Today on She In The CLE, we are debuting a new series called She In The CLE Features, where we will feature female entrepreneurs and their businesses. We are very proud to kick off this series with Barrie Spang, Founder and Owner at Sapphire Pear.

Barrie, thank you so much for being a part of our inaugural feature series! Please tell us a little bit about your business.

Sapphire Pear is a full service interior design firm and  home decor store located in Rocky River. Our design team has a combined 35 + yrs of experience in the business and we specialize in Residential design as well as Hospitality & Commercial projects including Senior Living. We are passionate about helping people achieve their design dreams and goals, whether it is through working on a whole house project or helping them find just the right piece to complete a space.

How did you make your way to being an entrepreneur?

After 21 years working as an interior designer for another design firm on the west side of Cleveland, I decided it was time to go on my own. I did love working for someone else and I had nice success in my position, so it was a scary decision to leave, but deep down I always knew I wanted to own my own business. I had dreams, ideas, and passions that were unsatisfied working for someone else. It was something I had truly thought about since I was a teen, so when the opportunity presented itself, I knew I had to jump at it.

What has surprised you most about being an entrepreneur?

The amount of support from the community, my friends & family, and even strangers. I have been overwhelmed by the effort, generosity, and continued support of my friends & family to help me build my business and get the store open. I have to say I have been the most surprised by perfect strangers sending business my way simply because I am now a small business owner. I am touched by the support I have been shown and feel very blessed.

I couldn’t agree more! I would have to say my 3 are work, friends, and family. Sleep? What is sleep?????

What is your driving force?

My passion for design and desire to build a successful business. I absolutely love what I am doing and I spend every early morning with my coffee looking at design ideas and thinking about how to improve the business. I reflect on my designs for my clients. What I can do differently for them. I consider how I can make the design firm and store better. I feel fortunate that I found a career that is centered around my passions & interests and they are definitely what drive me.

How can we find your business?

We are located at 19361 Detroit Rd. in Rocky River. We are in the strip of storefronts that includes Sweet Melissa’s across from Beachcliff Mall. Our phone number is 216-377-1965 and we are open Mon-Fri 9:00am until 5:00pm and Sat 11:00am until 4:00pm. We are on the web at www.sapphirepear.com as well as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest as @sapphirepear

We hope you will check out Sapphire Pear on social media and stop in the store to say hello to Barrie and her team!