Community Highlights: Meet Mary Atchley of Walk Your Plans Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Atchley

Hi Mary, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Before Mark and I launched Walk Your Plans Atlanta, we both had successful careers in the corporate world, working in marketing and client management. In April 2024, everything changed when I came across a video about Walk Your Plans, a company based in Cleveland, Ohio. The concept immediately resonated with me, and I knew I wanted to bring it to Atlanta.

The very next day, I called the founder, and before I knew it, Mark and I were on a plane to Cleveland to meet the team. The moment we stepped into their flagship location, we both knew this was the path we wanted to take. A few weeks later, we got the call confirming that we’d been awarded the Atlanta territory, and from that point on, it’s been full speed ahead.

We worked quickly to get everything in place and bring this incredible concept to life in Atlanta. It’s been a whirlwind, but we couldn’t be more excited about the journey we’re on.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Opening a new business is not for the faint of heart, but now that I’ve gotten a taste of entrepreneurship, I’m not sure I can ever go back. Building something of your own is a whole new level of investment—financially, emotionally, and in terms of time. Unlike anything I’ve experienced before, every decision feels personal, every success is so deeply rewarding, and every challenge seems like a new test of resilience. It’s a constant balancing act, but the growth—both for the business and yourself—makes it all worth it.

When it gets tough and you’re in the day-to-day grind of growing something new, celebrating every small win is essential—it really fuels your motivation and reminds you why you started. But just as important is learning to let go of setbacks quickly. Each one is a lesson, not a roadblock, and staying focused on the bigger picture is what keeps you moving forward. For every challenge we’ve faced we’ve gotten twice the encouragement from our network and positive feedback from clients.

As you know, we’re big fans of Walk Your Plans Atlanta. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re revolutionizing the way clients interact with their floor plans by offering a truly immersive experience. Instead of relying solely on paper blueprints or 3D renders, we allow clients to visualize their designs in true scale—actually stepping into a life-sized version of their plans. This gives them a perspective that’s simply unmatched, helping them understand the space in a completely new way.

This approach also accelerates decision-making. When clients can see and feel their layouts and designs in real scale, they make faster, more confident choices about layouts, finishes, and other details. This keeps projects on track and reduces delays.

Another huge advantage is the ability to minimize costly revisions. By identifying potential issues early in the process, we help clients avoid expensive, last-minute changes during construction. This leads to smoother, more efficient project execution.

Ultimately, this technology boosts client satisfaction. By giving them the opportunity to “experience” their home or space before it’s built, we’re able to strengthen trust and foster stronger relationships between architects, builders, designers and their clients.

In such a competitive market, offering this innovative service also allows professionals in the commercial and residential spaces to differentiate themselves as leaders who embrace cutting-edge tools to enhance the client experience. It’s a standout advantage for builders, architects, and designers alike.

Lastly, our showroom enables seamless collaboration. Working side-by-side with clients in a dynamic and interactive way ensures every detail aligns perfectly with their vision, making the process more engaging and productive for everyone involved.

We take pride in being a trusted partner where people feel confident sending their clients. Our goal is to provide unparalleled customer service and ensure a premium, seamless experience every step of the way.

You can always count on us to answer the phone—or return calls promptly if we’re assisting another client—and to respond quickly to emails. We believe in engaging personally with every client, building genuine relationships that go beyond transactions.

We’re also deeply committed to our local business and professional communities. By staying actively involved, we gain valuable insights into how we can better serve and add value to the people who rely on us.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My personal and professional success is the result of the incredible support and guidance I’ve received from so many people. Two individuals who stand out are my former managers, Sara and Tamika. To this day, I regularly seek their advice and rely on their insights. During my corporate journey, these remarkable women played pivotal roles in my growth. They challenged me to improve when I fell short, taught me how to excel in my role, and championed me in rooms where I didn’t yet have a seat at the table. Their support was instrumental in shaping the career I have today.

On a personal level, Mark and I are incredibly fortunate to have a strong network of friends and family who have rallied around us as we’ve embarked on opening our business. They’ve stepped in to help in countless ways—taking care of our dogs during those long 15-hour workdays, bringing home-cooked meals when takeout was all we had time for, and offering the emotional support we needed to navigate the tougher moments. Their generosity and encouragement have been a lifeline during this challenging yet rewarding journey of business ownership.

Finally, we feel incredibly fortunate to have been warmly welcomed by so many in the professional community. Some individuals have gone above and beyond, becoming early adopters and champions of our business. They’ve helped us gain exposure in places we might not have reached on our own.

No matter where we are in five years, we will always be deeply grateful for the generosity of those who made introductions, shared their networks, and played a key role in helping us grow. Their support has been invaluable to our journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.walkyourplansatlanta.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkyourplansnorthatlanta/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563889077770
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WalkYourPlansAtlanta