Chrissy Haney Scheimreif '16, Political Science and Sociology

A piece of often-given career advice is to choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. That is easier said than done, of course. But Chrissy Haney Scheimreif '16 discovered that finding a truly fulfilling career is possible if you are willing to embrace a journey with twists and turns, guided by your heart and gut.

In 2023, Scheimreif launched Highland Design by Chrissy, a Lewisburg interior design firm that creates beautiful and functional spaces for homeowners and business owners.

"I have always loved art and design," Scheimreif says. "I was always the person who friends and family members would reach out to when they were redecorating or remodeling their homes. It was just a fun, passive hobby. When I decided to see if I could turn it into a career, it was a big, scary leap of faith."

Fortunately, Scheimreif had prior experience landing on her feet. At Bucknell, the political science and sociology double-major was firmly set on pursuing law school — until a candid conversation with her then-boyfriend, now-husband Jesse Scheimreif '16, prompted her to reassess her plans.

"He said, 'It doesn't seem like you are enjoying the track you are on. It doesn't seem like what you love is represented here in what you are studying. I wonder if you'll be happy in a law career,' " says Scheimreif, who now realizes her legal aspirations were rooted in parental expectations rather than personal passions.

It was in a Bucknell sociology class that she felt things align. "It was like I had an awakening," she says. "We learned about educational disparities in different parts of the country, and it really interested me. When a representative from Teach for America came to campus, I decided to jump in with both feet."

She spent five years with the program, teaching seventh-grade math at a charter school in Boston, a demanding and emotionally intensive job. "I worked a minimum of 50 hours a week and did home visits for each student," she says. "I became very invested in my students. It was hard but very meaningful work."

When she became pregnant with her second child in March 2020, it prompted Scheimreif to pause and reflect again. "We had good jobs, but we were just grinding," she says. "We realized we wanted a different environment and change of pace for raising our kids." So in 2021, the Scheimreifs returned to Lewisburg, where Jesse grew up, enabling them to be closer to family while also enjoying the benefits of small-town living.

When the pandemic began to retreat, Scheimreif started thinking about her next move. Should she continue to be a stay-at-home mom? Should she return to teaching? Or should she see if she could turn her design hobby into a career?

On a lark, she applied for a kitchen designer position at Lowe's home improvement store. She got the job and promptly started what she calls "college 2.0."

"I had so much to learn," she says. "I had never used any kind of design software before, so it was a steep learning curve. Every night, I'd stay up late reading manuals and workbooks, teaching myself how to do it. But I loved it, and it made me realize that this is what I wanted to do."

When Lewisburg Mayor Kendy Alvarez '06 saw her friend's fulfillment, she encouraged Scheimreif to take things to the next level. Alvarez connected her with Bucknell's Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which helps aspiring entrepreneurs develop thriving businesses.

"There were so many things I needed to figure out that went beyond just understanding design," she says. "Without the SBDC, I would've gotten discouraged along the way. [SBDC business consultant] Amber Amato de Guerrero walked me through all the stages of launching a business. Sometimes I felt it was impossible, and I was like 'Is this normal? Am I doing something wrong?' She always reassured me and helped me stay on track."

Today, Scheimreif runs Highland Design by Chrissy from her Lewisburg home office/studio. Drawing upon her innate creativity and attention to detail, she works with clients to transform their spaces into personalized reflections of style and functionality.

"I'm lucky I had the opportunity to do this," she says. "Taking a big risk to follow my dream wouldn't have been possible without the support I had."