Robin Jarvi shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Robin, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity all day.
You can lose everything—possessions, positions, even people.
They can try to defame your name or question your character.
But what no one can take from you is your integrity.
It’s the cornerstone of truth—the silent strength that doesn’t waver under pressure.
When everything else falls away, integrity remains.
Guard it. Live it. Let it speak for you.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Robin Jarvi, the founder and principal designer of Calyco Interior Designs—a woman-owned design and construction firm based in North Carolina. We specialize in transforming both residential and commercial spaces into functional, personalized environments that reflect our clients’ lifestyles and goals. What sets Calyco apart is our holistic approach: we offer everything from space planning and interior styling to full-scale renovations and general contracting under one roof.
My background in experiential marketing and graphic design taught me the power of storytelling through space, and that passion continues to drive our work. We believe great design doesn’t just look good—it serves a purpose, solves problems, and elevates the way people live and work.
At the heart of Calyco is a desire to make spaces not just beautiful—but meaningful. People are our focus.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I was living in Colorado when I got the opportunity to interview for a position in Birmingham, Alabama. With just $60 in my bank account, I took a leap of faith and hit the road—24 hours of driving, hope in my heart, and nothing but determination to guide me.
Halfway there, I ran out of gas in Little Rock, Arkansas. I didn’t want to beg—I wanted to earn my way. So I walked into a gas station and offered to sweep floors or do any odd job in exchange for fuel. The owner kindly let me clean up, and then pointed me down the street to another business.
When I arrived, a man handed me a $20 bill and said, “This is my last twenty. Just send it back when you get the job.”
I landed the job the very next day. Four weeks later, with my first paycheck in hand, I mailed him the $20 back—along with a handwritten letter of thanks.
He wrote me back in disbelief and told me that I had restored his faith in humanity.
That moment changed me.
I vowed from then on to always be a woman of my word—to lead with integrity
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Growing up, my life looked “put together” on the outside—church every Sunday, smiles for the world—but behind closed doors, it was a different reality. My childhood was marked by abuse, addiction, and deep loss. My mother was verbally and physically abusive, and my biological father died when I was just two. She later remarried, and in my teenage years, my stepfather took advantage of me in ways no child should ever experience.
As a teen, I witnessed loved ones spiral into addiction, and in high school, I faced one of the greatest heartbreaks of my life—the murder of my brother. Grief and trauma shaped my early adulthood, and by my twenties, I was using alcohol to numb the pain and escape the weight of my past.
But everything shifted one night when a friend took my keys to stop me from driving. In that quiet moment, I heard the Lord clearly say:
“You’re going to die if you keep doing what you’re doing.”
That was the beginning of my transformation.
I started seeking healing, healthy environments, and wholeness. I began releasing what I couldn’t control and allowed God to reach into the deepest, most broken parts of my heart. And in that space, He met me. He healed me. He gave me purpose.
Today, I live a life fueled by faith, integrity, and compassion—not just for others, but for the girl I once was. That story, my story, has shaped everything I do and how I show up in the world—with honesty, grit, and grace.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is family—and the belief that home should be a haven.
As a designer, I don’t just create beautiful spaces—I create safe spaces where families can thrive. The home is the foundation of a healthy society. When the family unit is strong, it nurtures individuals who bring peace and purpose into the world. But when the home is chaotic or dysfunctional, that disruption often follows people into every space they enter.
I take my role seriously. Whether I’m helping couples find common ground in a design, or creating an environment where children feel secure and seen, I’m not just designing for today—I’m helping shape the memories, healing, and legacy that will last a lifetime. It’s an honor to be a part of that.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
We started ChompBox as a snack hub company for our autistic son—not just as a business, but as a pathway to independence. It’s more than vending machines or snacks; it’s about giving him the opportunity to have meaningful work, earn a small income, and build a sense of purpose.
The return may be slow, but the gain is long term.
ChompBox is an investment in his future, his dignity, and his livelihood.
And as a parent, that means everything to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.calycointerior.com
- Instagram: Calyco Interior Designs
- Linkedin: Robin Jarvi
- Facebook: Calyco Interior Designs
- Yelp: Calyco Interior Designs
Image Credits
Abigail Jackson Photography
Cat Wilborne Photography
