Today we’d like to introduce you to Bren Cisneros.
Hi Bren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I had just graduated from college with a BA in graphic design in my hometown of Cuernavaca, Mexico. I was completing an internship at a local design studio when I received a message from an old friend in Maryland who owned a small interior design firm. She needed help and offered me a position as a junior interior designer. Without hesitation, I said yes. I applied for a work visa and was hired on the spot. Even though my degree wasn’t in interior design, I learned on the job and quickly fell in love with the profession.
When COVID impacted the world, the company I was working for closed. Around the same time, I stepped into a new chapter of my life; becoming a wife and a mother to my baby boy and I took a three-year hiatus to focus on my family. That season changed me deeply and reshaped my priorities.
In March 2023, I launched Raf & Lia Interiors, a boutique studio specializing in commercial design. What started as a return to work quickly became something much more meaningful. Today, I lead projects that help small business owners bring their vision to life through intentional, strategic spaces that support their growth. As a Latina immigrant, a mother, and an entrepreneur, my work is no longer just about aesthetics; it’s about creating environments that empower people and tell their stories.
I now see design as a tool for impact. My journey has taught me that sometimes stepping away is not falling behind, it’s gathering strength for the next chapter. Where I am today is not where I expected to be when I first said yes to that opportunity, but it is exactly where I am meant to be.
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?
One of my biggest challenges was starting over in a new country and in a field I hadn’t formally studied. I had to learn quickly, prove myself constantly, and build confidence in rooms where I often felt like I had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously.
Another defining struggle was the season when the world shut down during COVID and I stepped away from my career to become a mother. As grateful as I was for that time, returning after three years brought a lot of uncertainty. The industry had moved forward, and I had to rebuild not only my business but also my professional identity and confidence.
Launching my own studio came with its own fears; especially the transition from being a designer working for someone else to becoming a business owner responsible for every decision, every client, and every outcome. There were moments of doubt, financial pressure, and the challenge of learning how to sell my value, not just my work… and all of that while learning to become a mother with no support system. When I decided to move to US years back, I never imagined I would end up raising a child as I maneuvered entrepreneurship.
But each of those struggles clarified my purpose. They taught me resilience, empathy for other small business owners, and the importance of creating opportunities instead of waiting for them. Today, those experiences shape how I lead, how I design, and how I support the clients who trust me with their spaces.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Raf & Lia Interiors?
Through Raf & Lia Interiors, I help small business owners transform their spaces into environments that feel intentional, aligned, and ready for growth. I specialize in commercial interior design with a strong focus on strategic color decisions and finishes; elements that are often underestimated but have a profound impact on how people experience a space and a brand.
Over time, I’ve become known for guiding clients through the decision-making process with clarity and confidence. Many business owners feel overwhelmed by choices or unsure how to translate their vision into a physical environment. My role is to bridge that gap; turning abstract ideas into cohesive, functional spaces that support their goals, their teams, and their customers.
What I’m most proud of is helping entrepreneurs see their own value reflected in the spaces they occupy. When a client walks into their finished space and says, “This finally feels like us,” that’s the moment I work for.
What sets me apart is that I approach design as both a creative and strategic tool. I don’t just focus on how a space looks, but on what it communicates and how it performs. As a business owner myself, I understand the pressures my clients face, so every decision is made with their reality in mind — budget, timeline, operations, and long-term growth.
My work is rooted in the belief that design should not be intimidating or exclusive. It should be accessible, purposeful, and empowering. Ultimately, I see my role as helping businesses express who they are through spaces that work as hard as they do.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The opportunities that changed my life came from relationships I nurtured over time, not from perfectly planned networking strategies.
My advice is to lead with curiosity instead of asking, “What can this person do for me?” Reach out to people whose work you admire, ask thoughtful questions, and show sincere interest in their journey. Most people are more willing to share than we assume. In late 2024 I had the privilege to meet Sandra Pacheco, the Executive Director and Founder of HDS Biz Solutions, a leading business consulting firm in Rockville, MD. From the moment I met her, learning about her story, I became inspired by her determination and resilience. I began asking questions and she happily shared her experiences; without intention, I had found myself a mentor.
Networking also becomes more meaningful when you focus on consistency rather than intensity. Staying in touch, celebrating others’ wins, and showing up for your community builds trust over time. Some of my most valuable professional relationships grew from simple conversations that continued long after the first meeting; just like my story with Sandra.
What has worked best for me is being open about where I am in my journey; both the strengths and the uncertainties. Authenticity attracts the right people. As an immigrant and business owner, I’ve learned that you don’t have to have everything figured out to connect with others; you just have to be willing to show up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rafandliainteriors.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raf.and.lia.interiors
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brencisneros
