Today we’d like to introduce you to Connor VanVeckhoven.
Connor, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been drawn to helping people feel good in their environments; it started when I was young, rearranging friends’ bedrooms just because I loved seeing how a space could completely shift with a few small changes. That same instinct carried into high school, where I worked in retail and discovered how much I loved helping people feel confident through what they wore. It was never just about the clothes or the space for me – it was about how someone felt in it and the rush that it brought me to bring things to life in that way.
In college, I continued working in retail and eventually became a visual merchandiser for a high-end women’s boutique. Around that time, I also started helping friends with their homes. As more of them moved into their own places, I naturally became the person they’d call for advice – what to buy, where things should go, how to make a space feel like them. This same pattern continued on and eventually friends started offering to pay me for my help.
When I moved to Austin after college, I took what I thought would be a temporary retail job on South Congress (while I looked for a “big girl” job). That role quickly evolved into a more serious one with me managing social media and visual merchandising, and it ended up connecting me to some incredible people. One of my clients, a well-known architectural photographer, reached out to me about a Marketing Manager opportunity at Dick Clark + Associates, and starting that job is what really changed the trajectory of my career.
I studied interior design in college but ultimately finished my degree in communications, so I always felt like I had a bit of catching up to do on the technical side. As marketing manager at DC+A, I was thrown into the world of styling homes for editorial photoshoots and preparing projects for publication. I absolutely loved it, but I also saw the work the interior design team was doing and couldn’t help but be pulled in that direction. I was constantly asking them questions, offering to help wherever I could, and trying to absorb as much as possible. Eventually, they realized I had a knack for design and asked if I wanted to join the interior’s team as an intern. Over time, they trained me in everything I hadn’t finished learning in design school, giving me the kind of hands-on experience and mentorship that you just can’t replicate in a classroom. I will forever be grateful for that season and everything they taught me.
All the while, I was continuing to take on small design projects on the side. It never really felt like “work” – it was something I genuinely loved doing. During COVID, things picked up in a way I didn’t expect, and I started to realize that this could actually become something bigger. I’ve always known I wanted to work for myself one day, but I had certain milestones I wanted to hit before taking that leap.
In May of 2021, I realized I had reached that point. I was making more from my side projects than my full-time job, and even though it was a hard decision to leave a team I loved, I felt a strong pull to go all in. It felt like the right moment to bet on myself. Now, five years in, I can honestly say it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. Owning a business comes with a lot of challenges, but there’s something incredibly fulfilling about building something that’s your own.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges for me has been navigating imposter syndrome. Because I didn’t finish my degree in interior design, there were times, especially early on, where I questioned whether I was “allowed” to be doing this or if I was truly qualified. That inner voice can be loud. But over time, I’ve learned to quiet it by focusing on what’s real – my clients, my numbers and the results. Each year, as I’ve continued to meet goals and build trust with my clients, that doubt has gotten a little quieter.
Another challenge was realizing just how much goes into running a business. When you work for yourself, you’re not just the creative – you’re also the marketer, the project manager, the accountant, and everything in between. There was a learning curve in understanding how to balance all of those roles without burning out. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is knowing when to ask for help and where to outsource. For me, that’s been things like bookkeeping and accounting – areas that don’t energize me and are better handled by someone with that expertise.
There have also been seasons of being incredibly busy, where it felt like there simply weren’t enough hours in the day. Learning how to delegate has been a turning point. Bringing on support and trusting others with pieces of the process has not only made my business more efficient, but has also allowed me to stay focused on the creative side, which is where I do my best work.
Looking back, those challenges have been some of the most important parts of the journey. They’ve pushed me to grow not just as a designer, but as a business owner.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Monarch Revival is my residential and boutique commercial interior design studio focused on creating spaces that feel personal, layered, and deeply lived in. At the core of the brand is the belief that transformation is always possible – and that our spaces should evolve alongside us. Our homes are a reflection of who we are and the journeys we’ve taken, and I approach each project with the intention of creating something that feels meaningful, grounded, and uniquely personal.
I’m especially drawn to environments that feel collected over time – where old meets new, and where you can see pieces of someone’s life, their travels, their memories, and what they’re drawn to. Whether it’s a home or a commercial space, the goal is always to create something that feels comfortable, inspiring, and deeply connected to the people it’s designed for.
While I’ve had experience working on high-end projects, I truly value the creative challenge of working across a range of budgets. No matter the scope, I’m a strong advocate for my clients and take a thoughtful, hands-on approach to every phase of the process.
A big part of what I’m known for is how I approach the finishing layers of a space – furniture, art, textiles, and objects. That’s where everything really comes to life. I love mixing pattern, color, texture, and natural materials in a way that feels balanced and effortless, while still having depth and personality. It’s less about following a specific style and more about creating a feeling.
Monarch Revival offers a range of services, including full-service interior design, design concierge, Round Top shopping consulting, and photography styling. Each offering is rooted in the same philosophy – creating spaces that feel intentional, reflective, and elevated in a way that still feels livable and real.
What sets Monarch Revival apart is the level of intention behind every project. I’m not interested in creating spaces that feel overly designed or untouchable, but rather spaces that feel authentic, inviting, and alive with meaning – spaces that support how someone lives and who they are becoming.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of building something that feels honest to me. From the name to the work itself, there’s a deeper meaning rooted in growth, transformation, and renewal. At its core, Monarch Revival is about curating spaces that awaken the spirit – spaces that not only look beautiful, but feel grounding, inspiring, and truly alive for the people who experience them.
How do you think about luck?
Luck has honestly played a major role in my journey, especially in the early stages of building my business. I mentioned previously that I worked at the retail store on South Congress, where I met those amazing clients who connected me to the job at Dick Clark + Associates; that was truly a pivotal step in my career and a major stroke of luck.
As I continued to grow my business on the side, I was also very fortunate to be surrounded by a strong network of friends, family, and clients who consistently referred me to others. To this day, my business has grown almost entirely through word of mouth, which is something I don’t take for granted. I’ve never relied heavily on marketing or advertising, so the fact that my work has spread organically through referrals has been incredibly rewarding.
Another moment that stands out was right when I made the decision to go out on my own. On my last day at the architecture firm, I was connected (again through a friend) to a client in the hospitality space who was looking for a design consultant. That relationship turned into a retainer role during the first two years of my business, which gave me a level of stability and confidence I really needed at the time. Knowing I had a consistent foundation allowed me to take creative risks and continue building without as much pressure.
Looking back, I do think luck has opened a lot of doors for me – but what’s mattered just as much is what I’ve done with those opportunities. I’ve always approached my work with a strong sense of drive and intention, and I’ve been willing to take risks when the timing felt right. I think the combination of both – being open to opportunity and putting in the work to grow from it – has been what’s really shaped my path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monarchrevival.com/
- Instagram: @monarchrevival
