Her Story
About Michelle
Michelle Melendez is the Founder and Principal Designer of Michelle Melendez Design, an NCIDQ-certified studio based in Minneola, Florida, delivering full-service luxury residential and commercial interiors for families, entrepreneurs, executives, and industry leaders across Central Florida, Puerto Rico, and nationwide. Her path into design began after she relocated from Puerto Rico to Florida and shifted her academic focus from chemistry to interior design, ultimately earning both an associate's degree and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Interior Design from Seminole State College of Florida. Over the course of her sixteen-year career, she built a decade of experience in the commercial furnishings sector, rising from an intern to Vice President of Design, before moving into a five-year role in software sales with a Swedish company that broadened her perspective through global collaboration. In 2021, she took the leap to launch her own firm, a milestone she counts among her proudest achievements alongside caring for her mother before her passing.
Michelle holds NCIDQ certification and is a Registered Interior Designer in the state of Florida, credentials that allow her practice to extend into commercial design even as her current focus centers on residential projects, new construction, complete gut renovations, and commercial interiors. Guided by her philosophy of "Embody Your Living," she approaches every project with the belief that a space should reflect the people who live in it rather than a passing trend, shaping each design decision around how her clients actually move through their days. She is bilingual in English and Spanish, which allows her to serve a diverse client base with ease.
Beyond her design practice, Michelle remains deeply engaged in her professional community as a member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA), and Designers Meet. She previously served as Vice President of Student Affairs for the IIDA Florida Central Chapter from 2021 to 2024 and continues to mentor students at her alma mater, Seminole State College, where she was once recognized with the President's List, Dean's List, and second place in a worldwide student sustainable design competition. Outside of work, she enjoys beach tennis, time with her Yorkshire terrier, and creating new memories with the people she loves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Michelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I credit my success to grit, hard work, and staying humble. I make it a priority to do introspective work and invest time in myself so I can bring my best to the world, and I hold myself to a standard of discipline while leaning on a strong support system. Above all, I attribute so much of who I am to my family, especially my mother, whose work ethic and charisma taught me that there is more to life than what's in front of you.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've ever received is that the world is smaller than you think.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Interior design is a vast field, and you can reinvent yourself many times over while still remaining within it. I'd encourage anyone entering this industry to collaborate and network with others, stay curious, work hard, and show up consistently. Put yourself out there, let go of limiting beliefs, and most importantly, believe in yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges I see in my field right now include a scarcity of true craftsmanship and the difficulty of finding the right clients and genuine connections. There's also a broader lack of authenticity, and in this era of A.I., I think many people are missing that human element. At its core, this industry is about human connection.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity and truly seeing eye to eye with others are the values that matter most to me, both in my work and in my personal life.
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