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

Alright, Jessica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

FOUNDhabitats, How I define FOUNDhabitats and what this means to me and anyone I have the opportunity to collaborate and work with!

My mission statement and what pushing and inspires my in my daily life and work:

To establish a space where you feel FOUND. To exist and be present in your space, allowing yourself to discover your natural home and/or environment.

When I create any space, I thrive on emotion and defining spaces within the space. My styling is thoughtful and meaningful. I guess you could call me a minimalist, but I call it allowing space for the eye to rest and really being able to take in every moment.

Jessica, 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?

Right out of High School is when I knew my career would be something in the creative field. I went to college for drafting, architectural design and gradually started layering in some courses in textile & interior design in the semesters to follow. I become a mother at the age or 23 to my beautiful daughter, Brooklyn Sage and for that moment, my creative journey took a pause and so did my creative career. I went into the restaurant business, waiting tables because it was a way to make quick funds, but found myself longing to be creative. In 1999, I bought my first sewing machine and started sewing all my daughters clothes and creating basic patterns. I had always loved textiles design so playing with patterns, textures, color I found so much joy. In addition to working in the restaurant field I worked a second job at Crate & Barrel, and so it all begins!

I worked at CB for 13 years, from 2000-2013. Starting off my career as a Design Assistant, over the years to follow I worked my way up the cooperate ladder and became a Homestore Designer within a few years. During my career at CB I learned hands on how to design the perfect floorplan, pick to perfect product pairings, managing a team of 50+ employees, planning/opening and closing stores, impactful visual flow and perceptive, prop styling, window display, etc.

Following CB, I took my talents and love for design to West Elm. I was at West Elm from 2013-2017 and held the Visual Manager Position. While at West Elm, I was able to show more of my create side when it came to installations and builds. West Elm always felt like the “Anthropologie” of home to me. I also had the opportunity to travel to the East coast many times for “special” projects and become a mentor to other Visual Mangers. I wanted more and knew that I wanted to work in production. I wanted to see my designs and styling on the cover of catalogs and/or magazines. I wanted to work with director, producers, photographers, etc.

Living Spaces kinda fell into my lap, or at least the opportunity to apply and interview. A friend of my actually recommended me and told me about the opening. I started my career in 2017 with Living Spaces and have never looked back. My current role at Living Spaces is Manager of Production Design. While at Living Spaces, I also started my own freelance prop styling business in 2020, FOUNDhabitats!

So, Manager of Production Design + Freelance Prop Stylist, you ask what that is? My role and functions range from creating compelling design decks, product selections and pairing, set design and builds, scouring props, prop rentals, working with Art Directors, Producers, Directors, Photographers, etc. Creating content for social media, organic and paid, managing a team of other production designers, researching trends, working with merchandising teams, the list go on and on. I have had the honor to work and style for Jeremiah Brent, Nate Berkus, Magnolia Home and the Property Brothers! I have meet so many talented people along the way and have made so lifelong friendships.

As a Freelance Prop Stylist, I have had the opportunity to work with some really amazing interior designers, beautiful properties (commercial and residential), and talented photographers. I have even worked with a performing arts company, selecting and shopping for wardrobe one of their productions. I have a special way of connecting with people through design and my stores. I feel very blessed to be where I am at in my career and also continue to push myself. I am my worst critic. Like every creative you always look for the “next” project. A goal of mine is to work on at least on restaurant design/styling project! I love creating an experience and I feel working on a restaurant project would be the perfect way to do that. Another goal of mine is to design/style out a boutique hotel.

If I had to choose my most “proud” moment, It’s really all about the relationships you gain along the way through design and the impact you have on others around you through your work and the person you are. Looking back through the years at my path and accomplishments is so rewarding and pushes me everyday. I hope I can inspired someone, that anything is possible with hard work, perseverance and passion.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

My best source of new clients has been through word of mouth from either friends, co-workers and/or previous clients.

It is so important to build positive relationships along the way and maintain those relationships organically. I also am active on IG and LinkedIn, reaching out and connecting with people I find inspiring that I would enjoy working with.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I find the best way to keep in touch with clients is either through IG, email or text. I like to “check-in” on previous clients periodically around the holidays, quarterly or when I see they have a new post (business and/or family) related. My “check-in’s” are casual, fun and transparent. Building brand loyalty, is all about being honest and having open communications.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.FOUNDhabitats.com
• Instagram: FOUNDhabitats
• Facebook: Jesse Bolger-Harris (Jesie Michael Harris)
• Linkedin: Jessica Harris