Michele Pelafas, founder of Michele Pelafas, Inc. near Chicago, is a celebrated salon and spa interior designer whose creative vision and expertise have been recognized in top industry publications and at major trade shows. In the Brainz Magazine interview, she reflects on her unexpected entry into the business—from starting as a receptionist at a furniture company to pursuing formal design education and ultimately launching her own firm focused on luxury beauty and wellness spaces
Michele highlights what differentiates her brand: a design-first philosophy that merges functional interiors with custom furniture to craft immersive, tranquil environments that elevate both client experience and business success. She also shares career milestones, such as expanding into a full design studio and manufacturing facility, and discusses her dynamic daily role leading a multidisciplinary team.
Throughout the interview, Michele emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and staying true to her instincts as keys to progress. She also reveals future goals, including bringing her design ethos into residential wellness spaces and launching a new e-commerce brand, Ele Beauty, alongside plans for a brick-and-mortar “home spa store”.
