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

Jess, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job

Take Accountability!

I was once task to send a state wide customer satistaction survey throughout Michigan, it was an honor and a BIG responsibility, I was the youngest women on my team, so I wanted desperately to “get it right” – I was charged with coming up with the questions on the survey, what the measurment of success was, etc. My Vice President of our region believed in ME!

I spent countless hours scrubbing the survey to make it right, I had several co-workers proof it for me to check for spelling errors, or any other mistakes; looked good! Mailer went out to every AT&T customer throughout Michigan (this was before the days of internet!)…Well…I had the survey dated 1998, when it should have read 1999!

My VP – John, called me into his office and very much like a young school girl being called into the principles office, my feeling of letting him down was overwhelming, He asked “Jess, what happened?” Immediately, I went into “blame” mode “I had Kathy, Sherri and several others proof it before I sent it out – They didn’t catch it either” I explained. John sternly, yet professionally stopped me (before I embarrassed myself further) and stated “Jess, I am going to give you advice, when charged with an important responsibility, YOU are accountable, YOU are responsible, no matter who else might be involved.” This was over 25 years ago and to this day it rings more true than ever!

Jess, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a General Contractor/Interior Designer who set out to change the way remodeling is done in West Michigan. It can be done with ethics, with enthusiasm and FUN! I also have a home decor retail shop, selling linens, lighting, flooring and so much more!

Why is Delight In Designs different? We have our own crew, a talented crew that can demo, frame, and finish, they have over 125 years collectively and show up on time, care about your home and most importatly care that you have a great experience with us!

I set out to allow my clients to “Love Their Home” (our tag line) and I mean it, it isn’t about what we as designers think it should look like, it isn’t about trends – what do you LOVE? and let’s make that part of your home’s story. Do you travel?have hobbies? children? Let’s work together to find unique, classy ways to incorporate those things into your decor.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Let’s face it, I own a retail shop – NOBODY just “shops” anymore, so I knew I had to come up with a way where I could have my little shop on the corner AND a HUGE “side hustle” my side hustle is actually the muscle behind my business and truly where my passion lies, I love the shop, it is fun to have a customer come in and select beautiful things for their home, but the DESIGN/BUILD part of my business is where we make our money, it is where our clients start to love their home. If I would have just opened up my shop – we would be out of business.

My brick and motar shop competes with Amazon, Wayfare and the many other online shops out there, I get it, online is convenient, but I have client after client tell me “I need to see it, touch it, feel it” that is what Delight In Designs provides, an experience to see/feel/touch so you know what you are buying! – I am holding out for those that belive in quality and look to a knowledgable staff vs. disposable furnishings and return after return.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

As Aretha Franklen so boisterly sang R-E-S-P-E-C-T! I once read a quote “A team isn’t one who works well together it is a group of people that respect and trust each other.” As a female general contractor, you would think I would be challenged by my carpenter crew, testing me to see what I know – They don’t. In turn, I include them in team meetings, host one on one’s and value their imput. I am forever stating this isn’t MY business, this is our business. Designers, carpenters, project managers and marketing all desire to push the business forward – I couldn’t ask for more!

It is exciting to see the growth, we are currently in the middle of remodeling our new shop – tripling in size; my entire team is excited about this next step, excited to see where we can reach for 2023 – We all share the same enthusiasm of endless possibilites!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.delightindesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delightindesigns_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delightindesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-forst/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fT2M_igxQ3pg727hb6hIA/featured
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/delight-in-designs-grand-rapids

Image Credits
Troy VanLangen – Above The Horizon Media