Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Hughes.
Hi Janelle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My initiation into the field of interior design officially began in 2018, via the founding of KJ Design and Mortar Styling, which makes Design and Mortar Interiors the second interior design firm I’ve launched. I feel so blessed to have learned so many lessons about owning a business, including payment structure, client relations, sourcing, and collaborating with other designers, vendors, artisans, and craftsmen.
My biggest lesson is to always lead with integrity, ethics, and honesty. That attitude has afforded me so many opportunities, including the chance to now serve clients not only in my home city, but also in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and New York, and offers to serve clients in other cities and countries as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not always been smooth, but each challenge has resulted in bigger rewards. In my first foray into this industry, the focus was on high volume but the systems to support it were lacking, which resulted in mismanagement of money, profit losses, and misaligned communication.
But I was so blessed to be invited to join House Beautiful’s inaugural Advisory Council, through which I learned a ton from other seasoned designers in the business. I still remember receiving that email from Jo Saltz’s assistant and thinking, “Lord, thank you for this blessing!” I needed that opportunity to learn and get a peek at how others created successful businesses that extend beyond a social media presence. It was difficult to figure out how to integrate what I learned in my former business.
But that’s the beauty of starting over and starting fresh. You take that knowledge and put it into practice. Now, my focus at Design and Mortar Interiors is less on taking on tons of clients and more on accepting projects with larger budgets and sometimes longer timelines. It’s about working smarter, not harder.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Design and Mortar Interiors?
We are an Interior Design firm serving residential and commercial clients in the DMV, USVI, and other cities along the East Coast. Our service levels include e-design, full-service design, and property styling.
I started in the business of providing home staging services and vowed to never do it again. But again, with the right model, I realized that it can be a profitable line of business. In September, Design and Mortar Interiors completed our first staging project in St. Croix, USVI for a firm located in New York City. They have hired me and my design partner in crime, Shawnte Edwards, owner of Every Detail Design, to stage four units within a property in Brooklyn, NY.
We specialize in customizing the customer experience based on the client’s needs, budget, and location. When servicing clients in different cities and states, for example, it’s important to keep in mind that sourcing does not look the same. Pieces must be carefully curated for the climate and with sustainability in mind. That has shifted my focus, expanded my trusted life of vendors, and made me think more about the impact of our industry on the environment.
We start each client relationship with a Discovery Call, which is a “get to know you” session. One of the things I love the most about being an Interior designer is the chance to meet so many interesting people who live full lives and who run successful businesses. I can not think of one client whom I haven’t viewed as a source of inspiration. I remained honored when they trusted me and my team to create spaces that improved their quality of life.
What matters most to you?
Client satisfaction, honest and respectful working relationships, and finding the right balance between entrepreneurship and being a mother all matter most to me.
It’s the reason why I am selective about the projects I take on, the people I partner with, and the time I spend building a business while raising kids.
I want to create a legacy my girls can be proud of, spaces my clients feel good in, and relationships grounded in peace and integrity.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @designandmortar
