Cassandra Provenzola - Principal Designer
I opened Proven in 2018, and Dexter MI has felt like a hug ever since. I wanted our studio to feel like a home and designed the space to reflect my style. I wanted Proven to have a feeling that evoked a warm home on a fall day, with your favorite candle burning, the sunlight hitting through the windows warming the floor, and a cup of coffee in your hand.
I love to create. Every space is different because there is just one and only you! Your home should be as unique as you are. I love the puzzle of design. I think that I was gifted to see a space. Most good designers see space uniquely, and I approach each space knowing I can improve it. My focus is always on the people. How do you live? What is needed? Our process allows the pieces to fit into place, and we create homes that sing for its residents. It’s genuinely thrilling!
I am an avid antique lover, adore anything vintage, and am genuinely drawn to anything with a past. I find so much inspiration in simple things, from hand-carved corbels to candle sticks. Our studio is always filled with antiques; we integrate many pieces into our designs. Every space we create feels like it has a soul. You can find me often dragging my kiddos and husband to my favorite antique markets and warehouses; don’t be fooled, they love the hunt, too!
I have always known this was my career choice. I was helping my friend’s parents rearrange their homes and choose paint colors at sleepovers. It’s wild to believe that I have been in this industry professionally for nearly 20 years! I feel blessed to create something new daily, be invited into many homes, and help our clients live better with functional and beautiful designs.
I have two beautiful kiddos who help in the studio often, they are the reason I exist. I am consistently thankful that I get to work with my husband, who is a delight! I love to travel. I love the outdoors (but not sleeping in it; let's not get carried away!). I am proud that I have built a business that cares for its clients and takes pride in our product; but I am incredibly proud of our employees, the work they do, and the people they are.
Leia Lapensee - Designer
Writing this ‘about me’ might be the hardest thing I’ve done during my career in design thus far. Who am I, what am I? Purple. Hungry! Help?! Becoming an interior designer was a desire I had always had, but graduating in 2008 into the Great Recession put a bit of fear in me! After bopping around and trying to make different collegiate paths and jobs work for me, it was time to hang in the towel and switch gears. In 2017, I screamed, “Mom, I’m returning to college!”
After putting myself on an accelerated path, I graduated from OCC in May 2019. I officially stepped into the design world five months later by joining the Proven team. The part I love most about my job is creating a space that matches my client’s personality and lifestyle; this means our portfolio is diverse and eclectic (AKA sheer perfection). When I’m not busy working hard for you, you will likely find me with my nose in a book, pestering my husband and kids, or stalking John Mayer. During the design and construction process, I will try to refrain from texting you my 2 am thoughts, but I can’t promise it will never happen!
Paige Turner - Designer
Hi! I am the newest member of Proven, starting as an intern in the summer of 2022. After finishing my degree at the University of Tennessee in Interior Architecture, I joined Proven full time. I have always loved art and being creative, which led me into the world of design and architecture. I am constantly thinking and working on new projects, such as reupholstering a chair or creating a small painting. Working for Proven fuels that fire and allows me to challenge my creativity. With each client that I meet, I am able to explore a new style unique to them. I love detailed design, specifically working in our software systems to bring to life the design. Stepping into the role of designer has been exciting; I have created beautiful spaces for wonderful people at Proven, and I am excited to see who we will meet next!
My fun fact: I love having plants in my home and in my office. I collect rainwater to water my plants naturally. I enjoy the extra pups/ suckers my aloe plant gifts me!
Mario Provenzola - Chief Operations Officer
Mario is married to our chief cook and bottle washer. His focus is working behind the scenes to ensure product is received and delivered timely. You will see him at your projects, checking in orders, delivering materials, and working with our installation crews. Proven often receives freight directly to ensure that we do not have damages through third-party distribution. Each project that we build has approx. 300 plus moving parts and orders. That's a lot to track! Thankfully, we count on Mario to get most of that freight to its destination with ease. When Mario is not hard at work he loves to spend time with his family. He loves to just be home, which is a challenge when there is a business to help manage and kids with so. many. activities.
Danielle Franz - Office Manager
Growth-focused and innovative, Danielle Franz is a talented leader who came to us from the healthcare industry, uniquely we have found that processes are more alike than one would think! Many of Danielle's practices have elevated our standards and capacity. As Studio Manager, Danielle is responsible for our team's schedules, finances, and communication. We love that Danielle pushes us to be the client-focused staff that we are and that she strives for excellence. She is always looking for creative and innovative ways to grow and expand our business.
Danielle moved to Dexter 4 days before extreme weather hit our tiny city with the Tornado in 2012, and she has made a permanent home in the community ever since. She began her career at Proven part-time on evenings and weekends; slowly but surely, we realized we couldn't function without her. Danielle is a mom to four kiddos (she is a dreadnaught through and through) who are all going through the Dexter school system. She is our resident flower enthusiast! Danielle has a beautiful vegetable garden and yardscape at her own home, and her hibiscus in the summer is prize-worthy.
You will find Danielle most days offering our guest a specialty coffee, answering the phone at Proven, scheduling all of our appointments, and ensuring that day to day finances are being met. We are honored to have her husband Ed Franz also work for Proven, doing many of our small projects and backsplashes. Together they are responsible for our delicious baked goods we share for community events and open houses. Our favorite is by far the carrot cake!