We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephanie Jacobs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Stephanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you manage your own social media?
I do a little bit of both when it comes to our social media. As the owner and lead designer of SBS Designs, I’ve realized I can ‘t do everything. There’s just not enough hours in the day. I have tried to outsource all of our social media to interns or other employees in the company, but I like to control our narrative. After years of trying to grow our accounts and hack the system, I’ve learned to outsource part of our social media and control the rest. I control the posts and content, and have outsourced someone to handle engagement and growth.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I graduated with a BA in Art from the University of Georgia and a Masters in Art Education from Georgia State University, and taught art in public schools for 7 years until 2013. In 2017, I opened the business, Staged by Stephanie, primarily focusing on staging homes going on the market. My business quickly transformed to encompass all aspects of design including decorating, renovations, custom window treatments and staging. In the spring of 2023 I dissolved the staging portion of my business due to time and profit. The current company name, SBS Designs, now reflects our range of services.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I have always been a creative. Expressing my creativity is an innate part of who I am. Through my designs of rooms and spaces I am spreading the joy that I get in the creation process. I do not stick to a particular style or certain look as I think that each homeowner and situation is unique and that space needs to be theirs, not mine. A lot of designers in the industry insist on using certain price points or put their style into a space. There’s nothing wrong with this, as their is a certain clientele that will search out designers for this type of approach. However, I see myself quickly getting board always sticking to a particular style. I love collaborating with clients to and trade sources to help make each space I create not only unique, but comfortable and a space that clients feel good about.
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’ve had to unlearn that I cannot control everything. Working in a service industry, and so closely with clients you quickly realize that you can’t please everyone. I certainly try to, and want to, but if it means losing sleep over a situation or working with a person that you may never be able to please then it’s time to let go. Experience has also taught me that not everyone is meant to be your client. It’s ok to say no to a job. 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sbsdesignsatlanta.com
- Instagram: @sbsdesignsatl
- Facebook: @sbsdesignsatl
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbsdesignsatlanta/
- Youtube: @sbsdesignsatl
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sbs-designs-atlanta
Image Credits
Kate Koulouris