VoyageOhio: Exploring Life and Business with Danny Russo
Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Russo.
Hi Danny, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
As a native of Youngstown, I was excited to move to Columbus to continue my education in interior design. What I didn’t anticipate was landing my two biggest clients a week into school, which was better than anything I ever could have imagined. I decided to quit the extra schooling and dive right into the industry. Almost 20 years later, it was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been running my own interior design business, Daniel Russo Home, with a network of dedicated and loyal clients who have been with me every step of the way and of course, new clients every year who challenge me and my skills. It’s been exciting and rewarding work, and I’m looking forward to the projects we have slated for the new year.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every small business owner has experienced their fair share of struggles. Managing client expectations and seeing projects to completion during the covid pandemic was one of the hardest to endure. Supply chains all over the world were completely shut down. Projects I had told clients would be finished soon were extended by many months. Thankfully, this year was the first year we started returning to pre-pandemic levels. Supply chains are back to normal, we receive large furniture shipments ahead of schedule, and I’m able to complete clients’ projects to both our expectations, which in turn creates such a more positive experience for everyone.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Daniel Russo Home?
I’m not afraid to break the rules or take risks. Distinctive design is about pushing boundaries – with a balance. I approach my clients’ design projects by, first and foremost, listening to their thoughts and creating a plan that they’re comfortable with. I go a step further by making adjustments in a space where only interior designers know where to look. My clients and I work together towards a shared vision that’s bigger and better than what we started with. I curate the clients’ aesthetic based on their personalities, likes, and dislikes and choose timeless furniture that grow with the clients.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love Columbus because there is an abundant amount of creative energy. Columbus is unique in that it truly is the crossroads of so many different cultures and influences. Here, you have the Northeast meets the South meets the Midwest. That means that our talent pool is extensive, and our creativity is off the charts. Columbus is only growing, and as more and more people move here, there are so many ways for creatives and designers like me to carve out a niche for ourselves!