Meet Ciecie Ho | Interior Designer & Home Stylist

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

Hi Ciecie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Deciding to start my own business was a carefully thought-out decision & commitment to myself influenced by my passion for Interior Design, education, & work/life experiences. I studied Interior Design for my undergraduate degree then developed a deeper focus while obtaining my Master’s degree at UCLA, which altogether gave me a clear vision of what I wanted to dedicate myself to professionally.

After completing my studies, I worked with reputable architect firms in Los Angeles and designers in Orange County. These lifelong experiences I will forever cherish but I gradually felt a strong desire for a place where I could allow my creativity to flow more freely & independently. The idea of sharing my creative vision with clients & turning it into a functional reality was something I strongly sought after. Developing lasting & trusting relationships with clients & firms through my work & interaction was another important factor. Also important to my decision but secondary to all that was the opportunity to build a business I love that would allow myself financial freedom. This feeling led me to start my own business, CIE Interior Design, five years ago.

Understanding that starting a business comes with challenges, I decided to offer freelance design services while still working full-time at a design firm. This way, I could gain practical experience while building my own brand and clientele.

In simple terms, I started my business because I really wanted the freedom to be creative, believed in the importance of continuous practice in Interior Design, and thought there’s no perfect time to follow your passion.

Balancing my own business alongside a full-time job proved challenging. As my business attracted larger projects, I recognized I needed to focus entirely on them to deliver the best service to my clients. Along this journey, teaming up with friends to flip homes was a key moment, where I had to play many roles, from designer to builder to stager, & everything in between. Seeing the chance to expand into staging, I started The Suite Staging, offering staging and rentals alongside my design services. This expansion not only gave more options to my clients but also showed how I can adapt to changes in the design industry.

In summary, my decision to start my own business was driven by a desire for creative freedom, a belief in continuous practice in Interior Design, and a realization that there’s never a perfect time to follow your passion. This journey has had its share of challenges yet more so overall rewarding than anything, and it has allowed me to grow and adapt in the ever-changing world of design & business.

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Instagram:

+ For Interior Design: ciestudio

+ For Staging + Rental: thesuitestaging

Website:

+ For Interior Design: www.cieinteriors.com

+ For Staging + Rental: thesuitestaging.com

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciecie-ho-b995a225

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As mentioned earlier, my journey into the world of interior design began with a major in Interior Design and a comprehensive Master’s degree in Interior Architecture from UCLA. After gaining valuable experience working for a firm, I pursued my dream further by founding CIE Interior Design. The aspiration to be not just an interior designer but also an entrepreneur has been a constant driving force. While the path was challenging, what brings me the most pride and excitement is witnessing each project transform beautifully and seeing the satisfied smiles of my clients. The indescribable feeling that comes with the end result motivates me to continue growing and providing increasingly exceptional service. Transitioning from working for a firm to running my own business presented unique challenges, requiring me to wear multiple hats and not only nurture my creative mind but also delve into the operational aspects of the business.
Starting a business is seldom easy, but the rewards are worth the journey. There’s a saying that resonates with me: “There’s always a rainbow after the storm.” Overcoming challenges involved asking questions, extensive research, and attending networking events to connect with the right people and exchange valuable information.
More recently, I expanded my ventures by establishing The Suite Staging, an additional service complementing my interior design business. What sets me apart is the belief that being a designer extends beyond academic and professional expertise—it becomes a lifestyle. I want people to know that success is a continuous journey. In this ever-changing world of design, flexibility is key, and staying open-minded to what comes next is crucial. For me, the next chapter is growing my staging business to serve my local community while continuing to nurture and expand my design business.

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.
If my best friend were visiting, I’d want to showcase the vibrant cultural scene in Orange County, particularly the strong Vietnamese community that holds a special place in my heart. Starting the week-long trip, we would dive into the heart of Orange County’s Little Saigon, home to the world’s largest population of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. Our itinerary would revolve around the rich tapestry of local eateries and shops. From the best pho joints to cozy coffee spots and boba shops, we would explore the culinary delights that reflect the authentic flavors of Vietnam. It’s a journey through the senses, with each bite telling a story of tradition and community.
Beyond the gastronomic adventure, I’d ensure we experience the cultural vibrancy during special events, especially during Lunar New Year. We could wander through the flower-filled streets, explore shops adorned with apricot and peach blossoms exclusive to the festive season, and revel in the traditional “Ao Dai” dresses. Night markets would add a touch of excitement, offering a glimpse into the dynamic local scene.
Beyond Little Saigon, we can explore stunning beaches like Newport Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, or Santa Monica Beach. Each area features beautiful villages with local shops and charming coffee spots, creating a perfect backdrop for relaxation and exploration. A personal favorite is the Abbey Kinney area, where we can spend a day exploring various restaurants, shops, dessert spots, and unique coffee shops. Additionally, there are numerous museums to explore, such as the iconic LACMA or the Griffith Observatory, providing a diverse range of cultural experiences. Another notable spot outside Little Saigon is Pho Saigon Pearl on Fairfax Avenue, in Los Angeles, located near LACMA & The Grove LA. It’s a must-visit for its authentic flavors, adding a delightful dimension to the diverse culinary experiences that enhance my journey.
In essence, this week-long trip would be a celebration of community, culture, cuisine, and the coastal beauty of Southern California.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout first to my family, especially to my parents. They played a major role in shaping me and pushing me to excel in my studies. More importantly, they allowed me to be curious with my creativity from a young age. In all I believe this helped shaped me to achieve the things I have accomplished thus far in my field. My parents, more so my Father made the decision to send me to the US when I was 14 to seek a better education and future, in the land of opportunity. I would be remiss to not mention the gratitude I have for this beautiful country we live in & all the opportunities it has blessed me with. Being away from my parents at a young age forced me to be resourceful & self sufficient, a self thinker. It made me quickly learn to be strong and to make sound decisions on my own. Without my Father’s vision, I would not be here today.
The journey of how I got here was not always the easiest but with all the people & places I have encountered with & helped me in one way or another, I will always hold them & those experiences dear to my heart. It would not be possible for me to mention everyone & everything in a paragraph so in short I would just like to say, thank you!
I also want to acknowledge the influence the book “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” has had on me, written by Richard Carlson. This book has been a guiding light for me in many ways, offering wisdom & focusing on what truly matters and not letting small issues overshadow the bigger picture. It’s lessons have shaped my perspective both personally and professionally, proving instrumental in always maintaining a positive mindset when embarking on any journey or challenge.

Website: www.thesuitestaging.com

Instagram: thesuitestaging

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciecie-ho-b995a225

Other: Webiste: www.cieinteriors.com Instagram: ciestudio

Image Credits
Image credit: Ciecie Ho