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

Jerica, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

Creating a social media presence, passive income tools like Amazon storefronts, marketing ads on social, liketoknowit links and other commission based offerings that engage consumers to use their services in a non traditional way. Working smarter rather than harder.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Interiors by J.Michelle, LLC. Was birthed during the pandemic in 2019. I started my brand as a part time business for additional income. By spring 2022 I left my corporate interior design job and became a full time entrepreneur. My offerings include Full service Interior Design packages as well as virtual design packages (edesigns) which are for the more hands on client willing to take up the task of stepping in to pull their spaces together. This offering is the bulk of my business and gives the mid market consumer a custom design experience without additional cost of having the designer onsite.

Building a successful design business is all about establishing an open relationship that is communicated effectively in efforts to gain trust. I make sure that my clients know this going in and by the end of our projects I gain not only a repeat client but a friend as well. I market my brand on social media platforms as Designerblack which started as my design and blog page. On my social media page I share work, client experiences, the lifestyle I have as a designer, design tips and work I have been inspired by.

This year brought some excitement for my business and my Designerblack brand. I was excited to announce I have partnered with Nashville’s favorite Luxury realtor Qui Daugherty to launch a new venture for the both of us called Black Arteriors, a unique home accessories and decor store offering private collection pillows, candles, room sprays and much more. Be sure to stay up to date with our latest brand launches and drops by following all of our social media accounts on IG and Facebook!

@_designerblack
@echelonresidence
@blackarteriors

We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.

The funny thing is my business partner have known each other for only the past 9 months. We met at a networking event and found ourselves talking for hours. We quickly discovered we had a lot of similarities and career goals. We laugh at this all the time because we had an almost instant connection and begin discussing going into business with one another within a couple of months of knowing one another. When people meet us they assume we are sisters or have known each other for years. I think it’s a mindset and drive that made us jump right in and we haven’t looked back yet!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I love this question because it’s very simple to answer. That answer would be like anything in life and that’s consistency. It takes so much effort and energy to be consistent but when you are it can pay off. I don’t have a huge following on my business social media account but I will say about 50% of my business comes from social media and the other 50% comes from referrals. As I mentioned earlier people want relationships with the person they are committing to do a service for them. So they just want to see you as a person, the real authentic you. Create this tone through your post on social media, get comfortable with live content or engaging through polls. Anything that sparks conversation.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_designerblack , @blackarteriors
• Facebook: Designerblack