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

Hi Christina, what matters most to you?
My unwavering belief in the power of following one’s intuition has been the compass that has led me to where I am today. It is the principle that has guided me throughout my career journey, from my beginnings in global marketing to founding High Vibe Havens to now, working as an Intuition Medicine® Practitioner and Energy Healing Coach. My best summary for this is: always follow your intuition, that gut knowing or feeling of ‘this is it!’.

My career path has been an intricate tapestry, woven together by the threads of intuition. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be an international business woman that drew together my love of travel, creativity, business and storytelling. I grew up visiting my grandparents every summer in Sweden, and while I never felt completely Swedish or completely American, my friends and I could relate over our shared love of Adidas snap off pants and Skittles – hence, my love of brands as tribe, as language, was born. Behind my grandparent’s cabin in the woods, my sister, brother, friends and I would build an outdoor fort every summer. We would drag our friends’ playhouse furniture up the hill behind the yard of the cabin and set up a whole theatrical scene where I would play either a banker or decorator. An amazing marketing professor of mine at USC once said, if you only work for one company, work for Procter & Gamble. So I followed her advice and my intuition, and only applied for one job out of college and got it.

Unfortunately, P&G did not hire undergrads straight into marketing as that required an MBA so, trusting my gut, I applied for a job in Finance and was lucky enough to land on the global finance team. After a year of proving myself as a global financial analyst, I was able to reapply for a role in the marketing department and ventured into my global marketing career, where I learned the importance of authentic storytelling and connecting with people in a deep way. It was there that I honed my skills in understanding human needs, desires and aspirations, skills that would serve as the foundation for my future endeavors. My career in marketing led me to eventually get an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and work at the top levels within Visa, Twitter, and Google ultimately landing me a Chief Marketing Officer role. My work spanned leading Visa’s global digital Olympics campaign to launching mobile payments in sub-saharan Africa and South America, to launching Twitter’s first global marketing campaign and working on NASA + Google Cloud’s brand partnership.

After going through a divorce in 2016, my gut told me it was time for a shift in focus. Despite having my dream job, I was no longer feeling fulfilled or inspired, and I went on a deep, introspective journey that also took me around the globe. I quit my corporate job and joined a program called Remote Year. By the end of the year I had visited 56+ countries while reading every self-help book you can imagine, visiting temples, healers and enrolling in various retreats a la Eat Pray Love style. I started an online retail store at that time called INA + ILIA after myself (ChristINA) and my sister (CecILIA) that featured home decor objects made by women around the globe. I hail from a long line of Swedish artisans and decorating and creating beautiful spaces has always been a deep love of mine. Scandinavians are incredible at interior design because of all the time spent indoors during the winter mixed with their practicality and penchant for the arts and handicrafts. I learned a lot from my Mom in terms of how to decorate and entertain. Both sets of my grandparents were craftswomen and men who loved to paint, crochet, and woodwork and a semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark during college further honed my love of design.

The next chapter of my journey saw the birth of High Vibe Havens, my conscious interior design studio. Again, my intuition nudged me towards this path, urging me to create spaces that resonated with the energy and essence of the people inhabiting them but more importantly focused on the life they wanted to manifest. I draw inspiration for my designs from my travels, collected objects, plants, and textiles. I work with my clients to understand where they are today and where they want to be in the future to create the perfect high vibe haven for them. I would describe the style as Bacalinavian – a maximalist approach to using objects with stories, mixed with nature, and collected objects with a touch of California chic (Bali, California and Scandinavia – my three favorite regions/countries of the world).

In 2021, I deepened my own spiritual practice and growth and enrolled as a graduate student at the Academy of Intuition Medicine® in Sausalito, California. I am now a certified Intuition Medicine® Practitioner and Energy Healing Coach. Here, the principle of intuition became not just a guiding force but the very essence of my practice. I delved into the intricate world of the body’s subtle energy systems and now help clients balance their chakras, remove energy blocks, and heal past traumas that are holding them back from living the life of their dreams. My work extends beyond the individual to my interior design practice as I have expanded my offering to include space clearing for homes and businesses as well, ensuring there are no negative energies blocking homes or businesses.

Guiding individuals and companies to envision, craft, and manifest their desired realities, I rely on my intuitive insights to help them create environments that support their goals and aspirations. Throughout this journey, I’ve remained a storyteller at heart. My passion lies in connecting the dots between my clients’ dreams and their current realities. My career has been marked by remarkable experiences, from holding leadership positions at renowned brands to venturing into the startup world. My educational background, rooted in business and design, has provided me with a well-rounded perspective. However, it is my Master Certification in Intuition Medicine® that has allowed me to merge the analytical with the intuitive, creating a holistic approach to personal and professional transformation.

Lastly, my passion for travel has enriched my life with diverse perspectives, further fueling my belief in the universal language of intuition. It has been the driving force behind my career, the source of my creativity, and the key to helping others find happiness, balance, and success in their lives. It is through intuition that I have woven together the various facets of my journey.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In a world where spaces are often overlooked as mere physical constructs, High Vibe Havens aims to shift that perspective. We want the world to know that your space is more than walls and furniture; it has a living spirit that can either hinder or enhance your journey in life. High Vibe Havens is not your typical interior design studio; we are on a mission to elevate your energetic frequency by transforming your surroundings. Our journey began in 2020 when I launched this venture in the heart of San Francisco, at the onset of the pandemic.

During a time when people were seeking solace and connection within their homes, High Vibe Havens was born to help them create a safe and nurturing cocoon they could truly call home. High Vibe Havens is not just a design studio; it’s a catalyst for personal and spiritual growth through the power of intentional living.

At High Vibe Havens, our core passion lies in helping individuals raise the vibration of their homes, businesses and ultimately their lives. I believe your space is a reflection of your inner world, and it plays a crucial role in your life journey. My approach is deeply holistic, seeking to meet my clients exactly where they are in their personal evolution. I aim to support them in reaching their desired destinations and guide them toward their true north—their soul’s purpose—or in one client’s case, ensuring that the house was decorated to maximize her Airbnb earnings.

What sets me apart is my unique and multifaceted approach to interior design. I integrate color psychology, intuition medicine, design theory, and symbolism into my practice. I believe that your space should be a harmonious reflection of your intentions and energy. It’s not always about drastic renovations or overhauls; often, it’s about reorganizing, enhancing, or simply rearranging elements to infuse intention into your environment. I also pride myself on being budget conscious, working with clients to create affordable interiors. I also offer space clearing and personal energy clearing.

By working closely with my clients, I gain a deep understanding of their goals for their space, their aspirations in life, and the specific energy they wish to cultivate within their surroundings. My journey has not been without its challenges, but every obstacle has been an opportunity for growth and learning. I have discovered that the key to overcoming challenges lies in adaptability, creativity, and an unwavering belief in my mission, which is to elevate the consciousness of the planet through thoughtful design.

The qualities coworkers and clients have used to describe me are inclusive, adventurous, transparent, creative, empowering and solution oriented. I love going on what feels like an adventure with every client whether that be for interior design work or personal energy coaching. Ultimately, I am here to support you in designing the life that you want to live. I believe we each have the power to create the life we want to live, and I hold your hand along that journey. With High Vibe Havens, you can transform your space into a sanctuary that supports your highest aspirations and resonates with your authentic self. I invite you to join us on this transformative journey, one space at a time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are endless opportunities for fun things to do in Los Angeles. I have a lot of visitors come throughout the year, and a few regulars on my list are as follows. I love starting my day off with a run or bike ride followed by a juice at Kreation or breakfast at Un Caffe Altamura or the Black Flour food truck, which serves buckwheat crepes, in Manhattan Beach, I would go for a hike up to Griffith Observatory, go to the Rose Bowl flea market the second Sunday of the month, have iced chai and a Stanwhich at Two Guns Kitchen in El Segundo. We’d go to a pilates class at Studio MDR, have dinner at Jame an Italian Bistro in El Segundo and have ice cream at Salt & Straw in Manhattan Beach.

One afternoon would definitely be reserved for a rollerskating adventure along Venice Beach boardwalk and stop for garlic potatoes at the Wee Chippy. Hiking in the Pacific Palisades is a must, and if the timing aligns a full moon breath workshop with Ana Lilia at Will Rogers State Beach.

Concerts at the Hollywood Bowl are also delightful followed by dinner and drinks at Laurel Hardware. I’m an art lover, so checking out the latest art exhibits at The Broad and the Getty museum after brunch at Farmshop at the Brentwood Country Mart are a perennial favorite.

For my more adventurous friends, the amazing Toledo Show on Friday night at the Petit Ermitage is a unique performance opportunity only available in LA. After all that activity, an authentic Thai massage at Raven Spa in Venice is the perfect way to decompress and while we are there, stop and savor one of my favorite vices in life – Swedish candy from Huset on Abbot Kinney. No visit to LA would be complete without shopping for vintage coats at Hidden Treasures and going to dinner at the Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga Canyon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support of my parents. My Mom was a Pan Am flight attendant. She exposed my brother, sister and I to the world from a young age, and I am incredibly grateful to her for giving me the travel bug, for instilling a respect for other cultures and curiosity about the world. My dad owned his own engineering firm, and he inspired me to always think entrepreneurially. He was also deeply spiritual and came from a lineage of intuitive healers. I am grateful to him and my aunt, Gunilla, for sparking my curiosity about deeper realms of living.

I would love to dedicate this shoutout to Dr. Francesca McCartney who has made it her life’s work to train her students in becoming Intuition Medicine practitioners. We all have the tools to heal ourselves and our energy bodies. Until we heal ourselves, we can’t heal the world. I would like to dedicate my life to sharing these gifts of Intuition Medicine with others directly as well as through the work I do in communicating both visually through interior design and verbally through marketing and beyond.

In addition, I have many teachers I would like to thank both in the business world and spiritual worlds. To my previous managers who taught me so much about becoming a business leader and to my various spiritual teachers who are too many to count. For design, I have always loved California designer Justina Blakeney who incorporates plants into her designs. I have always loved Josef Frank for his colorful textiles and architect Luis Barragan from Mexico City. And to my love, Zaheer, who makes every day brighter, lighter, and more joyful.

Website: https://www.highvibehavens.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinathelin/

Other: https://www.christinathelin.com/

Image Credits
Jay Dred – Photos in blue and white dress Ashley Barrett – all others Dylan Maddux – meditation photos

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.