Meet Michelle Stempien & Carly Schroeder | Co-Founders of House of Creatives

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Stempien & Carly Schroeder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle & Carly, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
At the start, balance wasn’t really a thing. Like most solopreneurs, we were doing everything ourselves, wearing all the hats and constantly in hustle mode. It was almost necessary at the start to create momentum and it worked for a while, but it wasn’t sustainable. Over time, we realized that trying to do it all, all the time, wasn’t the goal. It’s not about perfect balance every day, it’s about being intentional with how and where we spend our energy.

Now, we think about balance more in seasons. There are times when we’re in build or growth mode and we absolutely put in the extra hours. And that’s okay. We’ve learned not to fear those seasons, but to move through them with purpose and a plan to come up for air on the other side.

We’ve also built House of Creatives in a way that supports that rhythm. Our processes are intentionally streamlined so that when we do go all in on a client project, it’s focused and efficient, not drawn out and draining. We designed this business to support our lives, not take them over.

And honestly, having each other is a game-changer. We can tag in and out, lean on one another, and stay in our own strengths instead of trying to be everything all the time. That’s what keeps it sustainable. We don’t chase balance on a daily basis, we just try to stay in integrity with what each season of business and life really needs.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
House of Creatives is a boutique branding agency for solopreneurs who are ready to refine, reposition, or elevate their business. What sets us apart is how deeply we go into the strategy. We’re not just creating logos and websites. We’re helping our clients uncover what makes them and their work truly unique, and then building a brand that reflects that in a clear, magnetic, and scalable way.

We’re most proud of the trust our clients place in us. A lot of the people we work with have been doing this on their own for years. So when they choose to let us in, it’s not just about visuals, it’s about helping them take up space in a way that feels aligned and powerful. That kind of creative partnership is something we don’t take lightly.

Getting to where we are today definitely wasn’t easy. Like most entrepreneurs, we both had a lot of trial and error in our solo businesses before teaming up. We’ve dealt with burnout, unclear offers, clients who weren’t the right fit, and seasons of doubt. But all of that helped us build something that feels solid now. We learned to focus on what actually matters; clarity, connection, and doing great work without over complicating everything.

If there’s one thing we want the world to know about our brand, it’s this: We started House of Creatives because we knew what it felt like to try to do it all on your own. We wanted to be the team solopreneurs were looking for, the ones who could bring their vision to life, offer honest feedback when they’re second-guessing, and help turn the ideas stuck in their head into something clear and actionable. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about having a creative partner who sees the big picture and helps you move forward with confidence.

At the end of the day, we didn’t build House of Creatives to just make pretty websites. We built it to help people feel seen, supported, and ready to lead with a brand that reflects who they are and the level they’re stepping into.

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.
If our best friend was visiting the Miami area, we would plan a week that’s equal parts chill, creative, and well-fed. The first thing I’d have them do is catch the Brightline train from the Miami station to the West Palm Beach station and spend a fun few days in the palm beaches. We’d hit places like Common Grounds and Pumphouse Coffee Roasters for a morning latte and paired with breakfast and of course some undeniably delicious pastries from Aioli. After that we’d explore downtown City Place for some shopping and aesthetic photos on the lawn. Before heading to the beach, we’d grab a quick lunch bite from Tropical Smokehouse– which is by far the best BBQ in town! Then, we’d end our nights gushing over the delicious dinner options at Grato or Ravish and stopping at Civil Society for a chill night with brews. It’s not about doing everything but instead soaking in the city in a way that feels inspiring, low-key, and fun!

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’s no way we would be where we are without a handful of people and connections who showed up for us at just the right time. First and foremost, we have to shout out our individual communities from our solopreneur days. Before we ever partnered up, we were both part of circles that offered encouragement, shared resources, and reminded us that we didn’t have to figure everything out alone.

Instagram also deserves a little love. It’s where we found each other, supported each other behind the scenes, and eventually decided to build House of Creatives together. It reminded us that when the right people align, collaboration is so much more powerful than competition.

And finally, our clients. The trust they place in us, the honesty they bring to the table, and the magic they let us pull out of them is what keeps this work meaningful. Every brand we build is a reflection of someone else’s vision. We just help bring it to life. That kind of creative partnership is something we don’t take for granted.

Website: https://www.house-of-creatives.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofcreatives__