My Minimalism Origin Story

I’ve preferred order and calm since I was a child, but discovering minimalism was the “secret sauce” that helped me become a fully-actualized adult. It provided the framework I needed to navigate both personal hardship and professional success.

1987 | With my first pet rabbit, Hershey Kiss

2001–2006 | The Design Foundation

While studying architecture at Virginia Tech, I learned the value of intentional order and refined simplicity. During my third year, I moved into a 1920s home with a bedroom that lacked a closet. I remember asking myself: What is the simplest, strongest solution?—a question that still guides my work today. Since the only furniture I owned was my bed, I designed and built a single piece to serve as my desk, closet, and room divider—creating a clear boundary between rest and work.

2008–2010 | The Pivot to Less

While working as an architect in 2008, the housing market crashed and I was laid off. For two years, I remained underemployed, often juggling several part-time jobs and earning under $15K per year. To stay afloat, I began looking at my belongings through a new lens: What can I live without?

By selling items on eBay and Craigslist, I was able to stay out of credit card debt and avoid borrowing money during a period of extreme scarcity. To my surprise, the experience was incredibly empowering—it became a game to see how far I could simplify. I was happy and free, and it had nothing to do with acquiring the right “things.”

2010–2011 | Resilience & Launch

This clarity led me to launch Minima in October 2010. That same month, at age 27, an ovarian cancer diagnosis traded my business plans for surgeries and chemotherapy.

While resting, too weak for anything else, I daydreamed about Minima’s mission: Make what is necessary beautiful®. My minimalist home became my sanctuary; its uncomplicated nature allowed me to focus entirely on recovery without the weight of physical clutter. Losing my “normal” life for half a year deepened my value of experiences over stuff.

In the spring of 2011, I was finally able to recenter my focus on Minima. I had a very tight budget, but instead of feeling limited, I saw an opportunity—asking again: What is the simplest, strongest solution? Using my architectural background, I DIY-ed Minima’s logo, website, and printed materials with a black-and-white palette and my at-home laser printer.

Today | Living with Clarity

I still run the business with that same simplicity, filtering every new opportunity through one fundamental question: Is this necessary? While I make room for creative exploration, this filter ensures that my core energy is reserved for what truly adds value. It allows me to deliver the essentials to my high standards rather than over-extending. Keeping my home streamlined and intentional is the key component that makes this level of focus possible. It’s the foundation that allows me to show up fully for my clients and continue building a life—and a business—defined by what matters most.