Welcome to our Member Spotlight Series, where we proudly showcase the businesses and individuals making a difference in our Strive communities and beyond. Today we have the pleasure of highlighting Stacy Elliston, founder of Hive Collaborative, a hospitality interior design firm operating out of our Flex at the Gild location in Dallas. Join us as we learn more about what inspired Stacy to start her business, and what she enjoys most about her work!
Tell us a little about your business
HIVE Collaborative is an interior design consulting firm focused on the Hospitality Industry. We provide interior design and interior architectural services as well as strategy consulting for teams and specific projects, operational consulting, Owner and Brand representation.
What led you to start your business?
I’ve been in the Hospitality design field for 30 years, most recently as a Principal and Co-Founder of Studio 11 Design. I sold my ownership in the firm in August of 2022 and launched HIVE in January of 2023
What sets your business apart from your competitors?
The multi faceted ability of the firm to provide many levels of services – not strictly Interior Design.
What is something you wish you’d known when you were just starting your business?
This is technically the 4th business I’ve started and each one has a different story on how it was conceived. Truly based on the landscape of the industry at the moment and what we see as a hole needing to be filled.
How do you navigate your work-life balance?
It’s much easier now. I went from working upwards of 70 hours a week, managing a staff of 30-40 and approx. 50 projects to having 3 of us working on a handful of projects. This was a conscious decision to create more of the work-life balance.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
At this stage of my career, it’s about providing a place for those that work with me have the flexibility to create their work-life balance. This is something that our industry is not known for.
How has being a part of the Flex at the Gild community affected you and your business?
It has been wonderful to be here the last 2 years. The location is perfect and having a place of “business” for the flexible schedule the team and I have has been so incredibly helpful.
If you had a friend in town, and you could take them to one of your favorite restaurants or spots in your community, where would you take them?
You can typically find us at ShinSei, Al Biernat’s North or Louie’s. Would totally drag any friend coming into town along with us into the rotation.
We want to thank Stacy for her willingness and enthusiasm in participating in our Member Spotlight series. If you are interested in spotlighting your business with us, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your community manager; we are always eager to help elevate your business in any way we can!