Today we’d like to introduce you to Maci Munro.
Hi Maci, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, my mom and her side of the family had always been the creative type, while my dad and his side leaned more technical. Looking back, my favorite subject in school was art, and one of my highest grades was in math—even though I needed tutoring, once I got it, I got it.
I like to say that with my mom’s creative side and my dad’s technical side, interior design was deeply rooted in me before I could even realize it. I remember right before college, where I attended The University of Alabama (Roll Tide!), sitting in my room with a couple of friends, looking at the list of majors to choose from. I clicked on Interior Design and thought it looked so fun and interesting, but with my limited knowledge of the industry back then, I worried it wouldn’t give me much flexibility or many job options. So I began my college career as a General Business major, hoping to narrow down to something more specific once I found what I was good at.
In August 2019, I started college and soon realized—in my second semester, and more specifically in Econ 101—that this major was definitely not for me. It was around March 2020 when I came to this conclusion, and we all know what happened then. We went home for what I call the longest “spring break” ever, and this is when I decided to make the leap that truly changed my life: changing my major to Interior Design.
I finished out the remaining classes I was in as a Business major that second semester of freshman year and went all in on my new major. Because of COVID, everything was online or hybrid when classes resumed, and little did I know how difficult it would be to learn design through a computer screen. But I still showed up for (just about) every class. It was so interesting to me how different school could be—with the projects, software and code education, models, renderings, and more. School before this was just tests, essays, labs, and maybe a project here and there. Being brought into the realm of interior design really opened up a new world, and let’s just say I found where I flourished. School finally became something I was good at without hating it so much, and by graduation, multiple projects of mine were showcased in the CIDA Showcase and I had graduated Cum Laude.
Right before graduation, I landed a Junior Interior Designer position in Dallas, Texas, at a small studio. Right from the beginning, I was thrown into various projects and responsibilities. I was learning so much, so fast. There was so much about interior design that I didn’t even know about, and it was fascinating. But after working ten-hour days for six months, burnout was approaching rapidly, and I decided it was time for a new route. My original plan was to work for a couple of years, learn the ropes, then go out on my own—but I decided that while I was still living at home with my parents, now would be the best time to start my own business and launch my interior design studio. So that’s exactly what I did. A good family friend helped me open my LLC and guided me on my new path. From there, I started gaining more clients, and Munro Design Group was official.
Being a business owner means every day brings a new challenge, but it’s the mindset you hold toward those challenges that sets you apart. It’s so easy to get stuck in a cycle of negativity, especially when everything keeps going wrong and it feels like you’re taking one step forward and ten steps back. Every day is a new learning opportunity, and even on the days when you feel like staying in bed, even getting up to exercise and clear your mind or creating some content for your socials is one step in the right direction.
November 2024 to November 2025 has been the wildest journey to date. From quitting my job to launching MDG, moving out of my parents’ house and into Dallas, to making so many new friends through IDS and other social gatherings—I cannot wait to see what 2026 has in store. That one decision to switch my major in March 2020 has led to so much that has shaped who I’ve become over the past five years and the woman I continue to grow into.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A smooth road? Definitely not—but that’s where you see growth.
One of the first challenges I faced was being taken seriously. I still get asked if I’m in college, which is valid, but it means I’ve had to work extra hard to prove myself in every professional relationship. It’s taught me to be confident in my work and let my designs speak for themselves, even when my age works against me.
The business side of things has been a huge learning curve. Design school prepares you to create beautiful spaces, not to manage finances, contracts, or taxes. Although it’s great not having a boss, sometimes it gets tough when I have no idea how to do something and there’s no one to ask. That’s where ChatGPT has become my best friend, along with some incredibly helpful Facebook groups. I’ve learned to be resourceful and ask for help when I need it.
Finding clients and marketing myself has pushed me way out of my comfort zone. Putting myself out there doesn’t come naturally, but I’ve realized that sharing my work and my journey is how I connect with the right people. It’s a process, and I’m still learning.
Imposter syndrome is real, and I face it just about every day. Between the reactions I get when I tell people I’m an entrepreneur to the reality that nothing runs smoothly because I’m still getting my systems down, it’s truly a “fake it till you make it” situation. But I’m learning that everyone starts somewhere, and being honest about where I am in my journey makes me more relatable, not less credible.
Setting boundaries with clients has been another growing experience. Early on, I said yes to everything, but I quickly learned that boundaries aren’t just important—they’re necessary for doing good work and maintaining my sanity.
Dealing with contractors and subcontractors has also been eye-opening. I’ve picked up on people trying to take advantage of my beginner-level business ownership. It’s taught me to trust my instincts and stand firm, even when I’m still learning.
Enrolling in The Design Bakehouse, a business coaching program for interior designers, has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s given me the guidance and community I needed to navigate these challenges with more confidence.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but every struggle has taught me something valuable. I’m building not just a business, but the skills, resilience, and confidence that will carry me through whatever comes next.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Munro Design Group specializes in luxury residential design and custom furniture, all made locally here in Dallas. What I love most about what I do is making high-end design feel accessible and collaborative—not intimidating or out of reach.
My favorite part of designing is collaborating with clients to create 100% fully custom pieces of furniture, from the overall design down to the finishes and every little detail. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing your vision come to life and watching your clients fall in love with it.
What sets me apart is my versatility. I have expertise in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop, and Canva, which means I can handle every aspect of a project from concept to execution. While I do delegate when it makes sense, I don’t have to—and that flexibility allows me to stay deeply involved in every project and maintain the quality and vision I’m known for.
I offer a range of services to meet clients where they are: design consulting, Designer for a Day sessions, custom furniture design, full remodels, virtual design, and à la carte design for clients who just want to spruce up a couple of small areas. I’m also looking to expand my work with builders on spec homes in the Dallas area, which is an exciting next step for Munro Design Group.
If you’re curious to see more of my work or learn about my services, you can visit my website at munrodesigngroup.net. I’d love to help bring your vision to life.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people might not know that outside of design, I love to cook and bake. It’s my creative outlet away from the computer screen and a nice break from project deadlines.
I also come from a very large family, which has definitely shaped who I am. Growing up with tons of family taught me how to collaborate, adapt, and to hold my own in a room full of strong personalities. Those skills have translated directly into running my business—navigating client relationships, working with contractors, and managing multiple projects at once all feel natural because of that background.
So while my days are filled with renderings and design boards, you’ll probably find me in the kitchen unwinding with a new recipe or at family gatherings. It keeps me grounded and reminds me that creativity shows up in all kinds of ways, not just in interior design.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://munrodesigngroup.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/munrodesigngroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569474360552
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/munrodesigngroup
Image Credits
Hattie Martin, Social Fix
