Alex Shamis of Wallure Home: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A Founder

Expect the unexpected and be flexible with challenges.

We encountered unexpected issues with some hinges in the early stages of our product development after receiving initial approvals. This meant that a significant redesign was most likely going to be required, according to the factory. Instead of relying on just one opinion, we directly reached out to many other manufacturers and shipped the samples to Miami, where we had additional prototypes made until we found the perfect fit. The factory was ecstatic that we found a solution, and our product moved on to the next stage.

Aspart of our interview series called “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A Founder”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alex Shamis of Wallure Home.

Alex is the founder and creative behind Wallure Home, a distinguished design studio and boutique specializing in the creation of multifunctional furniture pieces that seamlessly blend storage functionality with artistic elegance. During her time working side by side with her father in his hotel manufacturing business, she unearthed her love for design. It was here that she found immense passion in organizing and crafting elegant storage solutions. With each meticulously crafted piece, Alex aims to instill harmony, simplicity, and beauty into people’s daily lives.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Assoon as I graduated college, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I didn’t know what kind of company I wanted to start, but I knew I wanted to create something people would enjoy while also fueling my passion for all things beautiful.

I unearthed my love of design while I was working for my father in his hotel manufacturing business. During this time, I purchased my first home in Miami and began the interior design process with the wonderful Christie Fantis at Casa By Christie. As we were renovating, I found immense passion in organization, but I encountered an absence of storage options that were both practical and visually stunning. This realization sparked my vision to bring function and beauty to those who appreciate refined design.

Can you tell us a story about the hard times that you faced when you first started your journey?

The hardest part of my journey was the complexity of the furniture manufacturing process and the challenges involved in overseas production. During the production process, one of our factories faced some issues that needed to be quickly resolved in person. Even though I was really sick, we made a trip to Vietnam and spent three full days at the factory. The timing had to be then, so I had to push through and get it done.

Where did you get the drive to continue even though things were so hard?

I’ve always enjoyed listening to the success stories of other entrepreneurs. I find it inspiring to hear about their journey, including both triumphs and setbacks. Listening to podcasts with interviews of entrepreneurs has given me a sense of camaraderie and motivation to persevere through difficult times, knowing that failure is just a part of the process.

So, how are things going today? How did grit and resilience lead to your eventual success?

We still have a long way to go, but staying true to our Wallure mantra — Never settle for anything other than the highest quality of furniture we can make — has led to better and more beautiful products. There have been many times when it would have been much easier to allow a small detail to remain and be an okay finish, but okay isn’t enough for us, even if it means starting over. We want to keep working until it’s perfect.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Our first prototype had a beautiful magnetic modular feature that allowed you to move the brass compartments around and create a smaller, customizable cabinet. When the prototype arrived, it looked amazing! When we tried to lift it, we realized it was incredibly heavy — so heavy that even a strong man couldn’t lift it. Needless to say, weight has since been a crucial consideration in our future calculations.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

We don’t just aim to create beautiful furniture; our goal is to solve common storage challenges that many people face. One of our products, the Scarpa Shoe Console, serves as an entryway console and provides storage for shoes and other items typically kept at the front of your home. My husband used to leave his shoes all over the house, which was quite frustrating. I believed that creating this product would offer a solution to others facing the same issue.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Balance is crucial. Without a work-life balance, what would be the point of it all? I’ve found that when I prioritize my health and wellness, my work thrives. It’s very important to balance work, fun, downtime, and other activities. I have found that the more work-life balance I have, the more energetic and motivated I feel in everything I do.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

My father. Changing my career from fashion to working for my father’s hotel furniture manufacturing company was the most important decision I have ever made. My father taught me the intricacies of the furniture industry, including the meticulous attention to detail required to create luxury pieces. Without those years of experience and knowledge he shared with me, none of this would be possible!

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

We are still in the early stages of our journey, but we have made an absolute commitment to sustainability from the start. We source eco-friendly materials and work with suppliers who prioritize environmental responsibility. We do everything we can to minimize waste in our production process, which isn’t as easy as it sounds, but it’s important to us. This is just the start, and we plan on continuously improving and finding new ways to contribute. We are also planning new initiatives in the short-term future. Stay tuned!

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I started leading my company” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

1 . Expect the unexpected and be flexible with challenges.

We encountered unexpected issues with some hinges in the early stages of our product development after receiving initial approvals. This meant that a significant redesign was most likely going to be required, according to the factory. Instead of relying on just one opinion, we directly reached out to many other manufacturers and shipped the samples to Miami, where we had additional prototypes made until we found the perfect fit. The factory was ecstatic that we found a solution, and our product moved on to the next stage.

2 . Build and maintain relationships with other entrepreneurs and industry professionals.

We held a launch event, and I can’t stress enough how crucial the support and advice from other entrepreneurs and industry professionals was for me in the weeks leading up to it. The guidance I received turned out to be just as valuable as months of my own research and time. The community of fellow founders is a beautiful one that should be embraced from the start.

3 . It is critical to always be budgeting and forecasting.

Every single dollar matters, and when you don’t properly plan, a perfect product can fail. We spent a little extra in the beginning to get this part perfect. I can’t recommend enough hiring someone to do a 5-year financial plan. Now, when we have unexpected price increases, it can quickly be seen how they affect the entire business and what can be done to mitigate the unexpected.

4 . Prevent burn out.

There are going to be weeks that are so stressful and time-consuming that it’s easy to lose focus and get burnt out. Instead of pushing through and just working long hours, taking a half day to do yoga, go for a nice long walk, talk to friends, and get reenergized can be very helpful. The work you accomplish in the second part of the day will be much better because of it!

5 . Be patient. Building a successful company takes much longer than expected.

In the early stages, it’s common to feel like you’re not doing enough and that you need to keep pushing harder. However, it’s crucial to be patient and prepared for the increased workload when your product goes live.

Can you share a few ideas or stories from your experience about how to successfully ride the emotional highs & lows of being a founder”?

To effectively handle the emotional highs and lows as a founder, here are some strategies:

1. Prioritize self-care: Make it a priority to take care of your health and ensure you get adequate rest. Your ability to tackle challenges is significantly enhanced when you are feeling your best!
2. Establish a powerful morning routine: Crafting a consistent morning routine sets the tone for a successful day. I personally recommend starting the day with journaling to effectively process emotions and achieve mental clarity.
3. Cultivate a robust support network: Seek guidance from experienced individuals who can offer valuable advice and support.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

My approach would be characterized by unwavering friendship and loyalty. Imagine the positive impact if everyone remained loyal and kind to their friends. Everyone would have an amazing support system and never feel alone. Regardless of how challenging life may be, the support of friends and family is invaluable.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Please follow our Instagram and website for latest updates @wallurehome and www.wallurehome.com

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!

About the Interviewer: Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA was born nearly blind, crippled with club feet, partially deaf, and left-handed. He overcame all of these obstacles to become a successful civil trial lawyer. In 2000, he abandoned his law practice to become a peacemaker. His calling is to serve humanity, and he executes his calling at many levels. He is an award-winning author, teacher, and trainer. He is a highly experienced mediator. Doug’s work carries him from international work to helping people resolve deep interpersonal and ideological conflicts. Doug teaches his innovative de-escalation skill that calms any angry person in 90 seconds or less. With Laurel Kaufer, Doug founded Prison of Peace in 2009. The Prison of Peace project trains life and long terms incarcerated people to be powerful peacemakers and mediators. He has been deeply moved by inmates who have learned and applied deep, empathic listening skills, leadership skills, and problem-solving skills to reduce violence in their prison communities. Their dedication to learning, improving, and serving their communities motivates him to expand the principles of Prison of Peace so that every human wanting to learn the skills of peace may do so. Doug’s awards include California Lawyer Magazine Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year, Purpose Prize Fellow, International Academy of Mediators Syd Leezak Award of Excellence, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals Neutral of the Year. His four books have won a number of awards and commendations. Doug’s podcast, Listen With Leaders, is now accepting guests. Click on this link to learn more and apply.

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