Luca Campacci (he/him) and Vinh Le (he/him) met at a bowling alley over thirteen years ago. They clicked immediately. Working together as part-time bartenders, they learned of each other’s work ethic and aspirations to become Interior Designers. They both attended Ontario College for Art and Design (OCAD) University to pursue studies. Following their studies, they worked at design studios in Toronto to gain experience and qualify as Interior Designers.
In 2017 they decided to start their own business, something they had always wanted to do. They reflect that during high school they had loved and excelled at planning events and managing large groups of people and having a knack for public speaking. Luca and Vinh knew the risks of starting a business, but reckoned that if it was not successful it would have been a minor setback in their careers given they were mid-twenties. Plus, they had each other no matter – from navigating the obstacles of entrepreneurship to dealing with potential disappointments or failures inevitable in starting a business. Their partnership gave them confidence.
They offer the following to others who consider starting their own business:
“No one can start a business alone. It is the relationships and people you meet along the way and the stories you exchange that help you grow and tweak your way of doing things. And if you want to be an entrepreneur, you cannot fear change or a life of uncertainty because every day will be different and challenge you in completely different way than your last obstacle.”
Naming of Level Studio
Many professional services firms name the company after the founding principals. Luca and Vinh decided to name their company different from their own with consideration to how future team members may find meaning in their work. They also envisioned the company as becoming bigger than themselves.
“We originally thought of lv designs with the initials of our names. lv is an acronym for the word Level in gaming. And that is how level studio came to be.”
This ethos translates to the expectations they support for team members, in that they want employees to have meaningful work-life balance – for team members to know that they can shut off at the end of the day and not have to worry about client relations during evenings and weekends. They respect their team’s personal time and understand that not everything has to be about one’s job.
Luca and Vinh consider their leadership priorities as empowering creativity and “out-of-the-box” thinking with their team.
They reflect that:
“We need to be great at managing a lot of people and a lot of moving components at the same time. We have to think quick on our feet, be charismatic, have excellent communication skills and – above all – have an excellent understanding and ability to show empathy to people.”
Communication is Integral to their Approach
Level Studio provides a genuine, collaborative approach with their design services. Constant communication with clients at every stage supports client confidence and engagement, especially if clients are unfamiliar with the breadth of what Interior Designers can do.
Vinh and Luca describe their ideal client as someone who wants to live in a unique, bold space. Clients benefit when they are open about what they want and need, and when they trust Level Studio’s expertise and ideas. All the while, being excited to work together as part of the team!
Luca and Vinh describe the integral role of registered Interior Designers:
“Interior design is not about picking the perfect colour or chair for a room. This industry is about communication. Designers need to communicate their ideas and vision to their clients in addition to all team members, trades and vendors involved on the project. Being effective and clear is required to achieve the end result. Much like several different musicians playing their instruments, each trade or vendor performs their task whether it is to lay tiles or install cabinetry. The Interior Designer, much like the conductor, plays the orchestra.”
During the design phase, Vinh and Luca foster friendships with clients, supporting their ability to present ideas and create space tailored to clients’ wants and needs. It is during this time that trust is built, which strengthens confidence and communication during implementation phase.
During the implementation phase, the studio often takes the entire project from start to finish and deals with all the things that come up during construction. For most of their projects, they take on the role of the general contractor which allows them to make decisions, troubleshoot, and realize projects with a high degree of accuracy to the creative vision. This role is invaluable when, as is normal, things do not go as planned.
The Role of Mentorship in Business
Mentorship played a huge role in both Luca’s and Vinh’s career and in starting Level Studio. They valued the ability to bounce ideas off someone or a group of fellow entrepreneurs, learning about what worked and did not work for other companies and why.
“Mentorship also creates a great incubator of like-minded people in similar positions as ourselves to guide and support each other. Rather than feel like you are going into every decision alone, mentorship allows you to feel like you are going into every decision with backup.”
In 2023, Luca and Vinh participated in Canada’s 2SGTBQ+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) “Out for Business” Entrepreneurship Program, an opportunity to connect with 2SLGTBQ+ entrepreneurs and educational programming to support decisions on their business. Gregg Brown, an experienced entrepreneur and leadership keynote supported them with thoughtful guidance, strategies and direction in areas they did not think about or were lacking at their stage of business such as client retention, marketing tools, and acquiring new prospects.
Proud Accomplishments and Looking Ahead
One of Level Studio’s proudest achievements is having their projects featured in House and Home, an industry publication. Here, they were able to showcase their approach to converting an industrial loft and bring colorful newness to their client’s home.
As they look ahead, Luca and Vinh describe their intention to keep pushing boundaries in their projects and come up with ideas that are beautiful, unique, and functional for clients. They aim to establish more relationships with builders, developers, and vendors for custom homes and condos in the Greater Toronto Area.
“You can do everything in your power the right way to get something done and still fail sometimes. And that’s okay. It is how you deal with, manage, and overcome these failures that will separate a successful entrepreneur from everyone else.”
