Hidden Gems: Meet Dala Al-Fuwaires of House of Form

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dala Al-Fuwaires.

Hi Dala, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey to becoming an entrepreneur started with the decision to leave my home country of Kuwait and attend ASU’s interior design program in Arizona. I wanted to study in a place with a similar climate and landscape to what I was used to. Meeting my American husband and falling in love with Arizona convinced me to make it my permanent home. After graduating, I discovered my passion for hospitality and design and joined a local firm. I taught design courses at the collegiate level for years while practicing design. However, it was during a job transition that House of Form, my boutique hospitality design firm, was born. I wanted a place where I could be both an educator and a designer. Running my own business has allowed me to do both and has perfectly fit my passion and skills.

Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As with any journey, there were certainly bumps along the way. One of my biggest challenges was starting my own business without prior entrepreneurial experience. It was a steep learning curve, and I had to work hard to learn the ins and outs of running a business. Another challenge was balancing the demands of running a business while teaching design courses at the collegiate level. Time management and prioritization became critical skills for me to develop.

Additionally, the design industry is constantly evolving, so staying current with trends, technology, programs, and best practices is essential. This means investing time and resources in continuing education and professional development. Despite these challenges, each obstacle presented a valuable opportunity for growth and learning, which has ultimately helped me to become a better entrepreneur and designer.

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
House of Form is a boutique hospitality design firm specializing in creating memorable spaces and meaningful experiences for guests and customers. Based in Scottsdale and named a Top 5 Interior Design Firm in 2020 by Ranking Arizona, House of Form comprises hospitality and retail experts with global experience in designing dynamic and unique environments, from locally-owned restaurants and intimate spaces to hotel chains and national rollouts. To see how House of Form can bring your design dreams and visions into focus, visit houseofform.com. We focus on design in these major industries: Restaurants, Bars, Hotels, Multifamily, Retail, and Office. My greatest accomplishment is establishing a company comprising a team of exceptional, resilient, and diverse women. Our team embodies an entrepreneurial spirit, taking pride and accountability for everything we create and deliver to our clients. We work collaboratively to craft hospitality spaces that offer memorable experiences. Our philosophy centers on pushing the limits and guiding you to build spaces that distinguish you from the crowd.

How do you define success?
Success means being a role model for minority women who can look up to me and say, ‘If she can achieve it, so can I.

Contact Info:

• Website: houseofform.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofform_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houseofform/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/houseofform
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqB1gAor32xM_8GwBTQhmtA 

Image Credits
Cala, 36 Below, The Rose Garden, Liberty Market, Peixoto | Kevin Brost Nori Sushi | Roehner Ryan Team Photos | Eunice Beck + Rachel Smak