head to Wynwood Walls to experience the vibrant street art scene.
Explore the Wynwood Arts District and its galleries.
Have dinner at a hip, art-inspired restaurant in Wynwood.

Day 4: Waterfront Adventures
Take a boat tour of Biscayne Bay to see the beautiful Miami skyline.
Visit Jungle Island to see exotic animals and lush gardens.
Have a seafood dinner at a restaurant along the Miami River.

Day 5: Little Havana and Cuban Cuisine
Start the day with a visit to the lively streets of Little Havana.
Explore local shops, art galleries, and the famous Calle Ocho.
Enjoy authentic Cuban cuisine for lunch.
In the evening, catch a live salsa performance at a Cuban club.

Day 6: Nature and Relaxation
Spend the day at Everglades National Park, taking an airboat tour.
Explore the park’s unique ecosystem and wildlife.
Return to Miami Beach for a relaxing spa afternoon.
Have a fancy dinner at a beachfront restaurant.

Day 7: Good bye
Have a leisurely brunch at a waterfront café.
Visit the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) for some contemporary art.
Take a walk along the scenic Brickell Key Walkway.
End the trip with a good bye dinner at a top-rated seafood restaurant.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My friend Nicholas Daniel encouraged me to start my business. I was wondering how to start doing what I love. At the same time, I was scared about how to go about it. I remember that we had a conversation where he told me that “you have the experience, tools and many contacts. Just start.” Nicholas said “and everything will fall into place. Don’t be afraid, just start.” So, I took a leap of faith, and I started faster that I though possible and all with word of mouth, I have been working non-stop for five years.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/fixitandkeepitremodeling?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Other: https://nextdoor.com/pages/fix-it-keep-it-hallandale-beach-fl/