My love of art and enthusiasm for design led me to a job as a Design Director at Martha Stewart Living. During my ten years with the company, I designed and developed Martha Stewart branded product for partnerships with Kmart, Sears, Macy’s, Home Depot, and Grandin Road (Frontgate).

I spent the following six years as Creative Director for Alene Candles, a premium candle manufacturer, where I established a private-label business. I built the company’s first creative team from the ground up, and oversaw the design of product, packaging and identities for brands, licenses and retailers from luxury to mass market.

As Creative Director of PartyLite, an international direct-selling company of home décor, fragrance, candles and wax distributed in 21 countries across North America, Europe and Asia, I set global creative strategy, development and execution of all worldwide creative.

In 2016, I established Karen Mainenti Design, and began consulting with companies in need of creative direction, brand strategy, packaging design, and product development.