Today, we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Risolio.
Hi Alicia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Femme Rooted Interiors is my brainchild, born out of my vision to create beautiful and LGBTQ+-friendly spaces in the Salt Lake City area. As an open, feminine, lesbian entrepreneur in Utah, I recognized the need for inclusive environments, especially given the prevailing focus on businesses catering to the Mormon community.
The idea for Femme Rooted Interiors emerged from my desire to give back to my community and address the challenges faced by the queer community in the current political climate. I wanted to create spaces that openly celebrate individuality, femininity, and queerness. My primary focus has been on Short Term Rentals and Local Businesses, catering to the specific needs of the queer community, especially when they are traveling.
While I initially concentrated on Salt Lake City and its surroundings, my ultimate goal is to extend the impact of Femme Rooted Interiors nationwide.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting Femme Rooted Interiors has been a journey filled with unique challenges and personal struggles. As an openly queer female entrepreneur in the state of Utah, I faced the stark reality that most businesses cater primarily to the Mormon community. This posed a significant hurdle for Femme Rooted Interiors, which aims to create LGBTQ+-friendly spaces in a landscape dominated by a different demographic.
Internally, I grappled with doubts about whether there was room for my business and ideas in the Utah climate. The prevailing business norms made me question my place and the viability of Femme Rooted Interiors. This internal struggle led to moments of self-doubt, challenging my confidence in navigating a business landscape that didn’t necessarily align with my vision.
Establishing a business that stands out amidst cultural and business norms in Utah requires resilience and determination. The journey has been marked by navigating the complexities of being an entrepreneur in a place where the mainstream might not readily embrace LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Overcoming these challenges has become a source of personal growth and pride as I strive to carve a space for Femme Rooted Interiors in an environment that may not always align with its mission.
Despite these struggles, I am proud of the progress made and Femme Rooted Interiors’s impact in fostering inclusivity. The business represents a commitment to creating welcoming spaces. It stands as a testament to my resilience and dedication to challenging and diversifying the business landscape in Utah for the better.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As the sole Interior Decorator for Femme Rooted Interiors, I specialize in crafting designs that embody earth tones, natural woods, and diverse shapes and fabrics. My unique vision focuses on creating spaces that not only reflect individuality, femininity, and queerness but also stand out in an oversaturated market. I am known for producing social media-worthy designs that elevate Short Term Rentals and local businesses, helping them make a distinctive mark in the competitive landscape.
My designs’ intentional blend of inclusivity and aesthetic appeal sets me apart from others in the field. By catering to the LGBTQ+ community and incorporating various elements, I bring a fresh and unique perspective to interior decorating.
One of my proudest achievements is the ability to overcome the challenges associated with being an openly queer entrepreneur in Utah and establishing Femme Rooted Interiors. The resilience and dedication poured into creating designs that resonate aesthetically and contribute to a more inclusive environment are sources of immense pride for me.
How do you think about luck?
Being raised in a predominantly heterosexual Mormon community created a challenging environment for me as an individual discovering my queer identity. The lack of representation and understanding led to internal struggles and a sense of isolation during my formative years.
The impact of this bad luck on the creation of Femme Rooted Interiors is twofold. Firstly, the conservative cultural landscape in Utah, where mainstream businesses predominantly cater to the Mormon community, posed a considerable challenge. Establishing an LGBTQ+-friendly business in such an environment required navigating through societal norms that didn’t align with my vision.
Secondly, the negative experiences I faced after coming out of high school, including bullying and social exclusion, contributed to internalized homophobia, depression, and anxiety. Overcoming these personal challenges became crucial to my journey towards establishing Femme Rooted Interiors. The business, in many ways, represents a response to the adversity I encountered, aiming to create safe and inclusive spaces for the queer community.
While bad luck has presented hurdles, it has also fueled my determination to make a positive impact. Femme Rooted Interiors is a testament to my resilience in overcoming challenges and my commitment to fostering inclusivity and representation, especially in locations where the odds may seem stacked against such endeavors.
Pricing:
- $7/sq foot – In-Person Designs
- $500 – Virtual Visionary 1 Room Digital Design
- $800 – Duo Designs 2 Rooms Digital Design
- $1200 – Triple Transform 3 Rooms Digital Design
- Save 15% when you refer a friend!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/femmerootedinteriors?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=fe6438f7-88d1-484b-a0f4-5bed49ef5daf
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femmerootedinteriors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555532923860
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/femme-rooted-interiors-salt-lake-city
Image Credits
Brianna Lee
