Beth Goltz turned her love of homes into a thriving career. From real estate to interior design, she now helps clients see the potential in every space and create homes they truly love. In this story, she shares her journey, challenges, and how she built a business combining both her passions.
Tell us about your background. Where are you from and what was your career path before HSID?
I’m originally from Fairfield, Connecticut, but I moved to Boulder, Colorado, in 2006 and have been here ever since. I started my career working at two different marketing agencies, supporting brands like Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Hershey, and Procter & Gamble. After that, I spent nearly 10 years at IBM in marketing. By the time I left, I was a senior global marketing manager, traveling all over the world and on calls from early morning until late at night. It was a great experience before I became a mom, but I realized I needed more flexibility to be available for my son.
When I left IBM, I decided to pursue a long-time passion of mine: everything home. I’ve always loved real estate, home renovations, DIY projects, and home décor.
Why did you decide to pursue interior design as your career?
After leaving IBM, I first earned my real estate license and became a realtor. While touring homes with clients, I naturally started helping them envision the potential of a space and the renovations they could make. Often, clients would say, “I love this house, but that kitchen won’t work for us,” and I would help explain how they could remodel it to make it perfect.
One day, a client suggested I become an interior designer as well and offer both services. That was the lightbulb moment for me. I found Heritage School of Interior Design Denver and completed my certificate to offer residential interior design services. After graduating, I launched my own business, Beth Goltz Real Estate & Design, which combines both real estate and interior design services.
What challenges did you have to overcome to get where you are today?
Starting your own business is a lot of work. You have to invest time in self-promotion and marketing to get noticed and hired. I’m grateful for my background in marketing because I approached building my business as a marketing effort. I designed my website on WordPress, manage all my social media, write blogs about home projects, and promote photos of the projects I’ve completed.
Tell us about your experience at HSID and how it prepared you for a design career.
It was definitely a lot of work, but what I learned at HSID has been invaluable. Clients often interview me for potential projects, and when they hear I can use AutoCAD, they’re impressed and immediately respect my skills as an interior designer.
I also use nearly all the templates we learned in class in my business—client questionnaires, letters of agreement, spec sheets, tear sheets, product quotation files, and more. Knowing how to keep everything organized has been crucial. Years later, clients will call asking what paint color we used, and I can pull up the spec sheet and answer immediately.
What are you currently working on in design?
I’m closing out a project for a client’s home office, where we removed a home bar and built a completely new space. I also just received a call from another client to help with renovations to prepare their home for sale.
Tell us about your business.
My business, Beth Goltz Real Estate & Design, offers a full range of services to buy and sell real estate as well as redesign and remodel homes. As I explain on my website:
“Beth Goltz Real Estate and Design offers an extensive range of services to help you buy and sell real estate, as well as redesign and remodel your new or existing home. Beth has formal education in interior design and is a licensed REALTOR® in Colorado. She goes above and beyond for her clients and combines real estate and design expertise to fully support them in achieving their home goals. Whether buying, selling, or turning your current house into your dream home, Beth Goltz Real Estate & Design can help.”
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
You don’t want to look back and regret what you didn’t try. I knew going to Heritage would be challenging. I lived in Boulder and had to commute to Denver for full-day classes all week, while caring for a baby and a toddler and still working as a realtor. I told myself I just had to go for it. I had an idea for a business combining real estate and design, and I knew I needed the formal education to make it a reality.
Are there any accomplishments or proud moments you’d like to share?
One of the most rewarding moments is when a client who bought a home from me calls months or even years later asking for design help. Seeing a project come full circle is incredible, especially when it’s family or friends. One friend bought a home through me, we renovated the kitchen, and later they invited my family and me over for dinner in the new kitchen. Watching them enjoy the space and knowing I played a part in it made me so proud.
What are your future career goals as an interior designer?
My goal is to continue growing my business and mastering the balance between real estate and design. The two require different parts of the brain—logical and analytical for real estate, creative and imaginative for design. I’ve learned to focus on one at a time, whether it’s conceptualizing a design or handling the business side of real estate. I also juggle site visits, construction check-ins, and showings, so time management is key. My future goal is to continue learning how to manage both effectively to grow my business.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Heritage School of Interior Design introduced me to so many amazing businesses that I still collaborate with today. One of my favorites is ACO Denver (formerly Amish Cabinets of Denver). I’ve designed kitchens with them that I later sold as a realtor, and at open houses, clients frequently ask who did the cabinets because they’re so well done. Learning about these trusted partners has made my work look its best.
Follow Beth’s journey on Instagram @beth_goltz