We recently interviewed Portland Saturday Fundamentals student, Rachel Mayta! Rachel has an inspiring story of surviving retinoblastoma as a child and since then she has always been determined to achieve her goals. We are so excited that she is pursuing her love and talent for Interior Design.

1. Where are you from and what was your career path prior to Heritage?

“I’m a Portland native and enjoyed a 12 year career in hair design before deciding to pursue my passion for Interior Design and enrolling at HSID Portland. Prior to Heritage, I also spent time managing a blog for childhood retinoblastoma survivors and children and adults who have lost an eye.”

2. Why did you decide to pursue interior design as your career?

“As a hair stylist I loved helping people feel good about their appearance, but after 12 years I am ready for a change. I am so excited to be able to design spaces for my clients that are special to them and that they look forward to coming home to.”

3. What challenges did you have to overcome to get where you are today?

“As a childhood cancer survivor and someone with monocular vision, I like to call challenges ‘hurdles’ because it makes them seem easier to conquer. I’ve overcome a lot in my life and always strive to do things that seem impossible.”

4. What is your future career goal as an interior designer?

“I love the idea of a home being an experience. My goal after completing this program is to specialize in unique housing options; whether it’s a tiny home that requires creative ideas to save space, or a short term rental for a home owner that wants to take their rental property to the next level to create an experience for their guests.”

5. Where do you draw inspiration from?

“People around me have often teased that I make a “fort” everywhere I go. No matter where I go or how small the space may be, it’s important to me to make it feel like home. I like to create the same feeling a child gets when they walk into a blanket fort they built themselves. I call it the “Ahh” feeling – when everything is so harmonious and complete your body just knows it’s right.”

6. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

“Set your goals and standards high, and do whatever it takes to attain them.”

7. Anything else you’d like to share?

“Heritage is such an incredible school. I knew before I enrolled that I would love what I was learning, but it’s so much more than that. My experience here has been nothing short of life changing. I’m so grateful for my classmates and instructors and am excited to have a career that I love.”