Today we’d like to introduce you to Gisele Cano.
Hi Gisele , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In the wake of the pandemic, I made one of the scariest decisions of my life: I walked away from an eight-year career as a dental assistant. I had no job prospects, and the degree I held offered only low-paying opportunities in the city. Still, something inside me knew I was meant for more than the daily grind—the same train everyone else was riding and I wanted off. I wanted to discover the path others had overlooked.
I turned to entrepreneur podcasts, took a few courses, and started exploring what truly lit me up inside: transforming spaces. It was something I’d loved since I was 14. I used to rally my friends on weekends to help me redecorate rooms as a surprise for my mom while she was away. One time, we transformed three rooms in a single weekend. I was obsessed with faux finishes, stencils, and always had wallpaper in my childhood bedroom—it was in my DNA.
When I started seeking clients, I offered 3D design and helped a friend reimagine her basement virtually. It was the perfect storm—everyone was suddenly working from home, staring at their plain walls, craving change. I found an accent wall online that I just had to recreate, and that sparked the beginning.
My boyfriend (now husband) was also working from home and cheered me on every step of the way. Our first job required us to buy so much equipment that we each walked away with just $75. I remember thinking, Is this really going to be worth it?
Turns out—it was.
Today, we’ve built a thriving business specializing in wallpaper installation, accent walls, carpentry, and custom finishes like lime wash and faux painting. We’ve worked with incredible builders, collaborated with award-winning designers, installed in penthouses, and partnered with global brands. It’s been humbling, exciting, and deeply rewarding.
Our motto? “Life’s too short for boring walls.”
And we stand by it—one wall at a time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When you work with large corporations, getting paid can take time—sometimes up to two months. And when you have a few of those projects lined up back to back, it can really stretch your finances. I’ve learned that in this business, you have to plan ahead. Subcontractors often get paid first, so it’s crucial to set aside reserves to keep something in your own pocket during those waiting periods.
There was a time when I was so driven by success that it started to spill over into every part of my life. I’d stay up past midnight catching up on invoices and client emails, burning out quietly while the business grew louder. Eventually, I realized I needed a shift. Now, I bring my laptop on-site so I can handle admin tasks between jobs—freeing up my evenings to focus on what matters most at home.
Of course, like many small businesses, we’ve also weathered our share of slow seasons. Even in booming cities, recession doesn’t discriminate. I’ve seen friends and neighbors lose their jobs overnight, and it’s had ripple effects. I’ll never forget showing up at a client’s home, only to learn her husband—the household’s main breadwinner—had lost his job just hours earlier. She still had me come out, but understandably, we weren’t hired in the end.
That moment stuck with me. It reminded me how quickly things can change for people. It also taught me to be smarter about how we structure payments and protect our team. Now, I make sure we’re financially prepared to pay our people—whether or not a project hits a snag—because they deserve that security. It’s one of the many ways this journey has helped me grow not just as a business owner, but as a human being.
We’ve been impressed with The Style Maison, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We specialize in installing both designer and non-designer wallcoverings for residential and commercial spaces. Our work also includes custom accent walls, molding, and carpentry. In recent years, we’ve expanded to include specialty finishes like Venetian plaster and authentic lime wash—some of the cleanest, most natural materials you can use to elevate your walls.
What sets us apart? We treat every project with precision and care. Before installation, we thoroughly review each wallpaper—sometimes even calling the manufacturer to ensure we have the exact specs and best practices needed for a flawless application. Our team is made up of detail-obsessed professionals, including several former engineers and mathemeticians who now bring their technical eye to help the business.
We’re proud to support our community and partner with designers throughout the process, often stepping in to help project manage when needed. During site walkthroughs, we frequently catch discrepancies that could affect the outcome of an installation—whether it’s surface prep, layout, or trim work—and we flag those issues early. It’s this level of commitment that has helped us build lasting relationships with top-tier builders and award-winning designers.
Because in our world, details matter. And beautiful walls deserve nothing less.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Relationships matter—but so does integrity. If someone tries to take advantage of you, you have every right to walk away.
We once worked with a designer from California who hired us to measure and review her wallpaper order. Despite our repeated warnings that the wallpaper wasn’t the correct height, she dismissed our on-site measurements. Months later, on install day, the paper was indeed too short (about 1 whole foot)—for two different areas.
I offered a solution to save the project and ensure her client wasn’t left hanging. She took the credit, then made additional changes, which we appropriately charged for. Eventually, her client required a reorder, and instead of settling the balance, the designer withheld final payment—even after we went above and beyond to help.
I chose not to take legal action—it wasn’t worth more time or energy. I cut my losses and made one thing clear: I’ll never work with her again.
Pricing:
- 14×15 rooms -most likely going to pay $3500 plus for wallpaper install only
- designer paper is priced on case by case basis
- we do not do peel and stick
- lime wash is $15 a square foot of wall not floor, does not include prep
- I have rent friendly apartment or condo paper that is not peel and stick
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thestylemaison.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_stylemaison
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thestylemaison
