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

Hi Vik, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

Risk is an inherent part of starting your own business and is something you always will have to manage. I built a corporate career in a large company but took a risk when deciding to go to graduate school and focus on Luxury Brand Management at a small European college that nobody had ever heard of. This was a niche that most people didn’t really understand and a professional risk, but one that paid off because it put me on a path to discovering my love for interior design and home accessories while giving me the tools to build a successful business. I started my design firm Ink & Opium as a side business in addition to continuing a full-time corporate career. This was less risky than needing to rely on my design income to pay the bills but a risk nonetheless. As you take calculated risks and see them pay off, your appetite to handle risk and make sound decisions increases and makes you a better and more resilient entrepreneur.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

My interior design business – Ink & Opium – specializes in creating eclectic, one-of-a-kind interiors for residential and commercial clients. Getting to this stage was a circuitous path, but I feel like I am in my element and ‘living my truth’ when digging in to a new design project. Becoming a designer required a lot of time and late nights completing a degree program and training myself to use software but was ultimately worth it.

My design work is eclectic and uses globally sourced items including furniture, artisanal goods, and fine art. I draw inspiration from my time having lived and worked abroad in cities like Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Paris, and Shanghai. My clients also have a love for travel and want to create a beautiful space that represents their experiences and the things they’ve acquired along the way. My goal is to provide a transparent, approachable service to clients who may not be familiar with the interior design process but want to live or work in a space that reflects their personality while maximizing function.

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.
My Ideal LA Day: Start the day with a vanilla bean infused iced coffee from Gelson’s which I am forever thankful to my ex-boyfriend for introducing me to
Furniture and antique shopping at Design Mix Gallery
Delicious sushi lunch at Sugarfish
Visit the Getty Museum to see iconic works of art in person
Drinks at the EDITION hotel rooftop bar in WeHo for amazing views of LA
Dinner at Laurel Hardware on the outdoor patio
Drinks and dancing at The Abbey Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

My parents deserve all of the credit and recognition for their unwavering support that allowed me to find my path in life (and to continue to do so).

Website: www.inkandopium.com

Instagram: @VikMilan

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/vpisipati

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