We recently connected with Jonnese Crandol and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonnese, thanks for joining 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?

When I finally decided to start a business, I realized that I didn’t want my business to be my government name. I felt that it by naming my business after myself, I could limit my growth and potential. For example, if I were to expand my business and bring on other interior stylists or designers, some clients may have the expectation that they would work directly with me.

While thinking of a business name, I was also coaching a dance team, and my dancers called me, “Coach Jay.” I also wanted to incorporate my mother’s name in my business somehow, and because I always loved her middle name, I decided to add “Lynn” in my business name. The letter “C” is the first initial of my last name. So, in an around about way, I came up with the name “Jay C. Lynn Interior Designs.”

Interestingly, many clients think my name is Jayclynn. It’s understandable though because my business name on my social media platforms appear as one word (without spaces). However, I prefer to be called, “Jay” or “Jonnese” once I establish a business/personal relationship with my clients.

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

As most entrepreneurs, my journey to starting my own boutique interior styling firm is not conventional. As a child, I was always involved in the arts in some way. For example, I sang, I danced, and actually was (and am) really good at drawing. I recall frequently drawing mini-mansions in my spare time as a child. It’s funny and ironic now that I think about it. I loved visualizing spaces from a very young age.

As I got older, I developed a love for interior design and decorating spaces. While in undergrad at Howard University, I was always so excited to decorate my dorm rooms and apartments! During that time, my friends would often compliment my living spaces, as my living spaces were very sophisticated and chic. Still, I honestly didn’t tap into that creative side because I was extremely focussed on attending law school. I know, right? I went in a totally different direction.

In law school, I would complain to my parents and friends, stating that law school stifled my creative side. I must admit, I enjoy a lot of aspects of the law, but the legal world is often very rigid. I remember even telling my mom during my last year of law school that I did not plan on practicing law in the traditional sense for a crazy long time. I knew then that my mind needed to express itself in ways that were not confined by legal writing and analysis.

After law school, I started working for the federal government. Interestingly, working as a government attorney gave me the work-life balance that I needed to express my “creative side.” I started coaching a high school dance team, I started painting, and I started looking to purchase my first home. Initially, I thought I was going to hire an interior designer to design my home. After a while, I thought to myself, “I don’t need any help. I can really do this myself.” I taught myself how to do 2D e-designs, as I began curating designs for my new home. After a while, my friends started asking me for help in designing their spaces. So, in September 2018, I took a leap of faith and officially started Jay C. Lynn Interior Designs, LLC.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I honestly had to stop letting the “imposter’s syndrome” take over my mind and motivation. I also lost my mother unexpectedly in the beginning of 2022; therefore, trying to stay motivated and “getting out of my own head” made juggling my commitments that much harder.

Initially, I was fearful of entering the interior design industry because I felt I wasn’t “qualified” to start a business in this industry. After all, I have an undergraduate degree in Legal Communications and a Juris Doctorate. Nothing about that screams “designer.” I’ve had to learn on the go at times. I’ve had to teach myself how to use 2D e-design software and 3D e-design software. Thankfully, now that I’ve gotten so busy, I outsource my 3D renderings to some amazing 3D interior design renderers.

I’ve enrolled in the Aspiring Designer’s Academy. I am also currently a student at the Interior Design Institute. I say all this to say, that I strive to be a master of my craft. I didn’t get a degree in Interior Design, but guess what? Joanna Gaines, from HGTV, had a degree in Communications, and she and her husband now have a home decor television network, a home decor line, and multiple other businesses. This road hasn’t been easy, and I have literally had to fight through my fears. My faith in God keeps me grounded and believing in Him keeps me pushing when I have had doubts about whether I “belong” in these creative spaces.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Honestly, social media algorithms change all the time. I have a relatively modest following of about 5,400 followers on Instagram. When I first created my business Instagram page in 2021, I shared my business page with friends and family on my personal Instagram page.

From there, my page started to grow…quickly. Also, I was consistent with posting content. My advice is to post consistently, and stop worrying about the algorithm. The right people will see your content. I would also focus on your SEO for your website and Google business profile. Although social media is great, I cannot be your only way to gain clients. In the beginning, most of my clients came from Instagram ads. Now, it seems that many of my clients are referrals.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jayclynninteriors.com
• Instagram: @jayclynninteriors