Celebrity closet designer and author of the Closet Design Bible, Lisa Adams has put a public spotlight on the field of home organization. Her beautiful closet designs and list of high-profile clients, including Olivia Culpo, Christina Aguilera, Khloe Kardashian, Monique Lhuillier, Kris Jenner, Fergie, Jewel and Eddie Murphy, have made her the go-to person on the latest closet styles and trends, by media outlets including The Wall Street Journal and Good Morning America.

Surprisingly, Adams originally intended to be a chemist “planning to find a cure...” and earned a BA in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley and then an MBA from Pepperdine University. However, her passion for design, with its combination of creative inspiration and disciplined details, would soon lead her on another path, that of closet design.

Adams launched LA Closet Design in 2007 with a goal of changing the perception of closets as a space that can add flair and value to the home. Each LA Closet Design project is customized to reflect the needs and style of the client.

“The closet is where we most often spend the first and last moments of a day and unfortunately at those times many of us deal with universal closet issues: cluttered, overstuffed, and unorganized spaces,” she has said. “Instead, I look at both your room — and your life — and then I create a space of peace, beauty and even glamour.”

Adams cited her academic training,  including getting an MBA, and also selling Cutco knives, “and my discipline learned from years of piano and basketball training,” as some of the steps and experiences that have led to her success.

She also credits her PR agency for helping her gain exposure. “I believe the smartest thing LA Closet Design has done is to hire my current PR firm from day one.  We have grown together, and the collaborative/flexible nature has allowed the company to expand in ways I didn’t even imagine in the beginning.”

Over the next few years, she added, “I would like to develop high-end closet products and accessories, and do more designer collaborations with aligning brands in various spaces.”

In addition to her efforts in promoting the industry, Adams is involved in a number of organizations. She is currently the board president for the University Laboratory School Foundation, and sits on the Advisory Council for the Dress for Success Worldwide-West organization.  

In her free time, she enjoys running and playing basketball.

Quick Glimpse:

• Education: B.S. from University of California-Berkeley, MBA from Pepperdine
• Number of years at the company: 11
• Number of years in the industry: 15
• Words that best describe you: Inquisitive and innovative
• Business mantra: The balance of form, function, aesthetics and practicality.
• Best advice: To give a good handshake and to not be a “right” fighter — they have served me well.
• Who have you tried to emulate? Oprah hands down—she’s a risk taker and works harder than anyone in the business.  Her longevity and ability to stay relevant are most impressive to me.  She’s a super entrepreneur if I’ve ever seen one!