In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Julia Au, co-founder and CEO of the nation’s first peel-and-stick temporary wallpaper brand and a true trailblazer in modern home décor. Julia shares the remarkable story of how she and her twin sister launched their business in 2008—long before peel-and-stick wallpaper became a trend—and how they grew it from a tiny self-funded startup into a national brand sold in Target stores across the country.

Julia opens up about the early days: hustling through multiple jobs, working alongside her production-designer aunt on NYC film sets, researching wallpaper history from their apartment floor, and the long nights spent building prototypes with no roadmap and no investors. She reveals the pivotal phone call that transformed their company overnight—a call that led to an 1,800-store rollout at Target and permanently changed the peel-and-stick industry.

We dive into the creative process behind reinventing wallpaper, why craftsmanship and domestic manufacturing matter, and how the company continues to lead with design, quality, and eco-friendly materials. Julia also shares her experience as a CEO, founder, and mom of two, discussing the mental load, discipline, and daily habits that help her run a thriving company while raising a family.

Whether you’re a designer, entrepreneur, DIY décor lover, or mom building a dream from scratch, Nicole’s story is a masterclass in innovation, resilience, and the power of belief.