Today we’d like to introduce you to Celeste McGowan.
Hi Celeste, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path into design wasn’t at all what I expected. Like a lot of people, I assumed interior design was all about decorating until my first college professor changed my mind. She said that if we were there to decorate, we were in the wrong program. Interior design was about problem-solving, and understanding how buildings come together, just as much as it’s about aesthetics. It was a lightbulb moment for me. I’ve always been drawn to puzzles, human psychology, and how our environment impacts us, so the technical side of design immediately clicked.
Before pursuing design, I’d already spent the better part of a decade working for myself, so building a business felt intimidating but not entirely unfamiliar. My husband had a welding business called Iron Roots, and while I was helping with drawings for his clients, he encouraged me to pursue a degree in interior design. He’s why I took that first class. As I began taking on design projects of my own, the design division naturally grew within the business. Over time, that side continued to evolve until it became what is now Iron Roots Design.
Over the years, I realized where we could improve the lives of our clients the most and what parts of the business bring me joy. I found myself increasingly drawn to architectural interiors, hospitality, and residential designs, eventually narrowing our focus more exclusively on those areas of design and creative direction.
There is no doubt that both the business and I have evolved a lot over the years. Every stage has taught me something, and each one helped shape the designer and business owner I am today. I’m grateful the path wasn’t a straight line because it ultimately led me to the work I love most.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Entrepreneurship is rarely a smooth road, and mine was certainly no exception. As a young girl, education wasn’t something that was highly valued, so becoming the first person in my family to earn a college degree was a significant milestone for me. There wasn’t a roadmap for building a career, let alone starting a business, so much of my journey has been learning to adapt quickly.
There have been plenty of moments where there wasn’t an obvious answer or anyone telling me what the next step should look like. Whether it was pursuing new opportunities or defining the direction of the business, not every idea works, and I’ve faced setbacks like many business owners have. Through it all, I’ve learned to trust my intuition more with each passing year.
As a young person who faced housing insecurity, and now as a business owner and mother, every season of life has asked something different of me. Growth has often come with discomfort, but I’ve learned that discomfort usually means I’m moving in the right direction.
Looking back, I don’t think those experiences just made me more resilient, they gave me the tenacity I needed to keep going. They’ve influenced the way I lead, the way I design, and the way I approach and appreciate life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them and neither would the business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Iron Roots Design is an interior design and creative studio specializing in high-end residential and commercial environments. We work on a variety of projects, from custom homes and renovations to restaurants, boutique hospitality, and commercial spaces. Every project begins by understanding how people will experience a space before we source finishes, select furnishings, or draft a floor plan.
Our work is centered around space planning, architectural interiors, lighting design, finish selections, custom detailing, furnishing, and construction documentation, allowing us to offer a full-service approach to interiors. Many of our well known projects have focused on extensive residential renovations and hospitality design. Being able to design places locals and visitors get to enjoy is incredibly rewarding.
What sets Iron Roots Design apart is our appreciation for both the creative and technical sides of design. We enjoy the problem solving side of design just as much as the creative process, allowing us to collaborate closely with builders, skilled craftspeople, and our clients to create spaces that are cohesive from every angle. That mindset has become an integrated part of how we work.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a single project or publication, although I’m incredibly grateful for every opportunity. It’s that I’ve built a career where I get to share my creativity and see it positively affect someone’s life. For a long time, that felt pretty vulnerable. Design asks you to share what’s in your head with other people. It asks you to solve people’s problems, help them navigate big decisions, and create spaces that become part of their story. The trust our clients place in us, along with the relationships we’ve built with local builders, artisans, and our community, is what I’m most proud of.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The reality is that parts of my business have failed over the years. Not the business itself, but ideas, services, partnerships, and plans I thought would work out. Those moments were extremely tough. They were also leading me toward something better.
Your business has a way of putting a mirror right in front of your face. It pushes you to be honest about what’s working, what isn’t, and whether or not you’re building something that aligns with who you are and the life you want to create. There will be seasons where you question yourself, where everything feels uncertain, and where you’re forced to grow in ways you may not want to.
If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be this: trust yourself sooner. Go with what makes you feel alive. Lean into the ideas that excite you and scare you a little at the same time. Document what you’re doing. Track ALL the data. Learn from it. Then trust yourself enough to act on what you’re seeing. I think we often know the right direction long before we’re willing to admit it. Lastly, don’t forget to celebrate the wins.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ironrootsdesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironrootsdesign/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IronRootsDesign/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-mcgowan/
Image Credits
Chris Murray Productions (Residential)
Miranda Kelton Photography (Portraits)
Framed Visuals (Commercial)
