Luxury, Defined Personally with Sueann Badillo
Luxury is not a price point. It is a perspective.
In this episode of Highly Affected by Her Surroundings, I sat down with Sueann Badillo, founder and creative force behind Moxie Design Group in Orlando, Florida. What began as an Instagram connection evolved into a thoughtful conversation about resilience, brand building, and defining luxury on your own terms.
Sueann’s path into design was not linear. She began in the medical field, pursuing stability and structure, yet the pull toward creativity never left. That return to her original calling shaped the foundation of Moxie Design Group, a firm built intentionally from day one to be larger than a single name.
And that intention shows.
Building a Brand Bigger Than Yourself
One of the most compelling parts of our conversation was Sueann’s decision to name her firm “Moxie” rather than building it around her personal name. Moxie means grit, resilience, determination. It reflects not only her design style but the mindset required to build something from scratch during uncertain seasons.
We talked about what it looks like to grow from wearing every hat to stepping into the founder seat. The shift from designer to business owner is real. It requires clarity, delegation, and the discipline to protect your vision while empowering your team.
Growth is not loud. It is steady.
Client-First, Always
Sueann’s design philosophy centers on one core principle: the client comes first.
That does not mean sacrificing leadership. It means guiding without overpowering. Listening before directing. Understanding what someone is drawn to in an inspiration image rather than recreating it.
We both agreed that Pinterest is not the problem. Copying without interpretation is.
True design happens when you identify the one detail that resonates and translate it through the lens of your client’s lifestyle, architecture, and story.
Travel as Creative Discipline
Sueann draws much of her inspiration from global travel. From architectural doors in Morocco to showroom visits in Milan, her approach is rooted in experiencing design beyond a screen.
Travel, for her, is education.
It refines the eye. It expands perspective. It builds cultural awareness. And it deepens the understanding of what luxury can look like in different contexts.
Luxury in Italy feels different than luxury in the Middle East. Both are valid. Both are instructive.
The key is defining it personally.
Technology Meets Craft
We also discussed how Moxie Design Group incorporates immersive VR presentations into their process. While renderings have long been part of the industry, allowing clients to stand inside their future space before construction begins adds another level of clarity.
It reduces hesitation.
It strengthens trust.
It reinforces alignment.
And alignment, as we both shared, matters more than competition.
Confidence Is Built
Confidence in business is rarely immediate. It is earned through decision-making, missteps, refinement, and community.
Sueann spoke honestly about doing things afraid in the early years. Showing up on social media. Leading a team. Charging appropriately. Trusting her instincts.
Confidence grows when your “why” becomes clear.
When you stop apologizing for your standards.
When you stop chasing every opportunity.
When you choose alignment over validation.
Defining Luxury Personally
At the heart of this conversation is one idea: luxury should feel personal.
It is not about ego.
It is not about excess.
It is about experience.
It is about how a space supports your daily rituals.
How it reflects your values.
How it makes you feel when you walk through the door.
Luxury, when defined personally, becomes powerful.
To explore Sueann’s work, visit moxiedesigngrp.com or follow along on Instagram at @moxiedesigngrp.
And if this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who is building something of their own.
