Who is Divine Living Interiors?
DLI is a fresh, fun and innovative interior design firm that shows that great design is obtainable. You should surround yourself with beautiful things, and I believe you should start with your home.

What service do you provide?
DLI provides color consultations, space planning, one room designs or entire home projects, renovations and new construction material selections, custom window treatments and bedding designs… and Holiday Decorating.

Why did you decide to start a business?
I started my business because I LOVE every aspect of design and I wanted to share my passion with people. I saw a need for a design company in my area that made design approachable and livable.

How did you get started?
I was constantly changing my home because I wanted a beautiful place for me and family. I had changed my family room color 3 times in 1 1/2 years! So, I decided that before I could touch another gallon of paint, I had to figure this whole design thing out. I researched everything I could about color, space planning, fabrics… pretty much anything and everything design related. I decided that I just needed to go to school and get a degree in design, so that’s what I did!

What would you have done differently in the beginning?
I might have had someone partner with me, because I just get too excited when I pick out new items for clients! It would be great to have someone to share design with that loves it like me… besides my husband.

What advice would you offer to someone just getting started?
My advice would be to make a list of your goals and what your company means to you and never deviate… it’s easy to get off track when you have a paying client, but remember why you started your business and stick too it!

Post courtesy of Nicole, Owner of Divine Living Interiors

Who is A Woman’s Place on Main Street?

A Woman’s Place on Main Street was built to serve the breast care needs of women in the Laurel, Maryland community. We are supported by the Main Street Pharmacy and offer custom bra fitting for all women, specializing in those that are large busted. In addition, we provide certified fitting of mastectomy prostheses and bras. Breastfeeding classes and support are offered by our certified lactation counselor.

What do you sell?

Since the business is really in three parts, I have three sets of products that I offer. In the breastfeeding realm, I offer Medela breast pumps for sale as well as weekly rentals of the Medela Symphony hospital-grade pump. Also, Bravado nursing bras, Bebe Au Lait Nursing Covers, Maya Wraps, Ergo Baby Carriers, as well as the Burt’s Bee Baby line and Earth Mama Angel Baby products. For women who have had a mastectomy or breast surgery, I offer Amoena and Jodee products. Finally, I offer Goddess, Freya, Fantasie and Wacoal bras for every woman.

Why did you decide to start a business? How did you get started?

A Woman’s Place on Main Street started very organically. I had wanted to get into the lactation field for years but as a stay at home mom and someone who wasn’t a nurse, it was a bit of a daunting task. I began on the journey by working on a certification in Lactation Education. One day, I stopped in at my local, independent pharmacy and asked if I might hang a flier about some upcoming breastfeeding classes I would be teaching. The pharmacist looked at me and said, “Have I been looking for you?” She took my upstairs from the pharmacy to a beautiful space that she wanted to be used to serve the women of the community. She offered me the use of the space for my classes and asked, “Are you interested in a part-time job? I do fittings for mastectomy prosthetics and bras for large-busted women and I need to find someone to take that on part-time.” Boy, was I interested! She said that we could build the space into one that served many of a woman’s breast care needs and that she would fund my additional lactation training. I jumped at the chance! We now offer breastfeeding classes and lactation support, mastectomy prostheses and bras and a full range of bras that are custom fit to the customer.

What advice would you offer to someone just getting started?

Follow your dream. You never know when the perfect opportunity will fall into your lap.