Life & Work with Jennifer Ridley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ridley. 

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 started my journey in 2000 when I got a job at The Tile Shop. At the time, I had no idea this would be my future career. I was selling tile, to make money, while going to college. There was a designer that worked there and I loved seeing her create beautiful bathrooms. She didn’t just sell tile to people, she helped design beautiful spaces for them. I took this same approach and realized I had a similar talent. I then proceeded to work in the industry at a couple different showrooms and continued to further my experience. My path came to an end when the economy crashed in 2008 and I had to find a more reliable source of income. I got into the insurance restoration industry, and although it wasn’t as creative of a position, it helped me learn the construction side of the business and helped me become a skilled project manager, which now is a huge asset I can offer my clients. After becoming a mother of my second child, I decided I wanted to be a full-time mom as oppose to working for someone. It didn’t take but a year to decide that I need to do something that was fulfilling to me, in addition to motherhood. I had an opportunity to work for myself. I decided to put myself out there and start by showing people what I had done to my home and see how people responded to that. I reluctantly started my business Instagram page. I didn’t go to college to become an interior designer so that made me feel I wasn’t deserving to call myself that or have people pay me to be one. Regardless of my talent, I lacked confidence in selling myself as a designer. I spoke with a few women, who had done what I wanted to do, to gain some knowledge and insight on what they were doing. I took on any job I could, at any price. I worked for free for many hours to show my worth and to gain confidence in what I was selling. Once I started to believe in myself, I committed to perfecting my processes and procedures and learning what the designers I admired were doing in order to become them one day. Fast forward 3 years, from my first post on Instagram, I now have a successful design business, I’ve hired 3 employees, I’m working with a business life coach and I’ve created a reportable name for myself in the industry. It’s bonkers to be honest with you. Never did I ever anticipate this kind of success and respect. It doesn’t even feel real. 

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?
Thankfully, at 41, I can say that the struggles I’ve experienced are the necessary building blocks I need to be the designer/human being I want to be. It used to be the world was against me and nothing ever goes right. Getting older has taught me to learn something from every bad situation and struggle and not make that mistake again. I welcome the struggle and rough road so I can keep learning. Bring it on world, I am ready for you now. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As I mentioned before, I would take on any job I could, just to get business. Now that I’ve been doing this on my own for a while, I’ve recognized I’m my happiest when I’m styling a job. I get to go into a home/space that hasn’t ever felt completed, and I get to make it feel cozy, lived in, and beautiful. My clients are so happy when it’s done, It’s the most rewarding job I do. I can redo a kitchen or a bathroom all day, but if you don’t add the finishing touches, it never feels complete. 

What I offer people is affordable services. I can give you a finished, Pinterest product, in your budget. I can style a home, all from HomeGoods, and make it look like a magazine cover photo. I make my work affordable so that everyone has the opportunity to have a beautiful space. I’m also honest, I’ve been in this industry for so long and I’ve heard every excuse you can imagine. I want to set up realistic expectations. I want happy clients. I am not afraid to give people the good the bad and the ugly. Construction projects are messy, take longer than expected, and end up costing more than anticipated. I want my clients to know what they are getting into before the job starts. Right now, more so than ever, we are experiencing a great deal of difficulties getting product, major delays, and an influx of prices. I get to know my client’s needs, learn what they need and want from me and my services and customize a plan that works best for them. Not every client has the same needs so I try to be flexible and find something that we all feel comfortable with. 

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Soooo many. I’ve been following hundreds of designers, watching what they do, watching HGTV, reading the magazines, working with the builders, speaking with local designers, and have been creating what I want my business and brand to look like based on what I’ve seen and learned. 

Pricing:

• $150-$350 Consulting Fee (depending on the size of job, I can help with advice, recommendations, and structure a plan)
• $125 for selections for materials which includes vision board/CAD drawings
• $150 hr for styling

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jkrdesignmi.com
• Instagram: jkrdesignmi
• Facebook: JKR Design

Image Credits
Stylish Detroit
Faith Fritz