We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jaime Elkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jaime, appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?

Before starting my interior design business, I worked in the advertising industry as an art director and graphic designer. During my time at various ad agencies, I learned several invaluable lessons that have carried into my journey as a business owner.

One of the most important lessons I took away from my corporate job is the significance of providing an incredible client experience. Setting expectations from the beginning is crucial for gaining client trust. I ensure that confidence in our process, next steps, and how we work is always discussed upfront. This approach ensures the client and I are a good fit for each other and sets the tone for a successful relationship.

Another key aspect of creating a great client experience is making sure every single document is branded and aesthetically pleasing. Instead of sending out plain word documents, our proposals are well-designed, detailed, branded documents that are both informative and reflective of the effort we put into our work. Everything the client receives should feel luxurious and well thought out.

Jaime, 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?

From a young age, I was interested in being in the creative industry. My interests fluctuated between architecture, art direction, and interior design. Recognizing my talent and passion for art, my parents and grandparents supported me by enrolling me in art lessons and ensuring I had a steady supply of art supplies! My grandmother is a very talented artist and I am so inspired by her. Their encouragement laid the foundation for my creative pursuits.

I pursued an interior design degree in college but eventually switched majors, earning a degree in Fine Art and Advertising from Florida State University. This shift led to exciting roles in the creative side of the advertising industry, where I served as a graphic designer, fine artist, and art director. I had the privilege of working on national ad campaigns, designing commercial sets, and working with really talented creatives!

While working full-time in advertising, my (now) husband and I dedicated our evenings, weekends, and savings to breaking into the real estate market. We renovated homes ourselves, which rekindled my love for interior design. I was fascinated not only by aesthetics but also by how spaces function, affect daily life, and maximize renovation potential.

I developed a strong passion for spatial planning, transformation, and kitchen and cabinetry design. I immersed myself in learning everything about floor plans, construction documents, electrical, plumbing, and building materials. In April 2019, I left the advertising world and started my interior design studio, Elkins Interiors.

Since founding Elkins Interiors, I have had the opportunity to work on incredible renovations, beautiful new construction projects, and create unique custom details for wonderful clients. My goal is to help clients reimagine their homes and create spaces that function better and look stunning. I take pride in creating unique solutions – I love hearing that “I never would’ve thought of that!” reaction from clients.

Our design process involves comprehensive spatial planning and providing a complete look, including selections of finishes, lighting, countertops, tile, and more. Each design presentation features 3D renderings to help clients visualize the new space and its cohesive elements. My background as an artist and graphic designer grants me a unique perspective on scale, composition, and color theory, which, combined with my expertise in cabinetry, floor plans, and construction, ensures seamless and successful project execution.

The construction process can be challenging—stressful and seemingly endless at times—but I am here to ease that burden for my clients. I am on the job site weekly, providing guidance, troubleshooting issues, and keeping clients updated throughout the process. Typically, I work with clients for around 12 to 18 months. While it’s always hard to see a project come to an end (I love my clients so much!), there’s nothing quite like witnessing the joy and excitement on my clients’ faces when they see the final result. I truly love what I do and I am grateful for the trust from my clients.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The construction industry is all about trust, communication, and teamwork. With many moving parts and various trades coming together, a successful renovation or new construction project hinges on seamless collaboration. I pride myself on maintaining open communication with our clients, builders, and tradespeople to ensure the project progresses smoothly.

Providing this level of experience makes my clients and tradespeople want to work with us. My studio is ultimately here to create great plans and ensure they’re executed properly. This requires a lot of communication and openness throughout the project. This commitment has given my studio a stellar reputation not only with clients but also with builders, trades, and architects.

These comprehensive steps are designed to create an excellent client experience while supporting our builders and tradespeople. This approach has been integral to our studio’s success and makes others want to work with my design studio.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I am proud to say that Elkins Interiors receives most of our new clients from referrals! Almost all of our new business comes from past clients, builders, and architects. I am overjoyed to have built a business that continues to provide positive experiences for our clients and trade partners.

When I relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2021, my business was less than two years old. I didn’t know anyone in the industry and needed to grow my business locally. Rather than competing for space on social media, I decided to focus on in-person networking, despite my initial reluctance. I met with anyone who would talk with me, attended industry events, and gradually built a wonderful network of industry partners.

This effort paid off not only in the form of referrals but also in becoming part of an incredible community. The community-over-competition mentality in Charlotte has made building my business much easier and more enjoyable. Being surrounded by supportive industry partners has been instrumental in our continued success and growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elkins-interiors.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elkins.interiors/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-elkins-7b12a02b1/

Image Credits

Easterday Creative, Heather Ison Photography, Anastasia Alkema Photography, Katelyn Rose Photos