Buffalo Boss Babe: Raelyn Woltz
Todays Buffalo Boss Babe is Raelyn Woltz owner of West End Interiors. West End Interiors specializes in space planning, unique finishes, and project management. They focus on west-coast-cool aesthetic that loves fine details, in built-ins and cabinets, clean lines, well placed lighting, and especially tile work. We chatted with Raelyn about buffalo, design and so much more!
Photo by: Sarah Wintle Photography
What made you start or brought you to where you are today? Tell us your story and what makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe?
I started planning for West End Interiors late in 2017. I've always known that I would own my own business since I was a young gal and was excited and nervous that the gears were in motion. I made the leap 100% and quit my job to pursue West End Interiors full time. Honestly, it was a terrifying decision. There were a lot of sleepless nights, long conversations with my husband, and seeking assurance from family and friends that I was doing the right thing. I think any small business owner who is taking the plunge from a full time job can relate. I spent countless hours researching, listening to podcasts, reaching out to other successful designers, putting systems in place, branding myself, taking in everything I could in order to prepare. Looking back on it, making the leap was a scary experience, but would I do it again in a heartbeat? Yep.
Photo by Sarah Wintle Photography
What does being a Buffalo Boss Babe mean to you?
It's truly an honor! I hope it means that I'm setting an example for what you can achieve, and what Buffalo is willing to accept. I had my doubts that I would be able to find clients that wanted the modern aesthetic that West End has, but all of my doubts have been shattered. It's amazing when you create your brand and toss it out into the world how many people will get on board and are excited!
Photo by : Sarah Wintle Photography
Who are your favorite people to follow?
Locally I follow a huge mix of local businesses and blogs that I think do a great job at promoting what they do and I can tell are passionate about it: @buffalohomebuyersclub who understands the ins and outs of being a millennial and making the plunge to buy a home,
Photo by Sarah Wintle Photography
What are your favorite things to do in the area (Buffalo and greater WNY)?
We love to eat! Any new restaurant or bar that opens up know that I am there within the first week. On the weekends you can catch me riding my bike around the city taking it all in with my husband or walking my dog. It's the simple things!
Photo by: Sarah Wintle Photography
Tell me about your favorite collaborations or a dream collaboration?
Right now I'm collaborating with Cody Weiler on a restaurant in Lewiston. We are working on rebranding the entire space along with updating the exterior/interior. I would love to do more projects like this since interiors and branding go hand in hand, and thats often pushed aside by business owners.
If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be?
It would probably be Amber Lewis from Amber Interiors. She is the first designer that I found that made me think WOW this is what I want to do! I learned a lot from watching her develop on social media and have watched her style evolve. She's super personable, humble, and doesn't take herself too seriously which are traits that I really admire. Our job is fun, and if we make it too serious thats when the creativity and client relationship suffers. I think she shows that being 60% personable and 40% professional is a great mix to attract similar clientele.
What are your hopes, dreams, goals? Big or Small.
My brain is filled with so many ideas I often wonder how I will achieve them all before I'm 80 years old. Short term goals are to ride out this crazy life change of owning a business. Make it to 1 year and evaluate my growth and invest it back into myself. I keep saying it out loud so I know it's going to happen, but in the next year have a store front thats open to the public so I can offer all the amazing finishes we use for our projects to someone who is looking for a unique detail in their home renovation. Think tiles, fixtures, flooring - but obviously done the West End way!
Photo by Sarah Wintle Photography
Tell us about your family (2 Legged , 4 Legged) ?
I just got married this July! It's been a crazy year. Jonathan and I bought a home about 3 years ago, gutted it to the studs, and built it back to what it is now. We have a dog, Milo! We love to cook dinner together, go on walks and bike rides, and take trips to the Adirondacks.
Feel Good Five :)
Color: Blue
Food: Oh man. Can I pick? I will eat pretty much anything.
Super Power: I wish I eliminate travel and just appear in places. So much of my day is driving to job sites/consultations. That would be great!
Animal: Milo, obviously.
Season of the year: Fall
Favorite thing about Buffalo: The outpouring love I've received since starting West End. I could not be grateful enough for support.
I don’t know about you but I feel like Raelyn is going to be popping up in design magazines and maybe an HGTV show in the future. Her style and design is amazing and we really cant wait to see what the future holds for her and West End Design Company! Follow along with her on social media at @westend.interiors or visit her website!
Until next time babes!
-Carrie
Buffalo Boss Babes is a woman run blog series featuring women in and around the city of Buffalo N.Y.
If you know someone doing amazing things for our community, past and present, young and old..... send us a message at buffalobossbabes@gmail.com
Be kind to everyone you meet.
Here's to strong women! May we know them. May we be them
