Wendi Stallings is the principal of Private Label International, a full-service interior design studio in San Francisco that develops hospitality environments and lifestyle brand experiences for clients worldwide. “We’re commissioned to create and reposition properties for leading developers, architects, hoteliers and restauranteurs.” Learn more about Wendi Stallings…
Follow at: @wendistallings; @pl_studiolive
Hometown: Lake St. Louis, Missouri
First job: I started my career in sales and design at a custom millwork company in Phoenix. There, I collaborated with professional athletes and CEOs to bring their dream homes to life, encompassing everything from bespoke kitchens and grand entertainment spaces to trophy rooms featuring meticulously crafted artisanal details.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in CA: I enjoy spending time in Marin County, whether taking a family stroll, hiking by the bay or jumping on an electric bike to head over the Golden Gate Bridge to explore the city’s offerings.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: My biggest achievement is raising my kids while building a company. I want to lead by example, demonstrating the rewards of hard work and encouraging my kids to pursue their dreams.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Managing my divorce, supporting my mother through her own divorce and simultaneously launching Private Label amid a recession truly challenged my perseverance and grit.
Someone who inspires you and why: My family is my biggest inspiration. Coming from a long line of entrepreneurs, my family allowed me to feel free to pursue a creative career and always encouraged my love of travel and experiencing new cultures.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Dive into what you love, connect with people who inspire you and stay open to learning from every experience.
Favorite quote: “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it ‘The Present’.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: Most people would be surprised to learn about the extent of my travels and how much I’ve become immersed in different countries and cultures. One of my most memorable and influential travel experiences was studying at La Villette, the National School of Architecture in Paris.
What makes someone fabulous: When someone is committed to their passions and making the world around them a better place.