In today's Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Spotlight, we're featuring Kristen Pipal, founder of KP Home, a boutique residential interior design firm in Chicago. Kristen's journey from software sales to interior design exemplifies the power of embracing authenticity. Her story highlights the courage to pivot careers, the importance of self-discovery, and the impact of building a business that resonates with one's values. From unconventional networking to redefining success, Kristen's approach to entrepreneurship offers valuable insights for aspiring business owners.
Hi, Kristen! Thanks for joining us today. Tell us about your business. Who do you serve, how do you serve them, and what's the impact that your business and work makes?
KP Home is a boutique residential interior design firm based in Chicago. We believe in living a more authentic life and know that your surroundings play a big part. We work with on-the-go accomplished professionals to align their homes with their lives by designing and executing sophisticated interiors that are rich in comfort and rooted in self-expression. The positive changes you make in your home are positively and beneficially reflected in your life.
Our specialty is full-service interior design, meaning we are with clients from project concept to completion, making sure things are going as smoothly as possible every step of the way. We can handle anything from custom new builds, full-home renovations, and kitchen & bathroom remodels as well as new furniture refreshes. We accept projects nationwide.
Tell us about the moment you finally felt like you went from wantrepreneur to entrepreneur.
I can't pinpoint the exact moment, but I remember reaching a turning point deep in my gut. For a while, I had been balancing my business as a side hustle alongside my corporate job, but I hit a point where it became clear that if I truly wanted to succeed, I had to go all in. It wasn't just about managing a side gig anymore; I needed to fully embrace the role of an entrepreneur. That meant hustling harder, seeking out bigger opportunities, and stepping into a mindset where I wasn’t just dabbling—I was building something substantial. I realized that continuing to play it safe would limit me to a narrow scope of possibilities. By committing fully, I opened myself up to opportunities I wouldn't have even known existed if I had stayed on the sidelines.
Describe the moment or period in your life/career that motivated you to make the entrepreneurial leap.
For me, this moment arrived after a decade in software sales. At the time, I struggled to find focus and thought the only answer was moving up the ladder. I hired a leadership coach, earned promotions and bigger responsibilities, and…nothing changed. Simply put, I felt stuck.
To my surprise, my leadership coach helped me discover the true root of my discontent…I was in the wrong career. My true passion and calling? Interior design. Soon after this realization, I discovered the Hebrew word, yirah – which describes the fear and thrill of embracing a more authentic life. Safe to say, the serendipitous timing of this discovery shocked me! What else was there to do? I took the message to heart, embraced my fear, did some internal work and launched my own interior design firm.
Describe a tool, service, or software that has been a game-changer for your business. How does it contribute to your success?
Community has always been a cornerstone of my life, and it’s no different in the success of my business. From fellow designers to other entrepreneurs, having people in your corner is essential. When I first started my entrepreneurial journey, I believed I had to do everything myself to prove that this business was truly mine. However, I quickly learned that without support, success is elusive. The support I’ve received—from peers in my field with whom I can bounce ideas and share frustrations, to other entrepreneurs who understand the rollercoaster of running a business, and skilled tradespeople who help bring my vision to life—has been invaluable. This allows me to focus on my 'zone of genius' (a term I picked up from a business coach). Surrounding yourself with people who uplift and support you is key to thriving.
We know that success is very often a non-linear path. Tell us about a failure, pivot point, or lesson that changed your course or direction and helped to get you where you are today.
Early in my journey, I made the mistake of trying to serve everyone and anyone with my design business, believing that casting a wide net would help me scale quickly. I thought appealing to a broad audience would accelerate growth and create more opportunities. However, about a year in, I realized that this approach was not sustainable and was actually holding me back. My work was spread too thin, and I wasn’t attracting projects or clients that resonated with my passion or were even profitable. I needed to refocus and align my business with what truly mattered to me and my goals.
I decided to pause accepting new projects and deeply reflect on what I wanted to achieve. I allowed myself to dream big and set some ambitious goals. This process led me to niche down, concentrating on projects and clients that matched my vision and where I could offer the most value. While it was initially daunting to narrow my focus, I found that doing so was actually more fulfilling and profitable.
It wasn’t just about scaling anymore; it was about building a brand that truly reflected my passion and served my ideal clients. That decision to niche down has been pivotal in getting me to where I am today.
What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly impacted your business?
While networking is a conventional strategy for finding clients and strategic partners, I approach it from a bit of a different strategy. I spent significant time developing a clear profile of my ideal client and then focused on meeting those individuals where they naturally spend their time—particularly in spaces that align with my own interests. For example, I’m passionate about tennis, so I joined a high-end tennis club where I could connect with like-minded individuals. This approach has already led to new clients and valuable strategic partnerships. By engaging in activities I genuinely enjoy, I’m able to show up authentically and build connections in a meaningful way.
What’s something you wish you knew sooner that you’d give as advice for aspiring or newer entrepreneurs?
It may not be groundbreaking, but it's a reminder we all need: you get to define your own success. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others—whether it’s within your industry or to other entrepreneurs in general. But remember, you started your business for yourself and to serve a purpose with your unique perspective. Take the time to figure out what success truly means to you, instead of measuring it by what others have accomplished. Let your definition of success evolve as you grow and your business matures. Once you’ve defined it, pursue that vision fearlessly, knowing that your goals may shift as you continue to learn and develop.
Want to dive deeper into Kristen's work? Follow the links below:
- Visit KP Home's Website kphome.us
- Follow Kristen on Instagram: @kphome_
- Find KP Home on Facebook
- Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn: Kristen Pipal
