We were lucky to catch up with Dezjah Hutchins recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dezjah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
If I were starting over, I would for starters invest more of my time into the concept of learning design and the history behind different textures, patterns, and finishes in which complete a home. I decided to study Business and Fashion Merchandise in college which gave me a broad sample of what goes into design but not the base knowledge needed to fully conduct my own designs from scratch. If I can change anything it would be choosing my first mind and studying Interior Design in college with a Business minor so that the things I know now became easier 4 years ago. I can definitely say utilizing my social media platforms and campus friends to help promote my business could have helped me advance in my career with less capital. Sometimes it’s about utilizing all your resources, and if I could change any other aspect of my career it would be just that!
Dezjah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am an Entrepreneur with 3 Businesses named Dézjah Monique Collections, Twenty 4 Appeal, and The Painting Lab which specializes in Art, Interior Design, as well as Paint Classes! These businesses originated from an indecisive college student trying to find something different to put in her dorm. Never in a million years did she know that room decor would be her life changing moment to success! I believe my customer service and work sets me apart from a lot of business owners and artists in my industry. I believe in making my clients have a surreal but amazing experience when booking. Interior design is not easy and takes a lot of practice and time to make sure the clients home feels like a true home. So I can definitely say within my time doing Interior Design, that I am most proud of my ability to transform a space immediately and create beautiful living environments with no set ideas or themes. Just full creative ability to freely express myself and ideas. Design is about creating this aesthetically pleasing place, but as artist I see it as my canvas to paint. Being able to transform spaces and please my clients simply keeps me happy and this business afloat! I wouldn’t be here today honestly without the continuous support over the years from my clients and their trust in me to execute their vision!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn while operating my business was profit being the first goal and everything else comes after. Money can be a good factor to motivate you but behind my industry passion should be the leading motivator because if you aren’t passionate about what you’re doing, you won’t put out your best work. The money will always be there, but substantial loyal clients won’t be if it’s the only thing keeping you driven. I have personally seen the difference in my design boards when I half did designs because I just needed the money, versus me producing effortless design work for clients because I was truly passionate about the project.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Yes my side hustle of designing and painting has become my Full time career! This side hustle began when I was a freshman in college. At the time, money was very tight and I was a broke college student just trying to figure out how to eat anything but the cafe food lol. I had to rely on painting on the side or giving Pinterest ideas on room decor to dorm mates to get some chump change. As time progressed, I decided over the summer each year until graduation to start interning for different Interior Designers and Design firms to gain experience within the field. These internships became key milestones in my journey because no one wanted to give a young black girl with no background experience a real chance to learn what it’s like to be thrown to the wolves and quickly decipher what the end result will be. Well thankfully those jobs I did have instilled the key principles of the foundation needed to do interior design and has now become my full time career. As an entrepreneur and my own boss, I’m now able to create my own foundation for clients and return the favor or teaching other young girls the keys to the industry!
Contact Info:
- Website: Dezjahmoniquecollections.com
- Instagram: Twenty4appeal