Meet Tami Espinoza | Interior Designer

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

Hi Tami, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always been creative, organized, and entrepreneurial, with a deep desire to help people. After 20 years in corporate retail project management with brands like Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Walmart, and ModCloth, I realized my favorite days were spent collaborating with designers and producing photoshoots. Outside of work, I co-launched a women’s clothing line with friends, giving back to organizations fighting human trafficking.

My love for design and architecture began in childhood, flipping through my dad’s Architectural Digest magazines. After leaving corporate America to become a stay-at-home mom, we moved to Waco for my husband’s job. Craving connection with other women and a creative outlet, I enrolled in a night course for Interior Design. It reignited my passion, and I soon began working as a design assistant for a wonderful mentor. I loved every moment—connecting with clients, solving design challenges, and creating beautiful, functional spaces.

When my mentor moved away, I paused to focus on family and the adoption of our second daughter. Then the pandemic hit. It was a challenging time, but it inspired my husband and me to start flipping homes in Waco. Restoring old houses and giving them new life for their owners was incredibly fulfilling.

Through those flips, my Instagram following grew, and word-of-mouth referrals brought interior design clients my way. Helping people create homes that reflect their unique stories quickly became my passion.

When we moved to Houston in April 2024, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But the Houston community has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, making this transition a dream. Rebuilding my business in the city where I was raised has been one of the best decisions of my life. I’m so grateful to continue creating spaces where people can truly dwell and flourish.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Tell us more about your business:
We are a full-service interior design studio in Houston, TX, creating warm, functional spaces for busy professionals and families. We handle every detail—from new construction and remodeling plans to finishes, furniture, and art—minimizing stress and decision fatigue. Our team focuses on high-quality materials to transform your home inside and out.

We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about:
Reflecting on my life journey, I realize my unique perspective on design stems from being what some might call a late bloomer (and I’m okay with this ;)). The many hats I’ve worn often merge together, giving me insight into different life stages. Unlike many of my GenX peers with kids in high school or college, I have young children in pre-K and elementary school. This connects me with both younger parents navigating early parenthood and my peers transitioning to empty-nester life.
Having married at 41, I also vividly remember my single days, designing spaces that were entirely my own—like the freedom to choose a pink tile bathroom without a second thought! This helps me connect with single clients, empowering them to embrace their unique styles unapologetically.
Now, as a human, dog, and cat mom, I understand the need for homes to be both functional and beautiful, capable of withstanding the chaos of kids and pets. For my empty-nester friends and clients, I help reimagine their homes into spaces that reflect their evolving lives while welcoming new grandchildren.
My life experiences and the timing of my milestones give me a broad perspective on design, allowing me to create spaces that resonate across generations. It’s a joy to have a foot in multiple worlds, bridging them through thoughtful design.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges:
I’ve built my business by dedicating time to research, investing in business coaching, and putting in the hard work behind the scenes to get it off the ground. It hasn’t been easy—and it still isn’t—but it’s incredibly rewarding. When faced with challenges, I take a deep breath, break things down, and focus on identifying the next right step to move forward. My goal has always been to help myself and others get unstuck and keep progressing.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way:
I’ve learned that there’s more than one way to approach things, and success comes from figuring out what works best for you and your business. Double-check everything—measure more than once and take more photos of a space than your phone likely has storage for! As a business owner, I’m responsible and accountable for every piece of work my team and I deliver to our clients.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story:
Ultimately, the work we do should bring joy—not just to us but to our clients as well. That joy should be infectious, creating a positive experience for everyone involved.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston has so many fun things to do! With young kids, I don’t get out as much as I’d like (lol), but when I do, here’s where I’d take friends: We’d start with an Astros game, then head to St. Arnold’s Brewery to enjoy a beer on the porch on a nice day. A trip to Pier 6 in San Leon would be a must—the waterfront views are stunning, and the food is amazing! I’d also take them to The Heights for great food, art, and antique shopping.

If there’s time, we’d catch a play or musical at the Wortham Theater Center. Granted, the last show I saw there was Bluey, but it was still such a fun experience! While we’re in the Museum District, we should visit the Museum of Fine Arts—the collection there is so extensive and inspiring! And, of course, the Houston Museum of Natural Science would also make the list—it’s been a favorite of mine since childhood and is hands-down the coolest science museum I’ve ever been to.

We’d probably also need to hit up The Charity Guild Shop, which is one of my favorite places to thrift in Houston. Lastly, if I had design buddies visiting, we’d definitely check out the Design Center to admire all the gorgeous, design-worthy finds!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Shoutout goes to two incredible people who have been instrumental in my journey.

First, to my husband, CJ Espinoza. His unwavering support for me, my dreams, and my business makes everything possible. He helps me maintain a work-life balance, understanding how important it is for me to be a present mom while also recognizing how much running my business positively impacts my mental health. I’m so grateful for his encouragement, which allows me to focus on helping my clients move forward with design decisions that improve their day-to-day lives.

Second, to my mentor, Lesley Myrick. Lesley gave me my first opportunity as a designer and has been my biggest cheerleader ever since. Even after seven years in this field, I still connect with her a couple of times each month. Lesley is not only a talented designer but also a wise and supportive friend. We see each other as allies, lifting each other up rather than competing. Having someone so smart, successful, and generous in my corner has been a true blessing.

Website: https://www.dwellandflourish.com/

Instagram: @dwellandflourish

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwellandflourishinteriordesign/

Image Credits
Mike Davello, Rachel Neckar