We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenny McDonald. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenny below.

Jenny, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?

School gave me a great starting point and taught me a lot of practical and technical skills, but the one thing that isn’t possible to learn until experienced is how to manage relationships and work with all those involved throughout the design process. This brings me to the most important lesson I learned at my previous job: how to work with people.
This may include clients, contractors/sub-contractors, co-workers and other Interior Designers.

Jenny, 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?

Born in Wisconsin, moved to Utah when I was young. My mom was incredibly creative. If Pinterest was a person in the 80’s and 90’s she would be that person. She passed her creative freedom to me and my siblings. She would go to the grocery store and upon coming home all of us occupied a different bedroom. As an adult I still continue to move furniture around every few months.

I was married in 2007, had my first baby in 2009. My older sister and I started a handbag company in 2011 called Anina K. named after her daughter. This was my first taste of design, working with soft materials, manufacturing both domestic and abroad, and working with high end retail. We employed stay at home moms, and highlighted a non profit named V-Day. We closed down a few years later after our own priorities shifted.

After staying at home and having three of my kids I wanted to change things up. I decided to attend Weber State University’s Interior Design program. During my last year at WSU I worked for at NWL Architects in Salt Lake City, UT. where I got experience in the commercial field working on religious buildings.
After graduation, I got a job at Thayer Design Build in Corvallis, Oregon. I worked with another interior designer for the majority of my time there until I was running design on my own with help my team. I love the design build model because it creates an environment of collaboration and learning. I also found that I enjoy working with residential clients directly because the space that I’m designing ends up affecting their lives more than a commercial space. They create memories, build relationships, and ultimately hold their home in their hearts, and that is so rewarding to be part of.

At the end of 2023 I quit my job and started my own design business, Sonder Designs. Residential Design is my focus, however I also have some projects on my wait list that are commercial and historical restoration.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Respect your team!! Recognize the people you work with are there for a reason and they are the experts in their job. As much as an Interior Designer needs to know about plumbing, I’m not a plumber! Make sure your subs understand that you know that and respect and value their experience. If you have developed a rapport with them, check in with them to review a design before presenting it to a client. And if you haven’t developed a rapport with them…that’s a great way to develop a rapport.

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

I believe my reputation is based on my communication. I make sure to give everyone involved (contractors, subs, clients etc.) a voice. Of course there’s hardly a job where something doesn’t creep up and go a little sideways. But if that communication is already established, usually problems are quickly solved.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sonder-designs.com
• Other: Because my business is new, my website is under construction. Stay tuned.