Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to JILL WHITE. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, JILL thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I would have a different answer up until this past year, 2023 when I got the opportunity to move my office into an incredible 150-year-old church. The church had been vacant for 10 years and had fallen into disrepair. The last tenant was a local production company who had customized the space for their use. We wanted to do the same for our new studio. We designed the space for our needs yet maintained the architecture and amazing features from the original church. We were able to uncover hidden architectural elements that we didn’t even know existed until renovations began. We highlighted those features but still made the aesthetics reflective our brand.

This was such a meaningful project for me because it has shown me how far I have come in my business and life in general. When I graduated as a designer my first job was sitting in a cubicle drawing CAD drawings all day. My first year as JWD I worked out of my home and presented to clients in my dining room. To go from that to working in this incredible space with employees and more than enough room to grow means the world to me. I never dreamed I would have such an incredibly unique workspace.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I received my Bachelors in Interior Design from the University of Arkansas in 2009. My career began working for 2 different architecture firms. After I had my daughter, I decided that I would try my hand at starting my own business. I didn’t want to sit at a desk from 8-5. Little did I know owning your own business means you work 7 days a week instead!! JWD started out of my home helping friends and family members for $35 / hour. My first official office (not in my home) was a shared space with another architect. My intern and I worked there in our one room space. We graduated from that space to our very own office after about a year. I had so much growth at that point I hired 2 employees. About 3 years later is when we got the opportunity to move our office into the church and here we are.
JWD is a full scope interior design firm specializing in high end residential and smaller, more boutique commercial spaces. We pride ourselves on building relationships with our clients, listening to their needs, and making their spaces function for those needs. Our brand is forward thinking, eclectic, incorporates bold patterns, abstract art, high contrast styles.
Our favorite projects are those where we have a hand in from conception. We like to start with the floor plan and do everything in between down to placing the smallest accessory at the end of the project.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Hands down Instagram. The platform connected me with people that I otherwise would not have met. One specific person is an artist who turns her paintings into wallpaper and textiles, Lindsay Cowles. We met via Instagram after I found her on IG and started sourcing her products. Soon thereafter, she hired me to help her with her personal home! She had a pretty large following on social and her promoting / tagging me really helped me gain relevance in my city and took me to the next level. Her first house was published via Architectural Digests’ CLEVER. We are currently collaborating on her second home, which will be published in A Richmond, VA magazine in 2024.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I started my business, I did so to spend more time with my daughter. I was married at the time and he was the primary provider, so I didn’t have to be profitable. Good thing because I was charging $35 and hour!! When we got divorced, I had to go from never paying a bill to paying ALL the bills. I wasn’t even sure if I could afford a house or a car. Having an office space and employees seemed unattainable and scary. Fast forward 5 years and I know I have got this. We have quadrupled our studio space, clientele, and I have 3 full time employees + interns. These past 5 years have taught me so much about myself and helped me gain confidence and the drive to succeed for my daughter and my employees.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jillwhitedesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillwhitedesigns
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jillwhitedesigns/

Image Credits
The kitchen and dining @RettPeek