For many early stage founders, the path into entrepreneurship does not begin with a business plan. It begins with a gap. A gap in opportunity. A gap in access. A gap between talent and traction.

For Moonlight Design Collective, that gap was clear. Recent graduates in interior architecture had the skills, but not the industry experience firms demanded. Instead of waiting for permission, they chose to build their own opportunity.

In this Startup Story, we heard from Nina Isabelle Onia, cofounder of Moonlight Design Collective and first place Catalyst winner at Startup Challenge Fall 2025, to discuss building traction as a recent graduate, testing a real idea in one weekend, and what it takes to move from portfolio to paying clients.

From Drawing Backgrounds to Designing Spaces

What initially drew you to architecture and design, and how did that interest begin to shift toward wanting to build something of your own?

Nina: I drew a lot when I was a kid. Adding a background or some props to a drawing let me come up with backstories for the characters I drew. I chose to study interior architecture because I was fascinated by the idea that my drawings could become a tangible environment for people to enjoy living in. I also liked how collaborative the profession is. I can work with other designers to brainstorm designs together. I can discuss material and furniture options with suppliers. Even if I work alone, I can sit down with my client to discuss exactly how they want their home to be renovated. And so I got my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from Sacramento State in Spring 2024.

Aspiring interior designers and architects like me have it rough with the current job market. We don’t have the experience to qualify for work at a firm. Well-established designers in a firm don’t have the time to train lower-level applicants when they’re already busy with larger projects. I want the Moonlight Design Collective to motivate and inspire recent graduates like me to put their passion and skills to work by starting small.

Turning an Idea Into a Collective

Can you share how the idea for The Moonlight Design Collective came together and what stage the idea is in today?

Nina: The idea began with my former professor, Jeff Nokkeo. His idea was to give recent graduates a chance to develop their skills and expand their portfolios through small renovation projects. Jeff pitched the idea during the Startup Challenge Fall 2024. No other participant backed the idea then. Shortly after the competition, Jeff reconnected with me, some of my classmates from Sacramento State, and some of his former students from American River College that winter. It had been about half a year since we graduated, and some of us were unlucky in finding entry-level work. Jeff pitched the idea to us, and we all wanted to see it through. But asking family members if they wanted their houses remodelled wasn’t enough. We had to test the idea in the Startup Challenge Fall 2025. Me, Jeff, Nolan Gonzalez, and Alejandro Galarza spent the weekend looking for supporters and testing hypotheses. We asked small businesses in Midtown Sacramento if they would ever let recent graduates of Sac State’s interior architecture program renovate their spaces. We asked some Sac State students if they were interested in joining a design startup after they graduate. Our testing showed interest. The small business owners who showed the most interest were told that we charge less for renovations than bigger firms. All this testing brought us the win for the Catalyst category. I’d like to thank Julinh Lam, Tzvi Weber, and Diana Seubert for helping us develop our idea that weekend.

tMDC was named after the concept of moonlighting. While some of us have day jobs as interns or showroom designers, we meet at night (or on weekends) to develop this startup. We offer design services for space plans, material boards, architectural drawings, and 3D renders. We call ourselves a collective because we combine our individual skillsets to form a design unit. A client can work with any of us based on what their project needs. For example, I can help a client who wants to review material options in a simple presentation. If that client wants to view the materials in 3D, another cohort can join the team to make a 3D model.

We at tMDC are gradually finding work today. We’ve designed renovations for bedrooms, bathrooms, office spaces, and for Chez Luc’s French Cafe. When we aren’t designing projects, we’re designing for competitions to make some more money. We still haven’t earned enough to make a profit. But we earn enough to be compensated for our work. Now that we know there’s interest in what we do, we’re focusing on branding and advertising. The latter will be through a website and a social media presence.

The Reality of Entering the Industry

As a recent graduate and student founder, what has been the most challenging part of trying to enter this industry or start something new?

Nina: The most challenging part about entering this industry is finding someone willing to give me a chance. This industry now demands that designers, architects, and project managers have several years of experience to back up their skill sets. I’m in this weird in-between space as a recent graduate. I can’t get an entry-level job because I have no professional experience. I also can’t get an internship because I’m no longer a student. If I can’t find a mentor capable of training me, I have to find the work myself. Now, I post and repost as much as I can on LinkedIn to keep my achievements circulating. I reach out to other former professors and classmates to see what work they’re up to. I keep practicing in my design programs to keep my muscle memory sharp. As tedious as it may be to wait, I have to work on what I can now so I can be qualified later. And tMDC is full of cohorts who want to give each other a chance and find opportunities together.

What Startup Challenge Changed

How did participating in Startup Challenge shape your perspective on entrepreneurship and your confidence as a founder?

Nina: The Startup Challenge taught me how much effort entrepreneurs put into their ideas. But the effort should go towards work that will cultivate the idea. I can’t just go door-to-door every day and ask every homeowner who answers if they want me to remodel their bathroom. I could waste time and energy doing that. There has to be a strategy for how I pitch my services. I have to test the market to avoid wasting resources on an unsuccessful advertising campaign. Even if I find the right strategy, I would have to readjust whenever the market changes.

My confidence as a cofounder wavered throughout the Startup Challenge. It was extremely reassuring to know that people outside of Sacramento view tMDC as a win-win for the cohorts and for clients. But the testing was pretty stressful. Calling restaurants didn’t work. Several restaurants didn’t have their owners at the establishment and told us to call back later. I was worried that tMDC was unfeasible. I was especially worried that I couldn’t find any work. But the interviews in the latter half of the competition helped me understand how valuable our services can be. There are local businesses that would like a touch-up to their interiors. Some owners see us at tMDC as a small business that can thrive if we’re given the chance to grow. If I had given up Saturday afternoon, I wouldn’t have gotten that reassurance Sunday morning.

Applying the Lesson Immediately

What was one key lesson or takeaway from Startup Challenge that you are already applying to your idea or thinking about for the future?

Nina: I’ll never know how much (or how little) interest there is in my services unless I ask someone if they’re willing to buy what I’m offering. Well-established design firms already have a website or a social media presence to keep them afloat. But when I just started, all I had to show were my studio projects from Sac State. I couldn’t get any work if I just waited for someone to offer me a project. I had to go around and ask some locals. Some local restaurants in Midtown Sacramento weren’t interested either because they recently moved in, or they were content with their current foot traffic. A few were interested in tMDC’s services. We hope to contact them again later this year to redesign their main dining spaces.

Advice for Early Stage Founders

For other students or early stage founders who are still in the idea phase, what advice or encouragement would you offer based on your experience so far?

Nina: Don’t let failure or unclear results stop you from pursuing an idea. If your current idea doesn’t work, figure out what’s wrong and pivot. Learning what doesn’t work can be just as helpful as learning what does work. If the idea is too vague, get specific with what you have to offer or who your ideal client is.

It also helps to get advice from people who aren’t professionals in your field. That sounds counterintuitive, but it helped during my time in the Startup Challenge. Julinh, Tzvi, and Diana had little knowledge of architecture or interior design. But their perspectives from the outside looking in made me realize how little our initial pitch spoke to potential clients. Our interview questions pivoted from gauging interest in renovations to understanding if, when, or why a business owner would like to renovate their establishment at a lower cost.

Ready to Test Your Own Idea?

Startup Challenge Spring 2026 is a three-day, hands-on experience designed for early stage entrepreneurs, students, and aspiring founders who want to move from idea to action. Taking place April 10–12 at the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Sacramento State, this high-energy weekend is focused on doing, not just talking. Participants form teams around new ideas, test assumptions with real customers, refine their business models, and present to judges for cash prizes. You do not need prior business experience or even an idea to participate. You simply need the willingness to learn by doing and to commit fully to the weekend. RSVP fir Startup Challenge here. 

Key Details

  • Dates: April 10–12
  • Location: Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Sacramento State
  • Format: 3-day experiential startup event
  • Who Can Join: Anyone 18+ (no idea or experience required)
  • What You’ll Do: Pitch, form teams, validate, pivot, and present
  • Prizes: Cash awards and recognition
  • Early Bird (before Feb 28): $25 students | $75 general
  • Regular Pricing: $35 students | $99 general
  • Ticket Includes: Meals, snacks, coffee, and a Startup Challenge t-shirt
  • Info Sessions (Zoom):

Wrap Up

Moonlight Design Collective is proof that traction does not require permission. It requires action.

If you are sitting on an idea, unsure whether anyone would care, the only way to know is to test it. One weekend can change your perspective, your confidence, and possibly your trajectory.

The next Startup Challenge is your opportunity to find out.

Interested in more Startup Stories? Check them out here.