WINK x Chon Shoaff
Expert Graphic and Interior Designer, Business Owner, and Mom
On this episode of WINK, Women I Need to Know, we dive deep into the world of design, business, and motherhood with the amazing Chon Shoaff. With over 20 years of experience in both graphic and interior design, Chon is a powerhouse entrepreneur who runs her own business and is also a proud mom to a spirited five-year-old boy. Her journey is a perfect blend of creativity, grit, and the art of balancing it all. Whether you're a designer, aspiring business owner, working mom, or just interested in the creative industry, this episode offers practical tips and inspiring advice.
How Design Became a Lifelong Passion
Chon’s love for design began early, nurtured by a family steeped in creativity. “My grandfather was an architect, and I always thought his house was beautiful,” she shares, reflecting on how her childhood exposure to architecture and art shaped her career path. Growing up, Chon was always the artistic type, winning awards for her drawings in high school. Although her family wasn’t wealthy, scholarships helped pave the way for her to attend art school, where her passion for design truly took off.
"Design has always been a part of my life since I was little," Chon explains, and it’s clear that her roots in art and architecture have shaped what she does today.
Advice for Women Looking to Break into Design
For women eager to get into the design world, Chon has a simple but powerful piece of advice: Master your tools. Whether it’s the Adobe Creative Suite or Figma (which she now uses for product design), a strong command of design software is essential. "There’s so many areas in design. You just have to find where you want to be," Chon explains, emphasizing that the key to success in design is both a willingness to learn and a strong work ethic.
Building a Career and Network: Chon’s Journey
Chon knows firsthand the importance of networking in building a successful career. “I didn’t have a big network when I started, but I made one,” she says, recalling how she got her first internship by cold-emailing design agencies and introducing herself. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked. "You just have to put yourself out there," Chon advises, and once you’ve made those connections, they’ll help you grow.
Throughout her career, Chon has also leveraged the power of relationships to bring her back into projects even after leaving corporate positions. Her mantra? “Never burn bridges.”
Designing with Purpose: Creativity as Problem-Solving
For Chon, design is all about solving visual problems—whether it’s maximizing space in an interior or creating a clear, effective message in a graphic. “In interior design, you’re solving problems—how to make a room function better, how to maximize space. In graphic design, you're figuring out how to communicate clearly with minimal distraction,” Chon explains. Her holistic approach to design ensures that every project is not just beautiful, but functional and purposeful.
Chon also emphasizes the importance of trust in interior design: "You hired me for a reason," she says, encouraging clients to trust designers to execute their vision, while still allowing room for collaboration. When designers have the space to work their magic, the end result is always stronger.
How to Incorporate Trends Without Losing Your Style
With the current trend toward minimalist, neutral spaces, one listener asks how to infuse personality into your designs while staying on trend. Chon’s advice? Don’t follow trends, adapt them. “Trends are going to die,” she says. "You want to design for longevity, not what's hot for the moment."
For Chon, the key is mixing different styles to create a timeless and unique look. Modern pieces combined with traditional elements can bring depth and warmth to any space. And if you love the minimalist aesthetic, Chon recommends using bold art and accessories to add personality and contrast to the clean lines of your decor.
Chon shares some of her favorite finds from Amazon:
Designing Around Kids: Stylish, Kid-Friendly Spaces
As a mom to a young child, Chon is no stranger to the challenges of creating a stylish yet functional home. Her top tip for parents? Invest in high-quality furniture. “Kids are messy. You need pieces that are durable,” she explains. Opting for performance fabrics or leather, which are easy to clean, can save a lot of stress in the long run.
But the secret to keeping a home organized with young kids? Creating designated spaces for play. “Having a playroom where kids can be themselves without the pressure of maintaining a ‘perfect’ living room is key,” Chon advises. She also recommends incorporating smart storage solutions—think built-in cabinets or baskets that help contain the inevitable clutter.
Finding Balance: Juggling Business, Motherhood, and Self-Care
The million-dollar question for working moms everywhere: How do you juggle it all? For Chon, it’s all about scheduling. "I live by schedules," she shares. By keeping a consistent routine for herself and her son, she’s able to manage the chaos and keep her business running smoothly. Chon stresses that taking care of yourself—whether it’s getting enough sleep, exercising (even if it’s at 8:30 p.m.), or simply taking time to relax—helps her be a better mom and business owner.
Her advice? “You have to take care of yourself first.” Taking breaks, investing in skincare, and making time for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential for showing up fully for the people you love.
Chon’s Guilty Pleasure TV Show: Shrinking
When it’s time to unwind, Chon turns to the TV show Shrinking, a lighthearted series that blends humor with heart. "It’s easy to watch, and Harrison Ford is in it. He’s just timeless,” she laughs. After a long day, we all need a little mindless entertainment, and Shrinking is Chon’s go-to guilty pleasure and we don’t blame her - who doesn’t love a little Harrison Ford?
The Power of Authentic Relationships
Before we wrapped up, Chon shared one final piece of wisdom for women in any industry: Build authentic relationships. "Relationships are the best currency," she says, stressing that real connections—whether through networking events, internships, or even just cold emails—are invaluable. In today’s digital world, it’s easy to hide behind social media, but genuine, in-person relationships are still the key to success.
Wrapping Up
Chon’s story is a powerful reminder that passion, creativity, and taking care of yourself are all integral to a successful career and balanced life. Whether you’re working in design, running your own business, or navigating motherhood, Chon’s insights offer a wealth of inspiration.
If you want to connect with Chon and see her latest design projects, check her out on Instagram at @designwithchon.
We hope you enjoy this episode of WINK, Women I Need to Know and are feeling inspired by Chon’s journey. Tune in for the full podcast and more episodes here:
