Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Niz.
Hi Sandra, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am originally from Mexico, and my family came to the U.S. in the 1990s in search of a better life. Looking back, this is when I first learned how to be adaptable and embrace change.
I’ve always been a creative person—something I inherited from my mother. Her ability to read people with empathy was a gift she passed on to me. From my father, I gained patience, as well as analytical and problem-solving skills that have guided me throughout my life.
As the eldest of my siblings, I’ve carried the responsibility of being a role model. That sense of duty has always motivated me. After graduating high school, I was an undocumented student with limited resources. DACA did not yet exist. Still, with my family’s support, I was able to attend college. I chose a career in interior design because it allowed me to combine creativity with problem-solving.
When I couldn’t find a job in my field in the U.S., I returned to my hometown of Guadalajara, where my grandparents lived. There, I reconnected with my family roots and discovered the beauty and resilience of Mexico—the grit people have, and how they make the most of what they have.
Eventually, I returned to the U.S., where I met the person who would become my husband. Though life took us in different directions, that marriage gave me legal status—something that became the foundation I needed to keep moving forward.
Determined to get back into my career, I found an opportunity in sales and design. That experience taught me the inner workings of the construction process, and it also opened my eyes to its environmental impact. That was the turning point that led me toward sustainability, which is now at the core of my work.
I currently advise clients on mindful material selection. While it’s not always possible to be 100% green, I believe that every effort counts.
I feel a deep responsibility to leave the world better than I found it, in whatever capacity I can. I speak up and connect with others who share the same values. I believe we all have the capacity for good—we just have to act on it.
Lately, I’ve felt a strong pull toward entrepreneurship—specifically, opening a restaurant. I’m in the early stages of planning a space that celebrates the comfort food of my home country, while also serving as a cultural hub. My vision is to merge food, tradition, and sustainability in a welcoming environment that nourishes both people and the planet.
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?
Uff! Yes, there have been many struggles along the way.
One of the hardest moments was realizing, during high school, that unlike my friends who were making plans to go to college, move out of state, or apply for exciting jobs—I couldn’t. I felt a deep sense of disappointment and isolation. As an undocumented student at the time, my only option was to attend school as an international student, which came with tuition fees my family couldn’t afford.
Thankfully, around that time, Proposition AB 540 was passed, allowing undocumented students like me to pay in-state tuition. That opened the door for me to continue my education.
Finding work in my field after school was also a challenge. I ended up returning to Mexico, where I found a job as a graphic designer. That experience gave me a new perspective and helped me reconnect with my roots.
Later, the end of my marriage was another turning point. It was painful, but it pushed me to rediscover who I truly was, what dreams I had put on hold, and what kind of life I wanted to build moving forward. That experience taught me how to stand on my own and has become part of the path I’m on today.
I hope to always be growing, learning, and reinventing myself as I go.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work sits at the intersection of design, sustainability, and cultural storytelling.
I’m a designer with a background in interior design and sales, and I specialize in helping clients create spaces that are both beautiful and mindful—from material selection to environmental impact. I guide clients through the design and construction process with a focus on sustainability, always striving to make choices that are conscious and responsible. While it’s not always possible to be 100% green, I believe that small, informed decisions can create meaningful change.
I’m most proud of how I’ve been able to turn obstacles into purpose. My journey hasn’t been linear, but every detour has taught me something valuable—about people, about resilience, and about how design can be a force for good. I’m especially proud of the trust I build with clients. I’m not just there to sell or style—I’m there to solve problems, listen deeply, and translate their values into physical spaces.
What sets me apart is my empathy-driven approach and cultural perspective. I grew up between two worlds—Mexico and the U.S.—and that gives me a unique lens on how people live, celebrate, and gather. That perspective is guiding me into my next venture: a restaurant that brings together the comfort food of my country, sustainability, and community storytelling.
At the heart of everything I do is a deep desire to create spaces—whether homes, businesses, or dining experiences—that feel like they matter.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Plenty.
I’ve found that every time I hit an obstacle, a new door somehow opens. Whether it’s good luck, divine timing, or something in between, life has always found a way to keep me moving forward.
Along the way, I’ve met people who—often without even realizing it—have given me gifts of knowledge, encouragement, or perspective that helped guide me toward who I am and what I want to do. These moments, big and small, have shaped my journey.
I’m deeply thankful for all the unexpected turning points that have placed me in the path of luck—and for the ability to recognize them when they show up.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @niz_interiors
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/sandra-niz-9591021ba
