Life & Work with Chloé Marcano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloé Marcano. 

Hi Chloé, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a New York City native, born and raised in The Bronx! I began my social media brand in 2013 and persona as “Cleverly Chloé”. I knew back then I wanted to help promote other creative talent and help business owners promote themselves to the masses.

As a creative, I’ve worn many hats, including; blogger, podcast host, special event curator, concert host (Trap Karoake), and creative director of my visual series; “Clever In the City” (featured on Revolt.com in 2016).

However, living in and working in New York City began to take a serious toll on my mental health, as a suicide attempt survivor I knew I needed a fresh start. As a person who battled anxiety and seasonal depression for years, I was eager to find a better quality of life. Being a working creative and chasing dreams of success had brought me to an extreme level of insecurity and feelings of inferiority.

I decided to take a leap of faith and leave the only city I’ve ever loved and relocated here to Dallas, TX in August of 2019.

I’ve spent the better half of my adult life working as a creative by night. However, I have worked in Corporate America as a Recruiter by day for the past 6 years. My first year here in Dallas, I didn’t tap into much of my creative talents. Just focused on making a life for myself.

Then, in March of 2020 the pandemic hit, and I was laid off from my job.

I soon realized this was the blessing I had been looking for. A time of stillness to truly allow me to be able to find my sacred work. I love fashion, I love design, and I was committed to helping others. How could this come together?

A friend of mine told me he wanted to tap into the Airbnb market and needed my help. He loved the decor of my apartment and asked if I’d be interested and willing to help him design one of his new listings.

I agreed and 6 months later I had designed 12 apartments/townhouses for him and added 15 new additional clients.

In starting my own business and transitioning my creative talents into the realm of interior decor/design as the creator of Clever Creations Interior Design, I am able to help a slew of clients both on-site and remotely in achieving their wildest decor dreams for their homes/rental properties!

What I’ve been able to do is a culmination of creating beautiful aesthetics to fit the functionality of each individual space! The importance of decor and Feng shui in a home are crucial for the everyday person’s physical and mental prosperity.

Since the pandemic, more and more people are working from home, and I’ve had the pleasure of helping customize these spaces to best assist in this new world order. A clear organized space minimizes the opportunity for mental clutter and distraction. My biggest message to all of my clients is they can have the home of their dreams and not break their bank while doing it!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not! Whenever you decide to take risks or do things that have never been done before you will always be met with resistance. With new goals, come new challenges and I’ve had to trust myself and the universe that what I put out I will receive.

The hardest challenges for me have been committing to learning how to balance finance and creativity. When running your own business, you have to be smart with your funds and understanding what to invest back into it.

This is the part about adulting they don’t warn you about!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a social media influencer/personality, turned interior decorator/designer.

I also have a background in acting and creating a developing creative content from podcasts, blogs, visual series, and scripted series.

I am most proud of my new business Clever Creations Interior Design. Creating a well-designed multi-functional space is fun to me. I see every new location as a blank canvas. I feel my work stands out because I am not afraid to take risks, but I take the time to make my clients feel completely involved in the process and deliver what they want as well as incorporate my suggestions of what they need. They respect my opinion as well as my process.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Saturdays were always my favorite day of the week growing up. My mother made sure I was always trying something new or part of something. I started in ballet at the age of 3 years old, then karate, piano, art classes, softball, you name it, I tried it.

My mother encouraged me to try new things, as many creative things as I wanted. If I enjoyed it, she supported it and made sure I kept it up. Then if I didn’t like something, she’d let me stop. She never forced me to do anything because she understood she had a creative child.

She made growing up fun, and not a chore. I credit my creativity to her nurturing all my interests and talents.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://clevercreationsinteriordesign.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleverlychloe/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cleverlychloe/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCda6VsGzsReicOKrtJz2bNQ
• Other: https://linktr.ee/cleverlychloe