Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Burr.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was always a creative, artsy kid. On beautiful days, my mom and I would create paintings outside in our backyard. Later, I would start to lean towards music, beginning at age 10. I was drawn to the flute. I don’t know why but it worked out and I excelled, always first chair and winning awards. That was the start of my knowing what being successful at anything can mean to your life. I still practice today in my spare time. I was fortunate to grow up with parents that supported all of my endeavors. They never forced me into something I didn’t want to do. If I tried something and didn’t like it, they would support me wanting to quit and try something new!
After high school, I studied RAAS (Recording Art & Sciences) and afterwards, studied interior design, parlaying that into a successful career in Visual Merchandising. I worked as a Visual Merchandiser/Creative Director for companies such as GAP, Pier 1 Imports, Thomasville Furniture, Macy’s (where I won awards for my work, including my window displays!) and Ashley, also winning multiple awards. Today, I am the creative mind behind Ashley in Columbia, MD, I am also the founder of my own interior design company.
In January 2018, I began my own business. I wanted to work with clients of my own choosing, creating work that I am proud to put my name on. I have always been opinionated with strong instincts that, as long as I follow, never steer me wrong. Another trait that has helped me become successful is my competitiveness which is evident in my many accolades and achievements. However, I am always willing to share my experience and expertise. I want to help others learn, grow and be the best they can be. When one of us wins, we all win. I love friendly competition and when someone says they are inspired by me and want to do better I say, “Go for it! I hope you do!” And when they do, I applaud them. It’s never upsetting!
My parents also instilled in me a strong work ethic. I have an insatiable hunger to learn and believe we never stop evolving. There is always room to develop new skills. Inspiration and growth can be found anywhere. You just have to keep your eyes and ears open!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth journey. The most difficult part of working as a creative can be a lack of financial stability.
Another obstacle I have experienced is how you get others, who are not creative, to see your vision. Selling yourself as an interior designer can be difficult, especially when you are truly unique and have to rely on conversations, photos and technology to convey a vision and, of course, there’s the financial aspect, the value they are receiving for their money, that an interior designer has to sell to the prospective client when so much of what we do is behind the scenes and is not tangible.
I also wasn’t entirely prepared for the cost of starting and maintaining a business and keeping up with the legalities of it all.
As you know, we’re big fans of The SoBurr Experience. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I decided upon the name because I wanted to 1. include my name and 2. to let others know that it is an experience. I like to say that interior design is a journey. It doesn’t happen like on a TV show where they transform a space in 2-3 days! There is so much planning and preproduction that goes into the TV shows that the viewer never sees, just like real life interior design!
When looking to work with an Interior Designer, I always tell prospective clients to consult with more than 1. I am not offended. It is a personal, intimate experience. The client has to find just the right designer for them and the interior designer also has to make sure that the client is someone that they, too, can work with.
What sets me apart from others is my extreme attention to detail. and my ability to try something new, always thinking outside the box. A colleague has told me that one of her favorite aspects of my work is that everything I do seems so intentional. Everything has a purpose; a reason for being. I also want to make sure that when someone looks at a space I created, they can see the client within the space. My goal is to create a space that can be photographed for a magazine but also has that individual touch that is as unique as the client and tells their story. I am not a fan of “staged” spaces that look 2 dimensional, lifeless and appear washed out.
When hiring me to design a residential or commercial space, know that you are going to get something that truly stands out from the crowd. I like to say that my work has an edge and an attitude that you are not going to see anywhere else. I want others to be inspired at every turn while being balanced with what I like to call pause points, areas for your eye to rest, so each moment will always continue to feel special, and you will never get tired of looking at them.
The prospective client that usually wants to work with me is looking to hire right away. They are busy professionals, with or without children, who may not have time to consult with more than 1 interior designer. Part of my branding and business model is based around these clients. These types of clients are typically open minded, trusting, quick to make decisions and allow me to do what I do best. I have a thorough way of interviewing my clients, paying very close attention to their needs, wants and goals for their spaces. I pride myself on earning the clients’ trust during these early stages of the design process. I also pride myself on the high level of communication I give during the project to maintain a trusting, strong working relationship between me and my client.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Aside from hiring me, they can follow me on my social media accounts, like, share and save posts. This is a good way to keep up to date and tell that fickle algorithm what to do! I will be relaunching my website soon so make sure you follow me for that alert and stay up to date on news from my world. Word of mouth/referrals are also always helpful.
I am always open to working on projects with other Interior Designers and creatives, regardless of the type of art they produce. We are all connected. We can all inspire and motivate each other. I would love to form a connection with other artists who I can bring into my projects and vice versa.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.soburr.experience
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571443859851
- Other: https://threads.net/@the.soburr.experience
