Luisa Rizzo
I chose this career path because
I spent 20 years in Commodities on Wall Street working my way up from an entry-level position to Executive Assistant and office manager for the CEO. I was with the pioneers of Wall Street and was the first person to use the computer to do data entry right on the trading floor. It was a great career filled with 12 hour days, which I eventually had to leave behind. So, I moved from Manhattan to the suburbs where I began raising my daughter, Sofia. The rewards of motherhood were amazing, but personally I still had the energy and drive to do more for myself, so I decided to go back to night school and study interior design. I graduated and then moved forward to work in the field and open my own business.
I prepared for this career by
I took night classes at Nassau Community College, where I received my A.A.S. degree in Interior Design with high honors. I worked for a brief period for a staging company before I ventured out on my own path. Additionally, my 20 years of experience on Wall Street, in commodities where I had diverse roles and learned to work in a high pressure environment with tight deadlines - while multitasking, has given me a solid foundation as a businesswoman.
The biggest challenge I've overcome
Marketing myself and getting my brand out there while growing my business is proving to be the biggest challenge for me. Like all of us, I struggle to balance it all, but I embrace the challenge and am happy to say that it can all work.
My greatest strength(s)
I am a people person and my experience on the trading floor helped me to learn the skills necessary to deal with all kinds of people. I am a good listener and it helps my clients realize their own visions, and not mine. I am detail oriented, hardworking, and I love to multitask.
My greatest accomplishment to date
Being a mom and where I am today is something that gives me a great sense of pride. Additionally, I am proud of my experiences on Wall Street, for they were amazing and helped me to develop polished organizational, administrative and leadership skills and the work ethic that I embody.
My personal/professional goals
I am in the growth stage and seeing the trends in my business - observing the shifts in demand between staging and interior design. I am hoping to further grow both sides of my business and expand my network of Realtors, Investors and Flippers. I want to take Design Remix to the next level.
What/Who has inspired me the most
My mom is my biggest inspiration, I speak to her everyday. She and my aunt are my biggest supporters. Mom knows when to give me that little push and just when I need a kick in the pants!
I most want to be known/remembered for
Remember me for being a tenacious, dependable and reliable woman who was happy to do her best and work hard.
I participate in the following organizations/memberships
State President New York State R.E.S.A.
Chapter President R.E.S.A.
I have received the following Honors/Awards/Scholarships
Graduated Summa Cum Laude , 4.0 Nassau Community College
Member of Honor Society
I enjoy the following hobbies/interests
I truly enjoy spending time with good friends.