From Interior Design to $40M in Multifamily—How Chelsea Garber Uses Design to Unlock Value

Episode Summary

In this episode of Groundbreakers, Chelsea Garber, CEO of Ascend Equity and ROI by Design, shares how she transitioned from a career in high-end interior design to managing a multifamily portfolio of over 430 units. Chelsea’s journey highlights the power of leveraging creativity, partnerships, and strategic design to scale in real estate investing.
She discusses the lessons learned from flipping houses, the challenges of breaking into multifamily, and how design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a key driver of tenant retention, rent growth, and asset value.

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Key Points Discussed

• From Design to Investing: Chelsea spent 15 years in residential and commercial design before making the leap into real estate. Her early experiences flipping houses taught her the fundamentals of deal structuring, risk management, and value creation.
• Scaling with Partnerships: Chelsea didn’t try to do it alone. She built strong relationships with experienced operators, allowing her to scale into larger multifamily projects while bringing a unique skill set to the table.
• The Overlooked Value of Design in Multifamily: Most investors focus on financial modeling and market fundamentals, but Chelsea explains why intentional design choices can directly impact NOI, tenant retention, and exit valuations.
• Lessons from House Flipping: While house flipping can be a great way to start, it doesn’t always translate to success in multifamily. Chelsea shares what she learned from the transition and how she approaches risk differently now.

Guest Information

• Name: Chelsea Garber
• Role: CEO at Ascend Equity & ROI by Design
• LinkedIn: Chelsea Garber
• Website: ROI by Design

Conclusion

Chelsea’s story is a testament to the fact that real estate investing isn’t just about numbers—it’s about vision, creativity, and the right partnerships. Her ability to blend design thinking with investment strategy has set her apart in the industry.

If you’re looking to scale in real estate, this episode offers valuable insights into the role of design, partnerships, and long-term thinking in building a successful investment portfolio.