Meet Pia Sierra | Business Owner and Interior Designer

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

Hi Pia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When thinking about becoming a business owner, there were many things I had to consider.

Who was my target audience? What type of design am I want to offer? Why me?

Throughout my career, I have worked doing residential design for other firms, and I learned all the behind the scene and process that takes for a designer to create the dreamed space for a client. I learned all the technical parts that grad school does not teach you. From meetings with clients, to selling a design, all the way to the purchasing process. I learned how important it is not only to be able to design something appealing to the eye but also to create a connection between the client and the designer. However, I also learned things I did not want to do. After doing a market research, I realized how many designers impose their styles and trends to the client making every house look like a copy and paste.

This is when I realized who I wanted to be as a designer and what my niche was.
I did not want to be like another designer. As much as I have my own personal style, I want to create spaces with soul. Spaces that scream my client’s personality. I want to create spaces that are different because every single client is different.

But together with this comes another question ‘how do I get to know my client?’
When going to grad school, I worked for the hospitality industry and learned the importance of customer service. I learned how important and what a difference makes to not just do your work but also truly care for your client and create a relationship. This is something I wanted to offer as part of my services. I want to get to know my client and offer a real relationship to be able to not only serve better but also design better.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Some of the things that sets me apart as a designer is the way I design. As previously mentioned, I do not want to specialize in a specific type of design. I want to specialize on helping my client making their vision a reality. I do not follow trends or believe there is one specific type of design everybody should follow, or that all houses should look the same. I think every space should have its own personality and no idea is too crazy.

I got to where I am by working hard and have my priorities straight. As a business owner, you do not work a 9-5 anymore. You work a 9-5, 7-7 or even all nighters some days in order to meet deadlines. You learn that how you talk to the client and how attentive you could be, matters. Even with just the simplest thing as to truly listening, because it is then when you get to create a connection and create a design that your client envisions even without saying it.

Is being a business owner easy? Definitely not.
It is not like working for somebody else. If you make a mistake, you have to own up to it. You have to figure it out fast, so it does not become an inconvenience. You do not have a manager or boss behind your shoulders overlooking what you are doing.
Now, is it worth it? One thousand percent.
The satisfaction you get from a happy client and from a finishes project is like no others.
Every project I get to work on is my new favorite project. Every before and after is a pinch me moment.

There are many challenges that comes with becoming a business owner, and even until now, they are still coming. As I always say, it is a learning experience. All obstacles teach you what you could have done better and the best way to fix it. I am grateful for the good moments and for the obstacles, as well.

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.
I cannot start my day without working out. It has become a very important part of me, and I think there is nothing like starting your day with a great work out.

After that, there are so many things to do in Miami. That is what I love about this city.

You cannot come to Miami and not go to the beach and relax. Our beaches are gorgeous and it is sunny every day of the year. We have from beaches perfect for families to party ones or even ones perfect for water sports.

Another place I love going to is the Miami Design District. You can go for some shopping, window shopping, to look at the amazing design from all the stores and showrooms, have some drinks or eat amazing food. The design district is one of my go-to places when I have a friend coming to Miami.

Calle 8! You cannot come to Miami and not enjoy the Cuban culture. Calle 8 has it all. It is a little part of Cuba in Miami. You can walk by the street and see dominos tables with viejitos playing, cigar shops, the best cuban ice creams at Azucar, amazing mojitos at Ball & Chain, cuban food as it was cooked by a cuban abuela at Old’s Havana Cuban Restaurant.

And of course, you cannot miss Wynwood for a good drink or cool picture spots. Brickell for nightlife, my personal favorite place is Tucan. Nothing like good food, music, and shows.

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?
Behind every woman there is a whole team behind the scenes cheering her up.

I would not be able to do what I love without the support of my sister. We always talk about what is next for us, the things we want to accomplish, and we help each other to achieve them. I would love to think we are always there for each other, and our feelings for each other’s success are genuine.

My mom, because I always go to her for advise. Even if it is about a topic she will not understand, I know she always has the best advise.

My boyfriend. Dating someone that does the same as you and loves what they do as much as you do hits different. We can talk about design all day long, and even though we are completely different, I appreciate his point of view and advise. He pushes me every day because he knows how much more I can give, and he has definitely make me a way more confident person and designer.

And the most important one, my dad. I lost my dad due to cancer 8 years ago, but he taught my how to be resilient. How to fight until the end and be strong. He taught me about the importance of work ethics and to be a hard working person, and these values have stayed with me throughout my whole career. I will not be here without his support.
I was graduating from high school at the age of 15-16, and I had to decide what I wanted to do next. I knew since then I wanted to do Interior Design, and where I come from, it was very risky to study a design related career. Yet, he supported me since the beginning. In fact, not so long ago, my sister found a conversation with my dad telling my mom how I was starting design school and how proud he was of me because he knew I found what I was meant to do.

Website: Www.studiotng.com

Instagram: @piasierra_design

Other: Instagram: @studiotng.com

Image Credits
Instagram: @sierraheadshots