Janis & Mackenzie Reed
In the late ‘90s, Janis Reed launched her interior design business and began working from home in the lakeside town of Charlotte. Around the same time, she and her husband, Doug, welcomed their youngest child, a daughter named Mackenzie. With a close-knit relationship already in place, Mackenzie grew up deeply rooted in the world of design. She accompanied her mother to furniture and accessory markets, visited local vendors, and often offered her opinion on design concepts for clients. But interior design was just a sliver of the creativity that Mackenzie was exposed to as a child, sparking her eventual path as an author.
Nearly three decades later, Janis has expanded her business to include a brick-and-mortar home & gift boutique at the Piano Works in East Rochester. While Mackenzie still enjoys helping her mom and can often be found at the boutique, she’s also ventured into writing novels. After graduating from Nazareth University with a degree in Communication and Media, Mackenzie published two young adult thrillers, The Rosewood Hunt and The Wilde Trials, with HarperCollins. Additionally, her debut adult book will be published next year by Berkley/Penguin Random House.
Proud of one another and always the first to cheer the other on, Janis and Mackenzie are happy to share their thoughts on cultivating a legacy of creativity – a legacy that started right at home.
Q&A with Janis and Mackenzie
How did you cultivate creativity in your home?
J: "I believe creativity comes from sources all around you and through you. In our home, it could have been small things like setting a fanciful table for a family gathering, or decorating every surface for Christmas! More importantly, I think it was being involved in our kids’ lives: taking an active role in their interests and projects, celebrating their wins, and helping them solve challenges."
What was it like growing up with a mom who ran her own creative business?
M: "Inspiring! Often, I would walk into her office and find the desk strewn with fabric and paint samples and catalogs for whatever the current project was. It was fun getting to weigh in on things and I always felt very special when she would let me tag along on business outings. I also had a front-row seat to how much work and self-discipline it takes to run your own business – a lot!"
What inspired you to open your boutique and how does it reflect your design philosophy?
J: "My home & gift boutique is an extension of my creative vision of helping people live life more enjoyably at home. I see furnishings and gifts as more than just products or trends; they become part of one’s personal expression. The best spaces and the best gifts tell a story – yours!"
How did your upbringing impact your own creativity?
M: "Both of my parents always encouraged my brothers and me to try new things all the time, which, looking back, was huge in helping us find our passions. I feel very fortunate that they always valued creative hobbies just as much as sports and sciences. I never felt the need to hide anything from them, and every new creative pursuit was met with enthusiasm and support."
What’s been the most rewarding part of having a creative career?
J: "Interior design provides a way for me to blend creativity with purpose. An intentionally designed home supports daily activities, improves comfort, and fosters a sense of well-being. Knowing I can make that difference for my clients is what makes my work so fulfilling."
M: "Meeting readers who have been positively impacted by my books is truly the best part. To know that the words I write, which are often a comfort to me, can also provide comfort and an escape for someone else is more than I could have ever hoped for."
How do you support each other in your endeavors?
J: "I’m extremely proud of Mackenzie for her accomplishments. Her passion for writing, coupled with the courage to pursue and tenacity to persist, is not only admirable, it’s unstoppable; and she does it all with humility and grace. It’s so exciting for me to witness her success, as it is for all three of our children. Doug and I continue to support her efforts, offering advice and encouragement when needed. We love attending her events and promoting her books everywhere we go. I think it’s fair to say we’re her biggest fans!"
M: "I love helping out with the boutique in any way that I can. Sometimes that looks like making social media posts, sometimes it’s sending newsletter emails, and sometimes it's brainstorming and attending upcoming events. I genuinely love being at the boutique and spending time with my mom, so doing whatever I can to make things even a little bit easier for her is top priority. It’s so inspiring to see how her life-long dream of opening a retail store has come true – I’m happy to be part of it every step of the way."
Janis Reed Interiors - Home & Gift Boutique
A Warm, Welcoming Space Celebrating Local Artisans and Thoughtful Hospitality
Janis' boutique exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere, which she intentionally creates for her customers. Hospitality is a huge part of the store’s culture, and visitors are often greeted with a treat while they shop. Every purchase leaves the store in a gift-ready bag with their signature blue tissue, making the experience feel extra special. The calming environment is achieved through elements like natural light, soothing music, and the scent of a candle burning in the background. Janis and her team display furnishings and gifts in lifestyle settings, encouraging customers to envision how these items could fit into their own spaces.
Being based in Rochester has also had a positive impact on Janis' boutique. She loves being part of the vibrant local community and proudly features products made by local artisans, from framed art to specialty foods and candles. There’s a strong sense of loyalty among local shoppers, and Janis is thankful for their support of small independent stores like hers.
"This boutique is a true gem! The inventory is always changing, offering a beautiful selection of everything from baby gifts to pantry staples, jewelry, and home décor. The pieces are not only sustainable and high quality, but perfect for every season or for everyday living. Janis and Doug create such a welcoming atmosphere, always offering a drink or a sweet treat while you shop." - Mary C.
Visit our boutique!
OPEN TUES-FRI 12-5PM, SAT 10AM-2PM
Follow us on Instagram @janisreedinteriors
Mackenzie Reed
From Music to Novels, Finding Her True Calling in Storytelling
Mackenzie's creative journey began with music, as she loved being part of musicals and writing her own songs. It wasn’t until high school that she started working on her first book, and she didn’t finish it until college. But once she discovered novel-writing, it felt like the perfect fit. Now, as a published author with HarperCollins and Berkley/Penguin Random House, she has found her true calling. Mackenzie draws inspiration from the stories she loves, whether through books or movies, and strives to offer her readers the same comfort and escape she’s found in storytelling.
Though her creative pursuits have evolved over the years, Mackenzie knows that writing will always be a significant part of her life. She’s just getting started, and she’s excited to see where her journey will take her.
THE ROSEWOOD HUNT
Lily Rosewood has always dreamed of taking over her family's business, Rosewood Inc., with her grandmother's guidance. But when her grandmother unexpectedly dies and her $250 million fortune goes missing, Lily's future is thrown into uncertainty. A cryptic letter from Gram sends Lily and three other teens on a treasure hunt that could change their lives—but they're not the only ones after the fortune. As the hunt grows more dangerous, Lily must navigate thrilling intrigue, unexpected betrayal, and a budding romance, all while trying to uncover Gram’s secrets before it's too late.
THE WILDE TRIALS
Chloe Gatti is determined to win the Wilde Trials, an elite competition at her boarding school, for the half-million-dollar prize that could help save her sick sister. As she faces fierce competition, including her brooding ex-boyfriend, Hayes Stratford, things take a dark turn when someone starts blackmailing her. Forced to team up with Hayes to uncover the saboteur, Chloe and Hayes follow clues that reveal troubling secrets about the Trials. As their partnership grows and old feelings resurface, Chloe must decide if the prize is worth risking her life—and whether she can survive the deadly game.
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