Innovation

Question: How can I make time to explore a passion that fuels my innovation?

My Story:

For Wendy, innovation has always come naturally, whether through art, cooking, or reimagining how people connect with one another. Ever since she was a young girl, she has been bringing new ideas to life, starting with paint and paper and expanding into interior design, and then working to create new ways to bring people together.

Years into her career as an interior designer, Wendy began to feel a creative gap, not just in her own work, but in the industry as a whole. She noticed how designers often worked independently and hesitated to share ideas or collaborate.  Wendy had a different vision.  What if, instead of competing, designers could learn from and inspire one another?

That spark led her to create a shared space for herself and her peers. What began as a modest showroom in the basement of her accountant’s building has grown into a thriving hub with a storefront, vendor partnerships, and a community of designers. The South Shore Design Center is a space where creatives can connect, share ideas, and hopefully be inspired.

Wendy’s innovative energy doesn’t stop there. She continues to paint and displays her own artwork in her storefront. Even in everyday life, whether following a recipe or reorganizing a space, Wendy brings her twist, always seeking fresh ways of doing things.

What sets Wendy apart isn’t just the ideas she generates, but the systems she builds to sustain them. For her, innovation is as much about longevity as it is about creativity. She has learned to prevent burnout by staying inspired, surrounding herself with creative minds, and always making space for something new.

Wendy never set out to be “innovative,” but in her instinct to create, connect, and challenge the status quo, she has shown how deeply this strength is woven into every part of her life.

“Innovation is about bringing new energy into the world, whether it’s through a painting, a space, or a community. It’s not just about creating something unique, it’s about creating something that connects people in new ways.”

- Wendy