Design Happy Will Change Your LIFE!

Design Happy is one of our favorite discoveries the past few months, as they take Organizing your life and your desk seriously. Design Happy is all about the process of rearranging your things – not your life, leaving you with less stress and more smiles, decluttering both the tangible items and mental disarray in life. Design Happy, LLC services include home, office, and digital organization, interior design, and relocation management. Anything you need organized – Design Happy can help from the mess you can see in your space to those you can’t, like getting passwords and budgets under control.Spearheaded by founder Kalina Leopold, we had the chance to talk about the history of the company, and their future.

Tell us about Design Happy! How did it start?

In the summer of 2018, my boyfriend started a group for divorced dads in Park Slope. He kept coming home and talking about all the dads out there who needed help now that they were single parents, like getting their new apartments together or braiding their daughter’s hair. A light bulb went off in my head! I told him to introduce me to the next divorced dad who said he needed help. And just like that, things started to happen!

How long has Design Happy been in business and what drove your passion and vision for starting it?

In December 2018, I started with my first client. In August of this year I rebranded the business as Design Happy. My vision was to take my love and passion for organization and being in service of others by helping to alleviate the stress of figuring out themselves. For most people, just getting started is the hardest part. Whether it’s organizing a pantry or creating a goal plan for the coming year, I take the guess work out of it for my clients. This frees them up to enjoy both the process and the results.

What kind of organization skills do you provide and is everyone different in terms of their plan going forward?

I offer a full range of organization services and personal coaching. Whether it’s a physical or digital space, a business playbook, a relocation, a special event, a career or other life change, and everything in between - I can help you! I customize each plan for the individual or business. My goal is create a system that works for my client, their learning style and their lifestyle. After all, it doesn’t help anyone else if it only makes sense to me! It’s important to me that they have a feeling of relief throughout the process. I am always aiming for that big smile when we are done. Once a project is complete, it’s like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders and it brings me so much joy to see the transformation in my client too!

Do you help to organize families as well as individuals? How do they differ if so; or how are they the same? Since we live in a very technology driven world.

I work with individuals, families and businesses. Of course each project is different and specific to the client. That said, the similarities abound. Each client comes to me looking for a solution to a challenge they’re facing and are are unsure how to achieve it alone. They all want to create a change in order to enjoy some aspect of their lives or to relieve stress - singles want to enjoy their vacations or pets or hobbies, couples want to enjoy each other, parents want to spend more time with their kids and business owners want to help make their organizations run more efficiently which brings joy to their employees and clients. Each type of client wants something for themselves in order to experience more happiness with those around them. To me, it’s the most beautiful part of my job.

With locations in NY, Miami and Austin, which of the three seems to have those most overwhelmed? Do you see a difference in priorities?

People are people, no matter where they live. Priorities differ based on the project more than the location of the client. In today’s fast paced world, we’re all overwhelmed in some way, regardless of where we live. Of course, there can be logistical challenges based on location. For example, in Austin and Miami it is much easier to find donation pickups than in NYC, where wait times can up to 2 months!

What is one small thing everyone should do to organize or declutter their lives?

Create a place for ALL of your things and put them back when you are done using them!

Where do you see Design Happy ten years down the road ?

There is no limit to where Design Happy can go in the next decade. I am humbled and inspired by the reception my company has received in our first year and cannot wait to see where this journey leads. Ten years from now I will still be helping my clients design their happiest life. A few goals of mine include a retail line of products specific to organization and personal development, educating children and families on how to manage big emotions and stress, and creating community through workshops and retreats.

Kalina Leopold and Design Happy can be found on social media @DesignHappyLLC and at www.designhappyllc.com