Trent Hultgren

Hometown: Venice, Calif.

Trent says that before he found success as a design business owner, his life had been on a far different track. Growing up in Winton, Calif., Trent spent much of his childhood working on his family’s cattle farm and attending church. He later earned a degree in theology, but after more than a decade traveling the world as a missionary, Trent says he wanted to learn more about life and explore his dream to be a designer. He taught himself the principles of design and decor and, with hard work and determination, he launched a career as a designer. In business, he adheres to his design philosophy to “tweak” a space by enhancing the existing room design. Trent believes that he has an edge on the competition because, after years as a pastor and world traveler, his ability to genuinely connect with people will help set him apart from the other competitors.

Check out the designs that earned Trent a spot on Design Star »