Kendall Harris makes rugs by hand, but she is really making room for people to express themselves. The founder of Looped and Lavish, a custom rug tufting business, she turned a creative spark into a real operation, equipment, clients, and all, and she is only getting started.
Who are you, and what are you building?
"My name is Kendall Harris, and I'm the founder of Looped and Lavish, a custom rug tufting business that creates handmade rugs. I'm building more than just rugs. I want to build a business that helps people express themselves through art and décor."
What was the moment you decided to go for it?
"I've always wanted to own a business, but once I discovered rug tufting, something clicked. I saw how creative it was and realized there was so much room to make a change in the rug tufting industry. It took time, patience, dedication, and practice. I decided it was time to start learning and mastering the skill. I invested in the equipment, presented the business to my peers at school, and it was up from there."
"I'm building more than just rugs."
What does Metro Detroit mean to your work?
"Growing up in Metro Detroit has inspired me to be different and think big. There are so many talented, driven, and confident people here, and the city has a strong culture of entrepreneurship. The support that everyone shows each other is something I value the most."
What's something people get wrong about what you do?
"A lot of people think making rugs is quick or that it's just a hobby, but every rug takes hours of planning, designing, tracing, tufting, carving, trimming, and finishing by hand. There's also a lot that happens behind the scenes: marketing, customer service, pricing, ordering materials, and running the business. It's creative work, but it's also a real business that takes consistency and discipline."
"It's creative work, but it's also a real business that takes consistency and discipline."
What's next? What does the near future look like for you?
"Right now, I'm focused on growing Looped and Lavish by reaching more customers, creating new designs, and building a stronger online presence. I'm also preparing for vendor events and pitch competitions."
