In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Oana Molodoi, founder of OM Drapes Design, a Southern California company creating custom window treatments for high-end homes and interior designers. Oana shares how she launched the business in 2020 during the pandemic with no industry experience, built a website with her husband, and on her very first appointment, walked away with a $5,000 check that confirmed she was on to something big.
She opens up about the ups and downs of growing fast, the challenges of being a solopreneur while raising a family, and the joy of becoming a role model for her kids. Oana and Madeleine talk about what the American dream really looks like, why taking time off is essential, and how strong relationships can often matter more than business strategy.
If you have ever wondered whether you can grow a business you love without sacrificing the people and values that matter most, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take action.
Key Takeaways
How starting from scratch during the pandemic turned into a thriving design business
Why personal connection is the secret ingredient to long-term success
Oana’s formula for balancing motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship
The emotional labor of growing fast and why it’s worth it
Why blocking vacation time might be the most productive thing you do
How immigrant resilience and purpose-fueled work created Oana’s dream life
Why “success” should include joy, love, and alignment, not just profits
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction to Oana Molodoi
[02:44] How the pandemic sparked a bold career leap
[04:43] Landing her first big client and building momentum
[05:26] Balancing business growth and family life
[07:02] A touching story about her daughter’s pride about the business
[10:58] The power of scheduling rest and connection
[13:47] Unexpected gifts from client relationships
[16:22] Living the American dream as a successful immigrant
[18:17] Strategic risk, connection, and staying grounded
[19:38] Oana’s definition of success
[26:42] Where to connect with Oana
Notable Quotes
[08:22] “Entrepreneurial life is like a stool. It's a three-legged stool. You've got your business, you've got your relationships, you've got your family, and there's three legs, but they're never even at the same time, it gets pretty wobbly.”— Madeline
[11:03] "Every December, I actually take a spa day and I go and set my goals and think of my next year's strategy." — Oana
[15:15] "The universe cannot be outdone in generosity. When we pour it out and we give it and we give it, it's gonna come back to us" — Madeline McCrae
[16:30] "We put our dreams in eight pieces of luggage and flew over the ocean." — Oana
[20:00] "I have an MBA and I look at it as a business. And when I first started this, I was thinking, oh, finally I get to put my MBA to work." — Oana
[20:43] "Success is really how accomplished you feel, how loved you feel, how well received you feel." — Oana
Our Guest
Oana Molodoi is the founder of OM Drapes Design, a fast-growing window treatments company based in Southern California. Originally from Romania, Oana brings her deep background in advertising and her MBA education into every part of her business. Known for her creative eye and heart-centered leadership, she has built a brand rooted in connection, purpose, and empowerment.
