Meet Yumilka Soto | Architectural Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yumilka Soto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yumilka, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought of starting my own business was a combination of feelings, to be honest, It was my passion, ambition, and desire for independence, the drivers that encouraged me to do it!

Starting a business also allowed me to pursue my personal and professional goals on my own terms, and the potential for financial success was an added motivation. Ultimately, I wanted to build a legacy and contribute to the growth and development of my chosen industry.

The beginning was the scariest process I ever have gone through, the fear of the unknown and at the same time the hunger to succeed in my field and show my family that I did it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an architectural interior designer, my work revolves around creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces that enhance the human experience. What sets me apart from others is my unique approach to design, I start always my design meetings by asking “What is the feeling you want to experience when you walk into the space? “, this is key for me to get inspired because Design isn’t about me, it is about the client and their emotions”. I am just a pair of train eyes to channel the experience the right way aesthetically speaking.

I am proud of how far I have come, coming from a tiny island ( Dominican Republic ) and getting to accomplish beautiful restaurants and residential oases. I got where I am right now by learning from mistakes and repeating processes, I can’t stress enough about the importance to keep learning, keeping updated within market reach, and developing customer relationships. It required a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication, and continuous learning.

I faced obstacles such as budget constraints, tight timelines, and managing diverse client demands. However, by staying focused, being adaptable, and constantly seeking new knowledge.

Throughout the years I learned how important it is to create a support system, a united team, and document processes. The most important one is to take notes about where you fail and what you can do to improve, like self-criticism, and listen to others you have two ears and just one mouth.

I believe that good design has the power to improve lives and leave a positive impact on the environment and I want the world to know me as a very creative talented woman who worked her way up to create a brand that can inspire others and bring joy, at the end, we all have our ways to spread joy to our universe.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, this is so exciting! First I will take her to eat some local food, then I will let her rest while I coordinate the week. Early night I will take her to enjoy a Tropical Lounge vibe at Unico Gastrobar, so she gets to dress up fashionable and take lots of pictures and videos for her memories. This place is perfect because it transitions into a night club and we get to dance and have fun the rest of the night. The next day head to some local attractions, parks, or a place where we can walk and she can enjoy a nice conversation and take great pictures. We will head back to rest and if she is in the mood we can go after hours to a really cool bar called BLACK CAT, where we can have a nice cocktail late-night experience. Next Day I will cook a nice meal for her and maybe head to Mammazzitas Lounge to have a happy hour and eat some light tapas and finally as the gran finally I will take her to LA DIABLA NIGHT CLUB & LOUNGE, to have the most exiting experience of her life! I think she will have a nice little vacay with great memories within these places that of course I designed!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Throughout our journey, we meet so many people, and each person comes into our lives with a unique energy to fulfill a meaning, task, or learning. I am so blessed to say I had and have the support of my assistant Johanna Calderon, Jose Ortiz, Lenna Corrido, Visual Studio Plus team, OMCA Construction, Recon Design and Build, SCD Supreme Construction, Alamo Photography, Christina Diaz, and many more, the list is so long!

Website: visualstudioplus.com

Instagram: @visualstudioplus

Linkedin: Visual Studio Plus

Twitter: Visual Studio Plus

Facebook: Visual Studio Plus

Yelp: Visual Studio Plus

Youtube: Visual Studio Plus

Image Credits
Alex Alamo Photography