Maria Isabel Barrero is the founder and owner of Spaces 2 Love in North Little Rock. Drawing from her family’s woodworking heritage, Barrero seeks to explore matter and its transformation in her artistic work. Using wood, ceramics, and paint, she creates furniture, pottery, and visual art intended to beautify living spaces.
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Barrero was an exchange student at North Little Rock High School in 1995. In 2000, she earned a degree in Architecture from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá. She lived in Montréal, Canada, for several years before returning to Colombia where she worked in the construction industry as an architect, designer, project manager, and manufacturer. She produced a wide range of woodworks and other items for use in construction.
In 2016, Barrero received a certification in house-coaching, which combines interior design with life coaching in an attempt to bring order, well-being, and authentic storytelling into people’s homes.
Barrero returned to North Little Rock in 2017, and five years later founded Spaces 2 Love, which offers house-coaching services and handcrafted art pieces intended to create ideal living environments.
Barrero began receiving assistance from the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) and Arkansas Business Navigator (ABN) program in the summer of 2021.
Navigator Specialist Tania Martínez Chávez assisted Barrero in registering her company with the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office, applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS, obtaining permits and licenses, providing market research data, and organizing the company’s budget and financial structure.
“I want to thank Tania for all her help,” Barrero said. “The information that she is providing me with has improved my performance and the possibilities for growth and expansion are becoming clear with her assistance and beautiful energy.”
As Barrero continues to grow Spaces 2 Love, demand for the services and expertise it provides has increased.
