Built on Realness: Business, Boundaries & Being Yourself with Melissa

In this episode of The Systems Social Hour, I sit down with the one and only Melissa Herriott — artist, interior designer, and founder of Melissa Harriott Designs — for a real, unfiltered conversation about what it looks like to build a business rooted in authenticity. Melissa shares how a chance encounter at her high school art studio reignited her passion for creating, how her design business grew organically (and wildly) from a hobby, and why showing up as herself has always been her biggest business asset. We dig into everything from how she transitioned out of a long corporate career, to the behind-the-scenes of managing a team with heart, to setting strong boundaries that protect both your peace and your client experience. Melissa shares her philosophy on starting before you feel ready, how she built her business without a fancy strategy or marketing plan, and why embracing imperfection is the secret to real connection. If you’ve ever felt pressure to have it all figured out before you start — or like you need to show up perfectly to be taken seriously — this episode will be a breath of fresh air. Melissa proves that building something beautiful doesn’t mean being someone you’re not. ✨ Website - https://mherriottdesigns.com/ ✨ Instragram - https://www.instagram.com/melissaherriott/?hl=en