Happy Thursday! Today’s CoChic Cool Chick is a new friend of mine, Jennifer James, owner and lead designer at Jennifer James Interiors. As I’ve said before, interior design is my second love, and fashion and interiors have so much in common! Which is why I love connecting with interior designers to pick their brains about their businesses and ogle over the photos of their projects on Instagram. 🙂 Read on to learn about Jennifer James Interiors and be sure to check out her social media for inspiration!

If you are new to CoChic Cool Chicks, welcome! CoChic Cool Chicks is an interview series, featuring inspirational women entrepreneurs who I am lucky enough to have in my girl boss network. These women are doing great things and whether you aspire to be an entrepreneur or not, I hope that they inspire you to do great things, too. I encourage you to check out their businesses, websites, and social media. And reach out to them, ask them questions, say hello. They’d love to hear from you!

Tell us about your business!

Jennifer James Interiors is located in Chicago but handles projects across the country from NYC to LA and has completed one project in London!

Follow us on: Instagram at jenniferjamesinteriors and Pinterest at jenniferjamesid.

What made you decide to start your own business?

I did not intend to start my own business as early as I did, but having my own business was always a goal of mine.  I wanted to create my own business to be able to work with my own style, my own inspiration, and to build personal spaces for my clients to adore and appreciate for years after the project ends.  While I recognized the need to learn the trade under experienced designers, and would have liked more time learning, I also recognized a need in me.  The need I recognized was to design under my own vision, not another designer’s aesthetic.

Who is your ideal client?

I usually know right away when meeting a new client if the project is right for me.  I enjoy working with clients who not only have an interesting design project, but who are enjoyable, successful, open minded individuals.  Designing a home is an intimate process that goes back and forth between client and designer before it is completed and it is important to have a good relationship with your client for the project to succeed!

What got you interested in interior design?

I had a passion for interior design from a young age, if I didn’t know any better I would almost say it was an innate passion.  My mother tells me I would complement her friend’s drapery or furniture at the tender age of 3.  For Christmas, I would ask for a new window valance or pillows.  I was always sketching, taking art classes, visiting museums, watching old movies that had great style (Pillow Talk anyone?), and paying attention not only to interiors, but also to fashion design.  When I started thinking about careers and work it was clear to me that designing interiors was something I had to do.

What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?

Meeting a challenge and constantly learning and growing make being an entrepreneur exciting. Every time I take on a new project I have to pinch myself that I am able to be designing under my own design firm.  A home is, to many people, one of the most important possessions in someone’s life; to have the opportunity to shape it and make it into something they love is a responsibility that is never lost on me.

What is the most challenging aspect of being an entrepreneur?

The most challenging aspect, sadly, are the taxes and accounting aspects of owning a business, the never ending sense that these unimportant items are done perfectly takes away from the joy of creating – I guess that is why I am not an accountant!

What has been the proudest moment in your business so far?

My proudest moment has been seeing my clients’ faces radiate with excitement after they see their completed space for the first time.  The design process can take a while.  As a result, feelings fluctuate throughout the process; sensing the love the client’s feel at the completed project is magnificent.

What is your best piece of business advice?

If you are starting a business, make sure it is a business in something that you love to do.  Many businesses will fail, many will succeed, but if you are doing what you love then you at least spent your time doing something that you love.

Do you have any tricks of the trade you could share with us?

People are always asking me for design tips for their homes.  One that I will pass along is to mix old and new, try to buy pieces that have soul!

How would you describe your personal style?

When I design a space I tailor the room to my client’s style, but do so through my own aesthetic. My style fluctuates from project to project as clients’ tastes are unique and I am designing the home to be something that they love; however, doing so I prioritize making the space timeless with variation in style and influence, but always done with an edge and a touch of whimsy.  I love fashion design and often draw influence from the lines of a dress or a feeling I get from a great collection.  In the end, interior design is just fashion for your home!

What does being CoChic (comfortably chic) mean to you?

Being comfortably chic to me means designing spaces that are not only stunning, but most importantly functional and livable.  As someone who has designed for individuals and families, take solace in knowing you can have a room that marries function with style.

Anything else you’d like to share?

If I could give advice to anyone looking to get into interior design, it would be to complete as many quality internships as possible, to trust yourself, and to never stop studying great design of the past.