Today we’d like to introduce you to Jahanna Nichols.
Jahanna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in a home with artist parents, who had a successful art glass business in North San Diego County. I was surrounded by creativity, so looking back it was natural that I fell in love with design. However, like many of us, I entered college not sure what I wanted to do with my life. I pursued a business degree because it seemed like a safe option. My last semester, I needed an additional elective to graduate, so I took an Interior Design class at the local community college. I instantly knew it was exactly what I wanted to do. After graduation, I took additional semesters of design classes, architecture classes, CAD, etc… My first design job was at a commission-based furniture store. It was not a great fit. The priority with the company was pushing the sale and not about what was best for the customer, which didn’t align with what I value. I left after a year, however, something unexpected came from that job. Through a connection with another employee, I realized that my passion for design was not limited to traditional showroom sales. This contact not only inspired me to pursue my own interior design business, but she taught me all the practical things and industry secrets that you don’t learn in school. From there, I began helping clients with small projects and worked as an independent contractor for two design firms. My client base continued to grow, enabling me to go into business for myself, and I haven’t looked back. I have now been in the industry for 25 years and am so grateful for the many amazing business and personal connections that have come my way. I’m still learning and growing, I think that is critical, particularly in a career like Interior Design. The learning never stops!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think I’ve been very fortunate in that many doors have opened for me along the way in my career. However, opportunity still requires hard work to bring about success. Sometimes that hard work is personal. I am a bit shy by nature, so I’ve constantly had to push myself out of my comfort zone. I have realized each time you do something, it becomes a little easier the next time. The first time I gave a presentation I thought I would pass out, I had so many butterflies. Today presentations are easy for me, however, there are always new things that force me out of my comfort zone, which I realize now is okay! Nothing rewarding is ever achieved without some challenges along the way, and I have found motivation in that.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I think one thing that sets me apart from many other firms is that I really strive to ensure that the work we do reflects my client’s taste. Often a client knows what they like and equally what they dislike, they just don’t know how to pull it all together successfully. So, whether the project is a ground up build or a simple one room consultation, it’s my goal to provide something that is current and fresh while at the same time true to their uniqueness. If my design is just focused on the current trend or even on my personal taste, it’s not going to have longevity for my client. This approach makes the design process a bit more time-consuming and challenging, however, the result is so worth it! A client should have the sense that they are completely at home in their space and that the design was curated for their individual style and personality.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned on this journey is that much of one’s business success is based on their ability to handle problems, not exclusively on
good design. In this industry, we often run into obstacles beyond our control, such as discontinued products, delays, damaged goods, a subcontractor not doing their best work, etc… Other times the problem is in house, perhaps a mistake myself or someone on my team has made. In each of these situations, it is critical that we deal with it in an honest, professional and timely manner. We not only have to be creative in this business, but we must come up with good solid solutions that show our clients we care.
Contact Info:
- Email: jahanna@jahannanicholsdesign.com
- Website: www.jahannanicholsdesign.com
- Instagram: jahannanicholsdesign
Image Credits:
Two spanish pictures by Meghan Beierle-O’Brien
Main photo and two modern pictures by Traci Giles Photography
