May 14, 2025 • 31 mins
From Global Design Icon to Supermom: Meet Kellie Sirna.
She’s transforming spaces around the world — from luxury hotels to jaw-dropping venues with actual hunting simulators — and now she’s bringing her brilliance to Let’s Talk Local. Kellie Sirna is more than a powerhouse designer; she’s also a fearless entrepreneur and single mom of two, balancing creativity, business, and motherhood with style and grit.
In this episode, Kellie shares exclusive details on her bold new projects (including her own product line 👀), how she built a globally recognized brand from the ground up, and the real story behind juggling it all. Whether you’re into design, business, or just love a story that inspires, this one’s a must-listen.
Bold vision. Big dreams. Beautiful spaces. Don’t miss this one!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (00:00):
Hey, y'all. I'm Sarah Zubiate
(00:01):
Bennett, and I'm so happy you'rehere for this episode of Let's
Talk Local. We've got a superfun one today because I'm
hanging out with my amazingfriend and total design rock
star, Kellie Sirna. Kellie'ssharing the scoop on some of her
biggest and most stunningprojects around DFW, Like the
brand new Bob's Steak andChophouse in McKinney, the ultra
cool Fountain Place Club inDallas, and the fabulous Firefly
(00:22):
Park in Frisco. Trust me, you'regonna wanna hear all about them.
And beyond her design magic,Kellie is also one of the most
incredible moms I know. So, ofcourse, we're gonna chat about
that side of her life too.Honestly, this just might go
down as one of my favoriteepisodes and I hope you love it
just as much. If you do, don'tforget to like, subscribe, and
(00:42):
stick around for more greatconvos.
Kellie Sirna, you are a freakingicon.
You're my friend. You're Monty'sfriend. You've been in our lives
for a while, his much, muchlonger. And the fact that you're
(01:03):
here is it's just thrilling tome. I'm pumped.
Kellie Sirna (01:09):
Thank you for inviting me.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (01:10):
Of course, of course. You're a
member of YPO. You're now on theboard of Braemar, which is a
publicly traded company withsome of the most extravagant,
gorgeous properties. You startedyour business from nothing.
You've been featured on thecover of D Magazine. Just tell
(01:30):
me a little bit about how yougot started, but how you've
really built this empire thatyou've been so successful doing.
Kellie Sirna (01:42):
I'll start by saying I started Studio 11
fourteen years ago. It's nowthree companies, so it's the ID
component of the firm, brandingand art services, which you guys
know. I know we've done a littlebit of artwork for you guys here
and there. And I started withthe goal to started with the
(02:02):
goal to hit six figures. I waslike, okay. If I can, and my
boys were one and three, and Iwas a recent single mom. So I
thought if I could get three tofive designers and you know
build this thing to kind of havemore flexibility with the boys,
which jokes on me now. Yes. Wewere just talking offline how
I'm how much I'm traveling.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (02:22):
Yep.
Kellie Sirna (02:22):
And it's just kind of taken off. And I really
attribute that to all of thementors I have, Monty being one
of them. Like running things bythem and seeing how they run
business and real estate and andit's been incredible. I don't
think I would have ever had theopportunity to grow the way I
have had it not been thehospitality industry and all
(02:42):
these mentors that I've had. Sonow we're just under 50
designers, architects, arts,creative directors, and brand
strategists.
In four different cities.Offices. But then we have some
remote in South America, Mexico.So we're all over now, which is
really exciting. We're reallyworking to build Incala. Oh.
(03:05):
Yeah. It's been yeah. CentralAmerica, Latin America. But
yeah, it's it's been justincredible. And I every new
goal, it's is something that Ididn't know would even be a
goal, would even be an optionfourteen years ago when I
started.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (03:21):
And from fourteen years to now, so tell
me just a little bit about therespective parts of your
business, the three differentparts. I'm especially interested
in the art curation.
Kellie Sirna (03:30):
Sure. So started Studio 11, and I started all
over. So I was in lifestyleluxury before. And when I
started Studio 11, I got like astandards book for like a select
service hotel. And I just said,if I can stay within the budget,
would you let me kind of likejudge it up? My designer heart
was really sad that they'dalready picked like every piece
(03:51):
of furniture. And so we ended upgetting Spring Hill Suites of
the Year, which was veryexciting. And then took off and
did a resort in Haiti, whichreally kind of initially put us
on the map. Like, who's crazyenough to go to Haiti and build
a resort? And that's where kindof art came in, because I I
realized we work so amazing withthese third party art vendors in
(04:14):
production now. But at the time,they weren't telling our story.
So we work really hard in thedesign process to create a
narrative. And then thatnarrative is really told through
art and styling.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (04:25):
Mhmm.
Kellie Sirna (04:25):
And so we brought in full time artists and an art
director, and we, depending onthe region, we work really hard
to tell the story of not justlike if it's Nashville, it's not
guitars on a wall. It's trulytelling the story of the Gulch,
for instance. That's right.Finding and sourcing local
artists. And it's, you know,we've it's not a my CFO calls it
(04:48):
my nonprofit, which is funny notfunny. But it really elevates
our projects and tells the storyfor our asset.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (04:55):
I love that. Art curation is one of my
favorite things to read Isn'tit? It's just I could sit there
all day with a cup of coffee orsomething just reading about it.
What do you believefundamentally I have some ideas
that I'm going to share. Butwhat do you believe has really
helped set you apart from all ofthe other firms out there? Don't
(05:24):
sell yourself short.
Kellie Sirna (05:32):
I think I have a different hustle. I think
growing up in the Midwest, Ithink starting as a single mom,
it was really survival for me.And in addition, I'm a
chameleon. So I loverelationships. Don't call it
business development, because itjust really isn't for me. I
really love the people I workwith. I love getting to know
(05:55):
clients. I know their families.I know their kids. And I love
connecting people, and not withthe intent that it's like I'm
expecting something, but itusually comes back. I find what
people need, and I try and bethe connector. And so I host
dinners, and events, and thingswhere I'm really intentional
about that guest list. So iflike a Monty was going to join a
(06:18):
dinner, I'm making sure thatthere are people that are going
to bring value to him at thatdinner.
And I think that's been a littlebit of a secret sauce for me.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (06:27):
I understand. I do the same.
Kellie Sirna (06:29):
Yeah. And it's just so You're amazing at that.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (06:31):
No, but as are you. But now talk to me a
little bit about some of thelocal projects in the DFW area
that you can. I've heard thatyou're doing Fountain Place. Or
you've done it?
Kellie Sirna (06:42):
We just installed Fountain Place within the last
few months. So the finishingtouches and starting is going...
Sarah Zubiate Bennett: OK! So talk to us a little bit (06:48):
undefined
about it. I mean, let's delveinto it. I want to hear about
the pickleball space, theprivate club, all the things.
Kellie Sirna (06:56):
So this was a large commercial owner,
international commercial owner.And obviously, office buildings
were taking a bit of a hit. Andso they're trying to find ways
to incentivize their tenants.And so they were talking about
an outdoor pickleball court.They had this really great space
adjacent to the Fountain PlaceBuilding. And it's just across
(07:19):
the really beautiful fountainsthat are kind of running through
there. And so we did an indoorpickleball court. We did a small
spa changing facility. We did afood and beverage area, and then
we have a hunting simulator anda golf simulator.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (07:35):
Oh. A hunting simulator?
Kellie Sirna (07:38):
Yes because only in Texas.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (07:39):
Oh my gosh. That's hilarious. I'm
ready to We will have to go. Soit was my first hunting
simulator, and my first golfsimulator. And so we're
designing this room around thehunting, you know, this Yeah.
Like hunting screen, and itturned out really fun and really
beautiful. We worked withownership and styled and kind of
did a couple of found pieces.And and then the pickleball
(08:03):
court is really interesting. Youknow, in that process, we like
to talk a lot about flex spaces.Yep. And for me, and this is why
I think I love hospitality somuch. I love figuring out how to
generate revenue and program.Yep. And you just can't do that
as much at all in residential.So, with this pickleball court,
(08:24):
I was like, what is this gonnabe at night? What is this gonna
be on a Saturday night at eightAnd so, we did a really
beautiful wood floor, but withbrass inlaid. You know, the
court is actually brass inlaidmaterial. Oh. The net pulls up
and can kind of go away.
Kellie Sirna (08:40):
Uh-huh. We have like the little watching
communal table. Can turn likewhere shaving dishes can be on,
and it can be a really beautifulvenue for a space. For tenants.
Tenants can rent this forwhatever, host a huge meeting,
or a party, or reception. And sowe were really excited about
that being an extra incentivefor the tenants, but not taking
(09:01):
up more real estate. It's reallybeautiful. Love it.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (09:03):
I love it. And so over kind of the
holidays, a bunch of us went tothe Ritz in Tahoe. And I don't
know if you've seen thatproperty recently. The two at
the bottom are golfingsimulators, football.
Kellie Sirna (09:21):
I haven't seen this.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (09:22):
Oh my goodness. And it was so much
fun. Okay, so this cool huntingsimulator, I'm stoked.
Kellie Sirna (09:28):
Yeah. I'm like, what? I've done a hunting
simulator.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (09:32):
Yeah. Are you kidding me?
Kellie Sirna (09:33):
We'll have to try it out.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (09:34):
We have to. So when is it open? When can
people start using it?
Kellie Sirna (09:37):
It's open now. So I've gotten a couple of messages
from some YPO friends andfriends in the city that have
gone to lunch there. I'mactually planning to host a
couple of events there just sopeople can kind of see it.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (09:49):
Just Uh-huh.
Kellie Sirna (09:50):
To kind of get it kick started for ownership. So I
wanted to do a YPO event thereYes. Because that would be a
great Of tenant. Yes. And it'sjust a fun, little private club
in the city.
Think everybody will go to seeOkay,
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (10:01):
So do you know anything about the price
point? Anything about peoplethat they're trying to...
Kellie Sirna (10:06):
It's really more I don't know the specifics, but my
understanding because I kepttrying to find new ways to
generate revenue, they werelike, Kellie, once again this is
a gift to the tenants. I'm like,however, we could rent it out.
You could have a minimum. Andthey're like, Kellie, my money
making brain.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (10:20):
Same. Yeah. Okay, so back to the
spaces here in the DFW area. SoBob's, Talk to me about this
Bob's in McKinney.
Kellie Sirna (10:30):
So Bob's Sambol, he's an icon in this city. And
we all know Bob's on Lemmon.It's a thing. It's just like the
best. The best he's the bestbecause he's always there. Yes.
Yes. I always felt like a VIPuntil I realized later, Bob has
a way of making everyone feellike a VIP. So I was approached
with their project in McKinney.Bob and Dave Johnson Uh-huh.
(10:53):
Previously owned Enbridge, andalso a good friend and mentor.
Mhmm. And I was ecstatic. Andso, you know, Dave really wanted
like a Bob's an elevated, youknow you know, bougier Bob's.
Yeah. And so, we have since doneBob's in McKinney, but there's a
cigar room element to it. Andit's a really sexy cool cigar
(11:15):
room. This is amazing. Has oneof Bob's
Sarah Zubiate Bennett: You know I love cigars. (11:17):
undefined
Kellie Sirna (11:18):
I didn't know this.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (11:19):
I love cigars. Know I have a whole You
have Yeah. Like I have a wholeset up at the ranch at the
screened in porch. Yes. Back toBob. So talk to me about how
this one's going be boojier,cigar club, all the things.
Kellie Sirna (11:31):
So it's been open and it's kind of picking up.
It's right off 121, and there'sa whole mixed use development
that David Craig and DavidJohnson and those guys are
doing. Mhmm. It is beautiful andamazing. I've hosted a few
dinners. It's a little bit of adisconnect from where I live in
my office downtown. Uh-huh. But,you know, I've loved kind of
going and Yeah. It's always it'sthat carrot. And the pickles, oh
(11:53):
my gosh. Now I'm getting hungry.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (11:54):
Oh my gosh, yes.
Kellie Sirna (11:55):
He's just incredible. He's just created
like an unbelievable brand. Imean, there's a million steak
houses in Dallas.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (12:02):
That's right.
Kellie Sirna (12:03):
And Bob's has just he's managed to be just
incredible and relevant.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (12:08):
And so And it's beautiful. Okay. So
then this other place, theFirefly Park in Frisco? Yes.
Tell me,
Kellie Sirna (12:15):
So we're building the Wilkes family's first hotel.
It's a dream hotel in Frisco. Wejust completed the schematic
design concept last this week,actually. And it is I cannot
wait to bring this to theMetroplex. It is incredible.
Really? It's really beautiful.It's a destination. I mean, even
(12:36):
the meeting spaces, and youknow, I don't know how much I
can talk about, but even themeeting spaces are a
destination. Because you have alot of really beautiful hotels
there with the Omni and HallArts, you know with Craig and a
lot of these hotels. But this isso dynamic and it's just the
dream brand is unique in and ofitself.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett: Oh, I cannot wait to see (12:55):
undefined
Kellie Sirna (12:56):
It's incredible. We're looking at the end of next
year. And yeah, we're off intorenderings now. But as a
designer, and I was talkingabout this to someone yesterday,
it's like when we walk throughan actual space, it's really
(13:17):
just a formality. And I'vewalked to this space for like
two years in my head. So Ialready have this space in my
head. And we're just in SD. Soit's been a really fun project.
We're working with Boca Powellon that. Oh. Okay. It's been
great. Has a commercialcomponent, an office component
as well. So they are doing thataspect of it, and then working
(13:38):
with us on interiors.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (13:40):
Okay. Perfect. So I'm going to pivot
slightly. Because I don'tbelieve that the show would be
complete without mentioning alittle bit of this. I think very
few people that I've everinterviewed have successfully
been able to really marry anexcellent career, be a single
(14:02):
mother, and have two exceptionalmen, like young men.
They're wonderful, I get tearyeyed. Because that I believe is
your greatest...
Kellie Sirna (14:16):
By far. They're wonderful. And anyone that knows
me knows that is without ashadow of a doubt like my
happiest place and the thing I'mmost proud of are my two boys.
I feel I've never had a momentwhere I don't feel so I'm like,
how did I get to be a mom? Yeah.And how did I get to be a mom of
these two? And they're They'reexceptional. They're like my
(14:37):
favorite roommates.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (14:38):
Well, is exactly I mean, at least my
kids, I'm like, they're myfavorite. Are people that I
can't wait to continue to hangout with because they're really
funny. So let me ask you, howhave you been able to balance
it? I know how tough it is. Yourquality time with them. How have
(15:01):
you done it?
Kellie Sirna (15:03):
So I think because I have to share them with their
dad. Say have to. That's part ofOf of course. He's amazing.
I have one of the best coparent. You might have the
second Yeah, We co parent, we'rein the same neighborhood. And I
think that is key. It's huge.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett: It's critical. It's huge. (15:22):
undefined
Kellie Sirna (15:24):
Yes. So our agreement is really that I give
David, their dad, just theschedule of my travel. And I can
work around the conferences andthe developers. I work around
all my trips, and I don't miss asingle moment of my time raising
my boys. And so I feel blessedbecause I never would have built
(15:46):
a company like this. Yeah. Hadit been like every other Tuesday
or week on, week I could havenever built a company. Yes. And
so I attribute it to a lot totheir dad. And every time anyone
asks me, I give him creditbecause we he works with me in
that regard. He even takes thedog. Everything around them, any
of their events, their sports,their organization. I know the
(16:08):
countdown, especially withGraham turning 16. So the boys
are 14, 16. Yep. And especiallywith Graham turning 16, every
second that I can have withthem, that's where my happiest
place is. That's my hobby.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (16:21):
Talk to me about your boys' interests
professionally, and how theirfutures might be molded and have
been influenced based on you.
Kellie Sirna: It's funny you bring this up, (16:33):
undefined
because you know I've alwaysworried. Their dad has a more
flexible schedule, and he'sthere. He can be there in the
day to pick him up. Again, it'smore of a blessing than it is
Sure. Course. My biggest flex.Yes. However, I have one and I
think when you were talkingabout Liliana and dyslexia, my
son's dyslexic. And I he was theone I was so worried about. But
(16:55):
Reid is an organic entrepreneur.Yeah. He has started four
companies. He has more moneythan all of us. I never know
how. I love it. He started apower washing company. The other
day he was just on my computer.He's like, oh, I'm becoming an
Amazon affiliate. And I waslike, how do you do that? And I
mean, I remember we were inMajorca. We were sitting on a
(17:15):
patio, and all these big hugeboats around and we're having
dinner watching all the big hugeboats. And he's like, can I
borrow your phone? And he got onFacebook marketplace and made
like $300 while we're sitting inMajorca on selling little sage
bundles that we had found onlinefor a dollar. Don't ask me why I
bought 100 sage bundles. It'd belike like 03:00 in the morning.
(17:37):
But like Oh my gosh. He madelike $300 just sitting there and
then Graham leans over and he'slike, hey we're business
partners fifty fifty. After Reidlike did all of this. But on the
flip side of that, and and Ialways worried like that the
boys you know would be like,work too much or do this. But
they have they love and respectand they're like, they almost
they're like, we're not worriedabout you because you're tough.
(17:59):
Like they see me have to betough in business. They see me
getting yelled at on calls.That's right. It's upsetting for
them. Still they have thatlittle protective kind of
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (18:09):
You're like that's what makes me.
Kellie Sirna (18:10):
Yes. I'm like
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (18:11):
That's what makes me who
Kellie Sirna (18:12):
I It's just necessary. That's right. But
just last week Mhmm. I wastalking to Graham. He was
getting to this Amazon affiliatething where they'll probably
make like $11. And I was like,I'm so excited to see that
you're interested inentrepreneurship too. Like
anything like that will, youknow, supports that, I'm in.
Yeah. And he goes, oh no no. Idon't want to be an
(18:33):
entrepreneur. And I was like,what do you mean? And he's like,
well I just see how hard youwork and how hard it is. And I'm
like, sir. I was like, thisbackfired in a huge way. So it
was interesting that hisperspective is like, I'd rather
work for someone and be like,you know, at the end of the day.
h So and the boys are requiredlike this summer, they need to
either start a company or a nonprofit. I just I think, you
(18:55):
know, we've talked a little bitabout philanthropy, but I think
they need to know how to run abusiness. Totally. Or how to run
a philanthropy, and all the insand outs of those things.
And I also think, you know,college is getting so much more
competitive. It's like, what areyou doing that's different aside
from getting a four point o?Amen. Right? So it's funny you
asked that because I just justthis last week I was like, oh
no. This backfired. And it takesthose people, you know, Greer,
(19:19):
May, my associate principallaughs because I'm always like,
here. You want a piece of this?You want the keys? And she's
like, I don't want to own this.I don't want anything to do with
it. I've you know, I'm here withyou Uh-huh. Till the end, but
like I'm not she's like, shedoesn't want to be an
entrepreneur. She doesn't wantto own it. She is an incredible
wingman. Yeah. And and I'm like,you're a genius. Like you know
(19:40):
she can ride the wave a littlebit easier. Mean it's you know
she goes through all those hardtimes with me, but she's like
I'm not an entrepreneur. I don'twant to do that.
Mhmm. And so I see Graham maybebeing like that incredible
wingman. I see Reid eitherrunning 50 companies or a
prison, and I'm not sure whowins yet. We're still on the
cusp, and no. He's you know,it's like really good.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (20:02):
But it's terrific. Because if he has that
fight in him, and you'requestioning if he can run a
prison, people used to say thatabout me, it's Okay.
Kellie Sirna (20:10):
Same girl. I had the little shiny male version of
myself. Yeah. I thought it wasin the clear when my mom kept
saying, you're going to have adaughter just like you. And I
was like, I had two boys, andnow I'm like, I had the boy
version of me.
His negotiation skills. He wasnegotiating because he lost
games in his in his phone theother day. I came I was in a
dinner in Chicago and I cameback to the table after Reid had
(20:31):
been negotiating. And I'm like,and then he said this, and
everybody at the table wassilent and looked at me and they
go, that's you. And I'm like, ohmy gosh. It is me. I'm in such
trouble.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (20:42):
It's the truth. Louis can push my buttons
more than anyone. And Monty'slike, guess why. Yeah, exactly.
He's you. But I don't know. Atthis point, I just think it's
beautiful. Yeah. You are ahospitality, primarily,
designer. What are some of yourmost iconic and magnificent
(21:04):
properties that you've workedon?
Kellie Sirna (21:08):
It's funny. I have different properties I'm proud
of for different reasons.Uh-huh. Nothing this is not the
most iconic project, but myproject in Haiti, to me was an
incredibly pivotal time of mycareer. Yep. In a time where in
a place that has so much sadnessand poverty
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (21:25):
Yep.
Kellie Sirna (21:25):
I was able to create something beautiful. And
to the point where I was goingdown in a bulletproof armored
vehicle with armed guards to goto Croix Du Bouquet to work with
the artist. And every piece ofart in that hotel was made from
a local artist. And to see howincredibly resourceful they are
with absolutely nothing. Uh-huh.
(21:45):
The art the hotel has recycledtires. T shirts that were
donated that were dyed and wovenand made. I mean, you name it,
and just like things therecycled oil barrels, and then
they're finding forks and thingsand Uh-huh. Making beautiful
masks. Yep. And so, I think thatproject, it wasn't the fanciest.
(22:06):
But it was it was a project thatnothing will ever touch that. I
got to meet the people. Did awhole huge column of
photography. And we explained toa group of of students,
photography students that didn'tever have their own cameras.
Yep. A lot of these kids, someof them haven't even like had a
mirror to see themselves. Mhmm.We said, go show the world the
(22:29):
beautifulness. Like, you know,everybody shows the sadness of
Haiti. Go show them beautiful.And we bust them all in, and
they I get it's I get goosebumpson my head every single time I
think about this. Because I'mright there like now. They all
came in and they were tears juststreaming down their face. As
they found on this wall of like500 pieces of photography, they
(22:51):
found on this wall theirphotograph, their the pride that
they But then you know whenyou're talking about operations,
know I'm going off a little bit.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (22:59):
No no.
Kellie Sirna (22:59):
But like there was somebody in housekeeping. And
she just went home and you know,hosed her home down, you know,
and that's how she cleaned it.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (23:07):
Uh-huh.
Kellie Sirna (23:07):
So she goes in her bathroom, know, the guest bath,
and takes a hose and or not ahose, but somehow got water and
just took like the water andwatered down the whole bathroom.
So everything's shorting out. Weflooded the Second Floor. But I
mean like they had like a bighuge rice and bean thing and a
woman's whole job was to sitthere and people are taking
(23:29):
their rice and beans, putting itunder a napkin over it to take
it home and share with theirfamilies. And there will be
nothing I don't think that Iwill ever experience to my
beautiful Thompson Hotels orsome of these incredible
projects that I've been soblessed to be a part of that
will be as beautiful as that.It's so special.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (23:47):
And then what a unique industry. I didn't
even know about your industrywhen I was being raised in El
Paso. I think I found out whatinterior design was after I
graduated college.
Kellie Sirna (24:01):
Oh, well same. I don't know if you know that. No.
This was my second degree. So Iwent international business in
Spanish, and I got out and Iinterned for an Italian company.
And I was like, I will shrivelup and die behind a cubicle. I
cannot I grew up very ADD. And Ido feel like that is my
superpower. If you are in a lifeplace I love that. Yep. But
(24:23):
truly, I mean it's my socialeverything I was in trouble in
for school. The talking, thesocializing, like everything.
It's your superpower. I gotmediocre grades because I never
I never fit in that box.
And understandably, teachershave to put you in a box in
order to survive all these kids.Sure. But I I never fit in it. I
was always even my art class.Know, she'd like, do this.
(24:45):
Here's what the end resultshould look like. And I'm like,
I want to do this. And I canlike make it look so much
cooler. I would get zero on theproject. Stubborn for sure. But
like Yeah. It is that dyslexiaand ADD and all those things, I
really look at if you're doingwhat you love and what you're
meant to do, it's I think sodifferent from everyone else.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (25:04):
Yep. But that different thinking is your
strength.
Kellie Sirna (25:08):
That's strategy.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (25:09):
And I just really hope that more
people just just try to embracethat because everyone wants
their kid to be the straight A,perfect this, blah blah blah,
right? And I'm like, it's nottheir destiny. What type of mark
would you like to leave on theyouth? And how will you go about
(25:31):
doing that? Because I know thatyou're engaged civically.
Kellie Sirna (25:35):
It's one of, I think, the things I'm most
excited about, about being anowner. And when I hear young
designers, or young women, ormen, or whatever, I get so
passionate. I want to build amillion different things. And
I'm 250 miles down the road, andmy team's like, slow your roll
for just a minute. Like, I havea million ideas. And like, you
(25:58):
know, capital raising. Eventhings like that. It's just it's
I love building other people'scareers. So when someone comes
to me and asks me about, youknow, entrepreneurship or design
or something, both of which I'mequally as passionate about, I
love being a mentor. And I loveadvocating for them.
And we just touched on it, buteven disabilities. I felt stupid
(26:22):
my whole life. I felt like Ididn't Really? I just felt like
I couldn't quite grasp, like Ihad this not foggy brain, but
like I was just not a greatstudent. And I Okay. Okay. But I
also think it really developedin me. I worked 10 times harder.
So all my roommates andgirlfriends
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (26:41):
That's right.
Kellie Sirna (26:41):
Were raging. And would I would be studying all
night Uh-huh. And they wouldcome in at 03:00 in the morning
hammered hair everywhere.
And they'd get up the nextmorning, they'd have like the
club stamp on their face wherethey'd pat and like p j pants,
and they'd go in and make an a,and I'd make like a maybe a high
b. Yeah. And I was sofrustrated. But that hustle that
I had, that hard work, as soonas I got done with both degrees,
(27:02):
internship, full time, all thesethings, and I started my first
job, I was like blowing pastthings because working hard was
just natural for me. I'm like,wait, I don't have to be up till
3AM in addition to this job?Like, this is incredible. Yep.
And so I want, and I think it'swhat I love about Shelton too
Yeah. Is I want the youth toknow, use your disabilities as a
(27:26):
superpower. Yep. And know thatthat can be your biggest flex if
you embrace it and figure outhow to use it best. That's
right. And then, yeah. Justmentoring overall, and all those
different little areas.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (27:39):
Whenever you came to the ranch, and I was
like, my god Kelly, I'mredesigning the kitchen, blah,
blah, And then I showed you allthe Kyle Bunting pieces and all
the different things on thewall. So are you going to have
any kind of anything coming outsoon?
Kellie Sirna (27:56):
Product line? So yesterday, in my stories in the
go and I would love for you tocomment. Because I don't think
people understood until I put itin a story, this is my very
first product line. So it'shappening.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (28:09):
Oh, it's happening. Oh, god. Okay, let's
just talk about it reallyquickly. Yeah. Okay, so Well
Talk.
Go, go, go.
Kellie Sirna (28:14):
So I just launched with Tarkett, which is a
hospitality carpet line. Yeah.So guest room, public space.
This is my very first productline. And I am like over the
moon Of and so excited.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (28:27):
Of course.
Kellie Sirna (28:27):
It's called Wild Runway, and so the designs are
very fashion you will love it. Iyou specifically. It's very
fashion inspired, Parrot'srunway. Yep. But then with this
kind of animal print, but donein a more organic or abstract
way. Oh. So we had designed thisguest room carpet for the Dream
(28:51):
Hotel project, and I'm like, ohmy god, this is it's got to be
Wild Runway. And I did thisbeautiful plaid, I'm just I'm so
excited. And second of all, likeKyle Bunting is a very good
friend, as you know. Yes. Andyou met him at the ranch. Yes.
And he's just unbelievablytalented, and what he provides
is so unique in the Agreed. Andso we are also working on
(29:13):
something really fun together.We had a first run, Kyle's
really pushing me.
We had a first run and I waslike, I love this. And he's
like, this doesn't have thedepth of Kellie Sirna. This has
to go deeper. And I'm like,okay. So but he's pushing me
creatively.
And so we're supposed to kind ofget together. But I'd done this
(29:35):
line for him called the Facetline. Okay. Have to see a photo.
It's really these beautifulorganic shaped emeralds.
So I did an emerald, which ofcourse you will love.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (29:45):
Of course, yes.
Kellie Sirna (29:45):
But it's an emerald cut rug, and it's all
the different facets and all thedifferent greens. And I loved
that you could order your kindof birthstone, or the stone that
means you could even do adiamond. But all the colors are
like pinks and blues in thediamond because that's what the
facet would look like. So allyou have to see the emerald I
did full size. You're gonnayou're gonna love it.
(30:07):
You're gonna love it. So we'regonna do lunch. Okay. But I
think we should, if I can getyou guys down there. I think we
should do it next door at theNational, which would be an
incredible place for you to see.I can't you are going to love
(30:30):
it. You're gonna love it.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (30:33):
But I would love to do some type of
panel, you know that have awhole bunch of kids just to
listen to stories from peoplelike you. Just different types
of personalities. But I believethat collection of personal
experience should never bediscredited but should be
(30:54):
applauded. Yep. So thank you forbeing here Kellie.
Kellie Sirna (30:58):
I loved it. Yes. So much fun.
Hey, y'all. I'm Sarah Zubiate
(00:01):
Bennett, and I'm so happy you'rehere for this episode of Let's
Talk Local. We've got a superfun one today because I'm
hanging out with my amazingfriend and total design rock
star, Kellie Sirna. Kellie'ssharing the scoop on some of her
biggest and most stunningprojects around DFW, Like the
brand new Bob's Steak andChophouse in McKinney, the ultra
cool Fountain Place Club inDallas, and the fabulous Firefly
(00:22):
Park in Frisco. Trust me, you'regonna wanna hear all about them.
And beyond her design magic,Kellie is also one of the most
incredible moms I know. So, ofcourse, we're gonna chat about
that side of her life too.Honestly, this just might go
down as one of my favoriteepisodes and I hope you love it
just as much. If you do, don'tforget to like, subscribe, and
(00:42):
stick around for more greatconvos.
Kellie Sirna, you are a freakingicon.
You're my friend. You're Monty'sfriend. You've been in our lives
for a while, his much, muchlonger. And the fact that you're
(01:03):
here is it's just thrilling tome. I'm pumped.
Kellie Sirna (01:09):
Thank you for inviting me.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (01:10):
Of course, of course. You're a
member of YPO. You're now on theboard of Braemar, which is a
publicly traded company withsome of the most extravagant,
gorgeous properties. You startedyour business from nothing.
You've been featured on thecover of D Magazine. Just tell
(01:30):
me a little bit about how yougot started, but how you've
really built this empire thatyou've been so successful doing.
Kellie Sirna (01:42):
I'll start by saying I started Studio 11
fourteen years ago. It's nowthree companies, so it's the ID
component of the firm, brandingand art services, which you guys
know. I know we've done a littlebit of artwork for you guys here
and there. And I started withthe goal to started with the
(02:02):
goal to hit six figures. I waslike, okay. If I can, and my
boys were one and three, and Iwas a recent single mom. So I
thought if I could get three tofive designers and you know
build this thing to kind of havemore flexibility with the boys,
which jokes on me now. Yes. Wewere just talking offline how
I'm how much I'm traveling.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (02:22):
Yep.
Kellie Sirna (02:22):
And it's just kind of taken off. And I really
attribute that to all of thementors I have, Monty being one
of them. Like running things bythem and seeing how they run
business and real estate and andit's been incredible. I don't
think I would have ever had theopportunity to grow the way I
have had it not been thehospitality industry and all
(02:42):
these mentors that I've had. Sonow we're just under 50
designers, architects, arts,creative directors, and brand
strategists.
In four different cities.Offices. But then we have some
remote in South America, Mexico.So we're all over now, which is
really exciting. We're reallyworking to build Incala. Oh.
(03:05):
Yeah. It's been yeah. CentralAmerica, Latin America. But
yeah, it's it's been justincredible. And I every new
goal, it's is something that Ididn't know would even be a
goal, would even be an optionfourteen years ago when I
started.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (03:21):
And from fourteen years to now, so tell
me just a little bit about therespective parts of your
business, the three differentparts. I'm especially interested
in the art curation.
Kellie Sirna (03:30):
Sure. So started Studio 11, and I started all
over. So I was in lifestyleluxury before. And when I
started Studio 11, I got like astandards book for like a select
service hotel. And I just said,if I can stay within the budget,
would you let me kind of likejudge it up? My designer heart
was really sad that they'dalready picked like every piece
(03:51):
of furniture. And so we ended upgetting Spring Hill Suites of
the Year, which was veryexciting. And then took off and
did a resort in Haiti, whichreally kind of initially put us
on the map. Like, who's crazyenough to go to Haiti and build
a resort? And that's where kindof art came in, because I I
realized we work so amazing withthese third party art vendors in
(04:14):
production now. But at the time,they weren't telling our story.
So we work really hard in thedesign process to create a
narrative. And then thatnarrative is really told through
art and styling.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (04:25):
Mhmm.
Kellie Sirna (04:25):
And so we brought in full time artists and an art
director, and we, depending onthe region, we work really hard
to tell the story of not justlike if it's Nashville, it's not
guitars on a wall. It's trulytelling the story of the Gulch,
for instance. That's right.Finding and sourcing local
artists. And it's, you know,we've it's not a my CFO calls it
(04:48):
my nonprofit, which is funny notfunny. But it really elevates
our projects and tells the storyfor our asset.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (04:55):
I love that. Art curation is one of my
favorite things to read Isn'tit? It's just I could sit there
all day with a cup of coffee orsomething just reading about it.
What do you believefundamentally I have some ideas
that I'm going to share. Butwhat do you believe has really
helped set you apart from all ofthe other firms out there? Don't
(05:24):
sell yourself short.
Kellie Sirna (05:32):
I think I have a different hustle. I think
growing up in the Midwest, Ithink starting as a single mom,
it was really survival for me.And in addition, I'm a
chameleon. So I loverelationships. Don't call it
business development, because itjust really isn't for me. I
really love the people I workwith. I love getting to know
(05:55):
clients. I know their families.I know their kids. And I love
connecting people, and not withthe intent that it's like I'm
expecting something, but itusually comes back. I find what
people need, and I try and bethe connector. And so I host
dinners, and events, and thingswhere I'm really intentional
about that guest list. So iflike a Monty was going to join a
(06:18):
dinner, I'm making sure thatthere are people that are going
to bring value to him at thatdinner.
And I think that's been a littlebit of a secret sauce for me.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (06:27):
I understand. I do the same.
Kellie Sirna (06:29):
Yeah. And it's just so You're amazing at that.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (06:31):
No, but as are you. But now talk to me a
little bit about some of thelocal projects in the DFW area
that you can. I've heard thatyou're doing Fountain Place. Or
you've done it?
Kellie Sirna (06:42):
We just installed Fountain Place within the last
few months. So the finishingtouches and starting is going...
Sarah Zubiate Bennett: OK! So talk to us a little bit (06:48):
undefined
about it. I mean, let's delveinto it. I want to hear about
the pickleball space, theprivate club, all the things.
Kellie Sirna (06:56):
So this was a large commercial owner,
international commercial owner.And obviously, office buildings
were taking a bit of a hit. Andso they're trying to find ways
to incentivize their tenants.And so they were talking about
an outdoor pickleball court.They had this really great space
adjacent to the Fountain PlaceBuilding. And it's just across
(07:19):
the really beautiful fountainsthat are kind of running through
there. And so we did an indoorpickleball court. We did a small
spa changing facility. We did afood and beverage area, and then
we have a hunting simulator anda golf simulator.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (07:35):
Oh. A hunting simulator?
Kellie Sirna (07:38):
Yes because only in Texas.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (07:39):
Oh my gosh. That's hilarious. I'm
ready to We will have to go. Soit was my first hunting
simulator, and my first golfsimulator. And so we're
designing this room around thehunting, you know, this Yeah.
Like hunting screen, and itturned out really fun and really
beautiful. We worked withownership and styled and kind of
did a couple of found pieces.And and then the pickleball
(08:03):
court is really interesting. Youknow, in that process, we like
to talk a lot about flex spaces.Yep. And for me, and this is why
I think I love hospitality somuch. I love figuring out how to
generate revenue and program.Yep. And you just can't do that
as much at all in residential.So, with this pickleball court,
(08:24):
I was like, what is this gonnabe at night? What is this gonna
be on a Saturday night at eightAnd so, we did a really
beautiful wood floor, but withbrass inlaid. You know, the
court is actually brass inlaidmaterial. Oh. The net pulls up
and can kind of go away.
Kellie Sirna (08:40):
Uh-huh. We have like the little watching
communal table. Can turn likewhere shaving dishes can be on,
and it can be a really beautifulvenue for a space. For tenants.
Tenants can rent this forwhatever, host a huge meeting,
or a party, or reception. And sowe were really excited about
that being an extra incentivefor the tenants, but not taking
(09:01):
up more real estate. It's reallybeautiful. Love it.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (09:03):
I love it. And so over kind of the
holidays, a bunch of us went tothe Ritz in Tahoe. And I don't
know if you've seen thatproperty recently. The two at
the bottom are golfingsimulators, football.
Kellie Sirna (09:21):
I haven't seen this.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (09:22):
Oh my goodness. And it was so much
fun. Okay, so this cool huntingsimulator, I'm stoked.
Kellie Sirna (09:28):
Yeah. I'm like, what? I've done a hunting
simulator.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (09:32):
Yeah. Are you kidding me?
Kellie Sirna (09:33):
We'll have to try it out.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (09:34):
We have to. So when is it open? When can
people start using it?
Kellie Sirna (09:37):
It's open now. So I've gotten a couple of messages
from some YPO friends andfriends in the city that have
gone to lunch there. I'mactually planning to host a
couple of events there just sopeople can kind of see it.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (09:49):
Just Uh-huh.
Kellie Sirna (09:50):
To kind of get it kick started for ownership. So I
wanted to do a YPO event thereYes. Because that would be a
great Of tenant. Yes. And it'sjust a fun, little private club
in the city.
Think everybody will go to seeOkay,
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (10:01):
So do you know anything about the price
point? Anything about peoplethat they're trying to...
Kellie Sirna (10:06):
It's really more I don't know the specifics, but my
understanding because I kepttrying to find new ways to
generate revenue, they werelike, Kellie, once again this is
a gift to the tenants. I'm like,however, we could rent it out.
You could have a minimum. Andthey're like, Kellie, my money
making brain.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (10:20):
Same. Yeah. Okay, so back to the
spaces here in the DFW area. SoBob's, Talk to me about this
Bob's in McKinney.
Kellie Sirna (10:30):
So Bob's Sambol, he's an icon in this city. And
we all know Bob's on Lemmon.It's a thing. It's just like the
best. The best he's the bestbecause he's always there. Yes.
Yes. I always felt like a VIPuntil I realized later, Bob has
a way of making everyone feellike a VIP. So I was approached
with their project in McKinney.Bob and Dave Johnson Uh-huh.
(10:53):
Previously owned Enbridge, andalso a good friend and mentor.
Mhmm. And I was ecstatic. Andso, you know, Dave really wanted
like a Bob's an elevated, youknow you know, bougier Bob's.
Yeah. And so, we have since doneBob's in McKinney, but there's a
cigar room element to it. Andit's a really sexy cool cigar
(11:15):
room. This is amazing. Has oneof Bob's
Sarah Zubiate Bennett: You know I love cigars. (11:17):
undefined
Kellie Sirna (11:18):
I didn't know this.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (11:19):
I love cigars. Know I have a whole You
have Yeah. Like I have a wholeset up at the ranch at the
screened in porch. Yes. Back toBob. So talk to me about how
this one's going be boojier,cigar club, all the things.
Kellie Sirna (11:31):
So it's been open and it's kind of picking up.
It's right off 121, and there'sa whole mixed use development
that David Craig and DavidJohnson and those guys are
doing. Mhmm. It is beautiful andamazing. I've hosted a few
dinners. It's a little bit of adisconnect from where I live in
my office downtown. Uh-huh. But,you know, I've loved kind of
going and Yeah. It's always it'sthat carrot. And the pickles, oh
(11:53):
my gosh. Now I'm getting hungry.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (11:54):
Oh my gosh, yes.
Kellie Sirna (11:55):
He's just incredible. He's just created
like an unbelievable brand. Imean, there's a million steak
houses in Dallas.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (12:02):
That's right.
Kellie Sirna (12:03):
And Bob's has just he's managed to be just
incredible and relevant.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (12:08):
And so And it's beautiful. Okay. So
then this other place, theFirefly Park in Frisco? Yes.
Tell me,
Kellie Sirna (12:15):
So we're building the Wilkes family's first hotel.
It's a dream hotel in Frisco. Wejust completed the schematic
design concept last this week,actually. And it is I cannot
wait to bring this to theMetroplex. It is incredible.
Really? It's really beautiful.It's a destination. I mean, even
(12:36):
the meeting spaces, and youknow, I don't know how much I
can talk about, but even themeeting spaces are a
destination. Because you have alot of really beautiful hotels
there with the Omni and HallArts, you know with Craig and a
lot of these hotels. But this isso dynamic and it's just the
dream brand is unique in and ofitself.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett: Oh, I cannot wait to see (12:55):
undefined
Kellie Sirna (12:56):
It's incredible. We're looking at the end of next
year. And yeah, we're off intorenderings now. But as a
designer, and I was talkingabout this to someone yesterday,
it's like when we walk throughan actual space, it's really
(13:17):
just a formality. And I'vewalked to this space for like
two years in my head. So Ialready have this space in my
head. And we're just in SD. Soit's been a really fun project.
We're working with Boca Powellon that. Oh. Okay. It's been
great. Has a commercialcomponent, an office component
as well. So they are doing thataspect of it, and then working
(13:38):
with us on interiors.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (13:40):
Okay. Perfect. So I'm going to pivot
slightly. Because I don'tbelieve that the show would be
complete without mentioning alittle bit of this. I think very
few people that I've everinterviewed have successfully
been able to really marry anexcellent career, be a single
(14:02):
mother, and have two exceptionalmen, like young men.
They're wonderful, I get tearyeyed. Because that I believe is
your greatest...
Kellie Sirna (14:16):
By far. They're wonderful. And anyone that knows
me knows that is without ashadow of a doubt like my
happiest place and the thing I'mmost proud of are my two boys.
I feel I've never had a momentwhere I don't feel so I'm like,
how did I get to be a mom? Yeah.And how did I get to be a mom of
these two? And they're They'reexceptional. They're like my
(14:37):
favorite roommates.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (14:38):
Well, is exactly I mean, at least my
kids, I'm like, they're myfavorite. Are people that I
can't wait to continue to hangout with because they're really
funny. So let me ask you, howhave you been able to balance
it? I know how tough it is. Yourquality time with them. How have
(15:01):
you done it?
Kellie Sirna (15:03):
So I think because I have to share them with their
dad. Say have to. That's part ofOf of course. He's amazing.
I have one of the best coparent. You might have the
second Yeah, We co parent, we'rein the same neighborhood. And I
think that is key. It's huge.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett: It's critical. It's huge. (15:22):
undefined
Kellie Sirna (15:24):
Yes. So our agreement is really that I give
David, their dad, just theschedule of my travel. And I can
work around the conferences andthe developers. I work around
all my trips, and I don't miss asingle moment of my time raising
my boys. And so I feel blessedbecause I never would have built
(15:46):
a company like this. Yeah. Hadit been like every other Tuesday
or week on, week I could havenever built a company. Yes. And
so I attribute it to a lot totheir dad. And every time anyone
asks me, I give him creditbecause we he works with me in
that regard. He even takes thedog. Everything around them, any
of their events, their sports,their organization. I know the
(16:08):
countdown, especially withGraham turning 16. So the boys
are 14, 16. Yep. And especiallywith Graham turning 16, every
second that I can have withthem, that's where my happiest
place is. That's my hobby.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (16:21):
Talk to me about your boys' interests
professionally, and how theirfutures might be molded and have
been influenced based on you.
Kellie Sirna: It's funny you bring this up, (16:33):
undefined
because you know I've alwaysworried. Their dad has a more
flexible schedule, and he'sthere. He can be there in the
day to pick him up. Again, it'smore of a blessing than it is
Sure. Course. My biggest flex.Yes. However, I have one and I
think when you were talkingabout Liliana and dyslexia, my
son's dyslexic. And I he was theone I was so worried about. But
(16:55):
Reid is an organic entrepreneur.Yeah. He has started four
companies. He has more moneythan all of us. I never know
how. I love it. He started apower washing company. The other
day he was just on my computer.He's like, oh, I'm becoming an
Amazon affiliate. And I waslike, how do you do that? And I
mean, I remember we were inMajorca. We were sitting on a
(17:15):
patio, and all these big hugeboats around and we're having
dinner watching all the big hugeboats. And he's like, can I
borrow your phone? And he got onFacebook marketplace and made
like $300 while we're sitting inMajorca on selling little sage
bundles that we had found onlinefor a dollar. Don't ask me why I
bought 100 sage bundles. It'd belike like 03:00 in the morning.
(17:37):
But like Oh my gosh. He madelike $300 just sitting there and
then Graham leans over and he'slike, hey we're business
partners fifty fifty. After Reidlike did all of this. But on the
flip side of that, and and Ialways worried like that the
boys you know would be like,work too much or do this. But
they have they love and respectand they're like, they almost
they're like, we're not worriedabout you because you're tough.
(17:59):
Like they see me have to betough in business. They see me
getting yelled at on calls.That's right. It's upsetting for
them. Still they have thatlittle protective kind of
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (18:09):
You're like that's what makes me.
Kellie Sirna (18:10):
Yes. I'm like
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (18:11):
That's what makes me who
Kellie Sirna (18:12):
I It's just necessary. That's right. But
just last week Mhmm. I wastalking to Graham. He was
getting to this Amazon affiliatething where they'll probably
make like $11. And I was like,I'm so excited to see that
you're interested inentrepreneurship too. Like
anything like that will, youknow, supports that, I'm in.
Yeah. And he goes, oh no no. Idon't want to be an
(18:33):
entrepreneur. And I was like,what do you mean? And he's like,
well I just see how hard youwork and how hard it is. And I'm
like, sir. I was like, thisbackfired in a huge way. So it
was interesting that hisperspective is like, I'd rather
work for someone and be like,you know, at the end of the day.
h So and the boys are requiredlike this summer, they need to
either start a company or a nonprofit. I just I think, you
(18:55):
know, we've talked a little bitabout philanthropy, but I think
they need to know how to run abusiness. Totally. Or how to run
a philanthropy, and all the insand outs of those things.
And I also think, you know,college is getting so much more
competitive. It's like, what areyou doing that's different aside
from getting a four point o?Amen. Right? So it's funny you
asked that because I just justthis last week I was like, oh
no. This backfired. And it takesthose people, you know, Greer,
(19:19):
May, my associate principallaughs because I'm always like,
here. You want a piece of this?You want the keys? And she's
like, I don't want to own this.I don't want anything to do with
it. I've you know, I'm here withyou Uh-huh. Till the end, but
like I'm not she's like, shedoesn't want to be an
entrepreneur. She doesn't wantto own it. She is an incredible
wingman. Yeah. And and I'm like,you're a genius. Like you know
(19:40):
she can ride the wave a littlebit easier. Mean it's you know
she goes through all those hardtimes with me, but she's like
I'm not an entrepreneur. I don'twant to do that.
Mhmm. And so I see Graham maybebeing like that incredible
wingman. I see Reid eitherrunning 50 companies or a
prison, and I'm not sure whowins yet. We're still on the
cusp, and no. He's you know,it's like really good.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (20:02):
But it's terrific. Because if he has that
fight in him, and you'requestioning if he can run a
prison, people used to say thatabout me, it's Okay.
Kellie Sirna (20:10):
Same girl. I had the little shiny male version of
myself. Yeah. I thought it wasin the clear when my mom kept
saying, you're going to have adaughter just like you. And I
was like, I had two boys, andnow I'm like, I had the boy
version of me.
His negotiation skills. He wasnegotiating because he lost
games in his in his phone theother day. I came I was in a
dinner in Chicago and I cameback to the table after Reid had
(20:31):
been negotiating. And I'm like,and then he said this, and
everybody at the table wassilent and looked at me and they
go, that's you. And I'm like, ohmy gosh. It is me. I'm in such
trouble.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (20:42):
It's the truth. Louis can push my buttons
more than anyone. And Monty'slike, guess why. Yeah, exactly.
He's you. But I don't know. Atthis point, I just think it's
beautiful. Yeah. You are ahospitality, primarily,
designer. What are some of yourmost iconic and magnificent
(21:04):
properties that you've workedon?
Kellie Sirna (21:08):
It's funny. I have different properties I'm proud
of for different reasons.Uh-huh. Nothing this is not the
most iconic project, but myproject in Haiti, to me was an
incredibly pivotal time of mycareer. Yep. In a time where in
a place that has so much sadnessand poverty
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (21:25):
Yep.
Kellie Sirna (21:25):
I was able to create something beautiful. And
to the point where I was goingdown in a bulletproof armored
vehicle with armed guards to goto Croix Du Bouquet to work with
the artist. And every piece ofart in that hotel was made from
a local artist. And to see howincredibly resourceful they are
with absolutely nothing. Uh-huh.
(21:45):
The art the hotel has recycledtires. T shirts that were
donated that were dyed and wovenand made. I mean, you name it,
and just like things therecycled oil barrels, and then
they're finding forks and thingsand Uh-huh. Making beautiful
masks. Yep. And so, I think thatproject, it wasn't the fanciest.
(22:06):
But it was it was a project thatnothing will ever touch that. I
got to meet the people. Did awhole huge column of
photography. And we explained toa group of of students,
photography students that didn'tever have their own cameras.
Yep. A lot of these kids, someof them haven't even like had a
mirror to see themselves. Mhmm.We said, go show the world the
(22:29):
beautifulness. Like, you know,everybody shows the sadness of
Haiti. Go show them beautiful.And we bust them all in, and
they I get it's I get goosebumpson my head every single time I
think about this. Because I'mright there like now. They all
came in and they were tears juststreaming down their face. As
they found on this wall of like500 pieces of photography, they
(22:51):
found on this wall theirphotograph, their the pride that
they But then you know whenyou're talking about operations,
know I'm going off a little bit.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (22:59):
No no.
Kellie Sirna (22:59):
But like there was somebody in housekeeping. And
she just went home and you know,hosed her home down, you know,
and that's how she cleaned it.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (23:07):
Uh-huh.
Kellie Sirna (23:07):
So she goes in her bathroom, know, the guest bath,
and takes a hose and or not ahose, but somehow got water and
just took like the water andwatered down the whole bathroom.
So everything's shorting out. Weflooded the Second Floor. But I
mean like they had like a bighuge rice and bean thing and a
woman's whole job was to sitthere and people are taking
(23:29):
their rice and beans, putting itunder a napkin over it to take
it home and share with theirfamilies. And there will be
nothing I don't think that Iwill ever experience to my
beautiful Thompson Hotels orsome of these incredible
projects that I've been soblessed to be a part of that
will be as beautiful as that.It's so special.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (23:47):
And then what a unique industry. I didn't
even know about your industrywhen I was being raised in El
Paso. I think I found out whatinterior design was after I
graduated college.
Kellie Sirna (24:01):
Oh, well same. I don't know if you know that. No.
This was my second degree. So Iwent international business in
Spanish, and I got out and Iinterned for an Italian company.
And I was like, I will shrivelup and die behind a cubicle. I
cannot I grew up very ADD. And Ido feel like that is my
superpower. If you are in a lifeplace I love that. Yep. But
(24:23):
truly, I mean it's my socialeverything I was in trouble in
for school. The talking, thesocializing, like everything.
It's your superpower. I gotmediocre grades because I never
I never fit in that box.
And understandably, teachershave to put you in a box in
order to survive all these kids.Sure. But I I never fit in it. I
was always even my art class.Know, she'd like, do this.
(24:45):
Here's what the end resultshould look like. And I'm like,
I want to do this. And I canlike make it look so much
cooler. I would get zero on theproject. Stubborn for sure. But
like Yeah. It is that dyslexiaand ADD and all those things, I
really look at if you're doingwhat you love and what you're
meant to do, it's I think sodifferent from everyone else.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (25:04):
Yep. But that different thinking is your
strength.
Kellie Sirna (25:08):
That's strategy.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (25:09):
And I just really hope that more
people just just try to embracethat because everyone wants
their kid to be the straight A,perfect this, blah blah blah,
right? And I'm like, it's nottheir destiny. What type of mark
would you like to leave on theyouth? And how will you go about
(25:31):
doing that? Because I know thatyou're engaged civically.
Kellie Sirna (25:35):
It's one of, I think, the things I'm most
excited about, about being anowner. And when I hear young
designers, or young women, ormen, or whatever, I get so
passionate. I want to build amillion different things. And
I'm 250 miles down the road, andmy team's like, slow your roll
for just a minute. Like, I havea million ideas. And like, you
(25:58):
know, capital raising. Eventhings like that. It's just it's
I love building other people'scareers. So when someone comes
to me and asks me about, youknow, entrepreneurship or design
or something, both of which I'mequally as passionate about, I
love being a mentor. And I loveadvocating for them.
And we just touched on it, buteven disabilities. I felt stupid
(26:22):
my whole life. I felt like Ididn't Really? I just felt like
I couldn't quite grasp, like Ihad this not foggy brain, but
like I was just not a greatstudent. And I Okay. Okay. But I
also think it really developedin me. I worked 10 times harder.
So all my roommates andgirlfriends
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (26:41):
That's right.
Kellie Sirna (26:41):
Were raging. And would I would be studying all
night Uh-huh. And they wouldcome in at 03:00 in the morning
hammered hair everywhere.
And they'd get up the nextmorning, they'd have like the
club stamp on their face wherethey'd pat and like p j pants,
and they'd go in and make an a,and I'd make like a maybe a high
b. Yeah. And I was sofrustrated. But that hustle that
I had, that hard work, as soonas I got done with both degrees,
(27:02):
internship, full time, all thesethings, and I started my first
job, I was like blowing pastthings because working hard was
just natural for me. I'm like,wait, I don't have to be up till
3AM in addition to this job?Like, this is incredible. Yep.
And so I want, and I think it'swhat I love about Shelton too
Yeah. Is I want the youth toknow, use your disabilities as a
(27:26):
superpower. Yep. And know thatthat can be your biggest flex if
you embrace it and figure outhow to use it best. That's
right. And then, yeah. Justmentoring overall, and all those
different little areas.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (27:39):
Whenever you came to the ranch, and I was
like, my god Kelly, I'mredesigning the kitchen, blah,
blah, And then I showed you allthe Kyle Bunting pieces and all
the different things on thewall. So are you going to have
any kind of anything coming outsoon?
Kellie Sirna (27:56):
Product line? So yesterday, in my stories in the
go and I would love for you tocomment. Because I don't think
people understood until I put itin a story, this is my very
first product line. So it'shappening.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (28:09):
Oh, it's happening. Oh, god. Okay, let's
just talk about it reallyquickly. Yeah. Okay, so Well
Talk.
Go, go, go.
Kellie Sirna (28:14):
So I just launched with Tarkett, which is a
hospitality carpet line. Yeah.So guest room, public space.
This is my very first productline. And I am like over the
moon Of and so excited.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (28:27):
Of course.
Kellie Sirna (28:27):
It's called Wild Runway, and so the designs are
very fashion you will love it. Iyou specifically. It's very
fashion inspired, Parrot'srunway. Yep. But then with this
kind of animal print, but donein a more organic or abstract
way. Oh. So we had designed thisguest room carpet for the Dream
(28:51):
Hotel project, and I'm like, ohmy god, this is it's got to be
Wild Runway. And I did thisbeautiful plaid, I'm just I'm so
excited. And second of all, likeKyle Bunting is a very good
friend, as you know. Yes. Andyou met him at the ranch. Yes.
And he's just unbelievablytalented, and what he provides
is so unique in the Agreed. Andso we are also working on
(29:13):
something really fun together.We had a first run, Kyle's
really pushing me.
We had a first run and I waslike, I love this. And he's
like, this doesn't have thedepth of Kellie Sirna. This has
to go deeper. And I'm like,okay. So but he's pushing me
creatively.
And so we're supposed to kind ofget together. But I'd done this
(29:35):
line for him called the Facetline. Okay. Have to see a photo.
It's really these beautifulorganic shaped emeralds.
So I did an emerald, which ofcourse you will love.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (29:45):
Of course, yes.
Kellie Sirna (29:45):
But it's an emerald cut rug, and it's all
the different facets and all thedifferent greens. And I loved
that you could order your kindof birthstone, or the stone that
means you could even do adiamond. But all the colors are
like pinks and blues in thediamond because that's what the
facet would look like. So allyou have to see the emerald I
did full size. You're gonnayou're gonna love it.
(30:07):
You're gonna love it. So we'regonna do lunch. Okay. But I
think we should, if I can getyou guys down there. I think we
should do it next door at theNational, which would be an
incredible place for you to see.I can't you are going to love
(30:30):
it. You're gonna love it.
Sarah Zubiate Bennett (30:33):
But I would love to do some type of
panel, you know that have awhole bunch of kids just to
listen to stories from peoplelike you. Just different types
of personalities. But I believethat collection of personal
experience should never bediscredited but should be
(30:54):
applauded. Yep. So thank you forbeing here Kellie.
Kellie Sirna (30:58):
I loved it. Yes. So much fun.
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