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Monday, May 24, 2010
Going for the O
This week's mission is to get J.B.I.A., LLC's three minute segment up for Oprah's OWN network where she is awarding one lucky winner the opportunity to have their own show. Once the link is posted, we will be sure to let you know so that you can go online and vote for Jessica Brown as the winner! Stay tuned, we'd let you know what the idea is but confidentiality people! Wish us luck!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Great Expectations
Today's topic is all about reality. Reality, it is something that some people have a hard time grasping and coming to terms (at times myself included in other situations). How does the great classic quote run? "Champagne taste with a beer budget." I always disliked this saying but with the given economic conditions, find that it continually squirms its way into my projects. There is a moment, an "a-ha" moment, when one must come to terms with desirability vs. affordability. Then affordability vs. desirability. You see at the initial interview I get the scope of a project, including the budget. I am pretty upfront. If I tell you I do not foresee a project coming to fruition at the budget you've quoted me, you can tell me you are not interested. My feelings are not hurt. But instead, you want to pursue it, and pursue it until the rock bleeds, which will never happen, and then you are hurt and full of disappointment. Reality is: I have been designing for 10 years now and can tell you what is and is not possible pretty quickly. The fact of the matter is that my mind is really not going to change, but rather your reality must.
Short and Sweet today!
Short and Sweet today!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
BIRTHDAY WISH
Hello J.B.I.A., LLC fans! It's my birthday today and somehow it is a rotten start again! Last year's birthday was a wake up call at 6am with a furious client claiming the tile installer messed up and he wants everything ripped out right now! (it wasn't this bad, he was just dramatic) This year is a 6am email for a bid from the carpenter more than double the original bid quoted... the scope of work changed.. but guess what? the budget didn't! Ah the life of an Interior Architect. My morning did start to improve however with the sweetest call from my little brother with birthday wishes!
Our conversation eventually landed me back venting the frustrations of my business and him encouraging me to never give up as he admires my persistence and pursuance in following my passion and dream. I informed him I have not landed there quite yet. Yes, I have designed for nationally known CEO's of major corporations however my dream is to be known as THE designer to the athletes. I want to be known for doing homes for the professional athletes. I am young, I can relate to dedication and perseverance, being an athlete from fourth grade through college (by no means professional, but I get it). I understand the pressures, the commitments, the challenges and the heart. I am young. Professional athletes need a designer who can relate to the times, the styles, the fashion, the music; Orlando Diaz-Azcuy (famous designer) was quoted:
"A good designer knows good design, a great designer knows everything."
I AM A GREAT DESIGNER! J.B.I.A., LLC STRIVES TO KNOW EVERYTIHNG! There are six degrees of separation correct? I know professional athletes through one degree of separation on multiple occasions, can I get one introduction? You don't even have to say you like my work, because after I am introduced, they will like me. And after they like me, they will want to see my work. And after they see my work, they will be hooked and wanting me to do their homes.
I am aware there are so many many personalities out there, in professional athletes as well. My brother threw it out there this morning, "You know some of these fellows can be some real dogs." I know. Some of these fellows can be some real bible thumpers, and some can just be crazy. But guess what, I can meet their needs. The dogs have big (or little depending on the psychoanalysis) egos, they need a home that reflects pride, showmanship, fantasy-like atmosphere of "no he didn't", oh yes he did! The bible thumper (no disrespect here, I am Christian myself - just the category) needs humble yet quality. Sparse yet distinguished, quiet yet calming. The crazy one needs fun, eccentric, loud with taste, vibrant and sophiticated-ly ( I made this word up) posh. My personality doesn't change. I am confident in my marriage, my motherhood and my career. Nothing will compromise my professionalism or my character. Any personality is essentially still a person and all deserve respect whether it is returned in my favor or not.
My Birthday Wish: To be THE designer for professional athletes. To build an enterprise, J.B.I.A., LLC, being known solely for this. Designing for professional athletes. Bringing their personalities out through their environment. Providing their wives/children (if have them) a home that is unique, one of a kind, and perfectly suited for their lifestyle. To design for the professional athletes means to have successfully launched my dream career. Then, my loving brother, I have seen my dream come to fruition!
Our conversation eventually landed me back venting the frustrations of my business and him encouraging me to never give up as he admires my persistence and pursuance in following my passion and dream. I informed him I have not landed there quite yet. Yes, I have designed for nationally known CEO's of major corporations however my dream is to be known as THE designer to the athletes. I want to be known for doing homes for the professional athletes. I am young, I can relate to dedication and perseverance, being an athlete from fourth grade through college (by no means professional, but I get it). I understand the pressures, the commitments, the challenges and the heart. I am young. Professional athletes need a designer who can relate to the times, the styles, the fashion, the music; Orlando Diaz-Azcuy (famous designer) was quoted:
"A good designer knows good design, a great designer knows everything."
I AM A GREAT DESIGNER! J.B.I.A., LLC STRIVES TO KNOW EVERYTIHNG! There are six degrees of separation correct? I know professional athletes through one degree of separation on multiple occasions, can I get one introduction? You don't even have to say you like my work, because after I am introduced, they will like me. And after they like me, they will want to see my work. And after they see my work, they will be hooked and wanting me to do their homes.
I am aware there are so many many personalities out there, in professional athletes as well. My brother threw it out there this morning, "You know some of these fellows can be some real dogs." I know. Some of these fellows can be some real bible thumpers, and some can just be crazy. But guess what, I can meet their needs. The dogs have big (or little depending on the psychoanalysis) egos, they need a home that reflects pride, showmanship, fantasy-like atmosphere of "no he didn't", oh yes he did! The bible thumper (no disrespect here, I am Christian myself - just the category) needs humble yet quality. Sparse yet distinguished, quiet yet calming. The crazy one needs fun, eccentric, loud with taste, vibrant and sophiticated-ly ( I made this word up) posh. My personality doesn't change. I am confident in my marriage, my motherhood and my career. Nothing will compromise my professionalism or my character. Any personality is essentially still a person and all deserve respect whether it is returned in my favor or not.
My Birthday Wish: To be THE designer for professional athletes. To build an enterprise, J.B.I.A., LLC, being known solely for this. Designing for professional athletes. Bringing their personalities out through their environment. Providing their wives/children (if have them) a home that is unique, one of a kind, and perfectly suited for their lifestyle. To design for the professional athletes means to have successfully launched my dream career. Then, my loving brother, I have seen my dream come to fruition!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Designing for the Stars
So I can't help but wonder what it takes to be heard? Seen? Exposed? I understand word of mouth is powerful, but what if that word is stingy? selfish? possessive? Somehow I have this amazing, phenomenal clientele who never wants to share J.B.I.A., LLC with anybody! I have never in my life duplicated a design, and when they toured homes before signing with me they have seen how successfully I've mastered so many different styles. Yet when the time comes to ask, " Now here's what you can do for me" they go balistic?! I can't help but laugh to myself, does this mean J.B.I.A., LLC will never be in the likes of Architectural Digest or Elle Decor?
You bet not! One thing remains a constant in the design magazines... super stars! They love the attention, not all but many, and some anonymously. Hence, my question to you today is, "How does one meet a star?" Would you believe I have plenty of contacts that know stars, but none to make the introduction. I am established, I am original, I am the best out there (this could come across as conceded but it is only the truth, besides at this point in the game, I think this is simply an online journal to me) and yet I can not get an introduction. My initial philosophy worked like this:
I am young, and that puts me at a unique advantage. I was introduced to High End Residential Homes at the age of 24. After three years of my "Devil Wears Prada" style slavery, I branched out on my own with plenty of clients to go with me (total ego booster). Let me tell you how uncomfortable sales reps feel when their clients (other older designers) are asking me for assistance in the showrooms assuming I am an intern, lol!
At my young age, although this is six years later, not so young anymore but in comparison not remorsely old enough to be up and up with them, I feel I am in tune with what's hip, what's hop and what's a flop for fashion, design, music, the whole gammit. I have the exposure they do with the knowledge they lack. You see, many of these designers in their late forty's and fifty's are actually not that much more experienced than myself. They played their wifey role, mother role, formerly a CPA role, whatever may have you and then decided it was time to become a designer. Not all, but a lot of designers just started.... but they appear to have "the older the wiser" aura and that puts me out of the game.
Can I pray in any different way, "Dear God, please make these young artists, athletes and trustfund babies understand that I am no different from these other designers, aside from my unbelievably, far more talented skill, I am actually more in tune with them than any of these phony baby boomers." Gee, I still can't figure out why He's not answering my prayers.
Words of Advise Anyone????? Is someone out there?
You bet not! One thing remains a constant in the design magazines... super stars! They love the attention, not all but many, and some anonymously. Hence, my question to you today is, "How does one meet a star?" Would you believe I have plenty of contacts that know stars, but none to make the introduction. I am established, I am original, I am the best out there (this could come across as conceded but it is only the truth, besides at this point in the game, I think this is simply an online journal to me) and yet I can not get an introduction. My initial philosophy worked like this:
I am young, and that puts me at a unique advantage. I was introduced to High End Residential Homes at the age of 24. After three years of my "Devil Wears Prada" style slavery, I branched out on my own with plenty of clients to go with me (total ego booster). Let me tell you how uncomfortable sales reps feel when their clients (other older designers) are asking me for assistance in the showrooms assuming I am an intern, lol!
At my young age, although this is six years later, not so young anymore but in comparison not remorsely old enough to be up and up with them, I feel I am in tune with what's hip, what's hop and what's a flop for fashion, design, music, the whole gammit. I have the exposure they do with the knowledge they lack. You see, many of these designers in their late forty's and fifty's are actually not that much more experienced than myself. They played their wifey role, mother role, formerly a CPA role, whatever may have you and then decided it was time to become a designer. Not all, but a lot of designers just started.... but they appear to have "the older the wiser" aura and that puts me out of the game.
Can I pray in any different way, "Dear God, please make these young artists, athletes and trustfund babies understand that I am no different from these other designers, aside from my unbelievably, far more talented skill, I am actually more in tune with them than any of these phony baby boomers." Gee, I still can't figure out why He's not answering my prayers.
Words of Advise Anyone????? Is someone out there?
Classic Summer Entertaining
Are you getting excited with the sun popping through our windows earlier and earlier every day? I am. I can't help but get ants in my pants thinking about the masses of friends and family about to pass through our home this summer season! As I reflect on the occasions I can make up as excuses to entertain, I also reflect on my outdoor entertaining space!
Unlike many other homes in our MidWest neighborhood, our home runs the depth of the lot, not the width, therefore leaving us with little, rather let's be honest, no backyard. Our side yard, if you call it that is approximately fifteen feet wide running the alongside the length of the house. Hardly any practicality of space other than an utopic weed-breeding nation and random mines of dog droppings.
Since I have little option for my children's entertainment in such a small plot, we're opting to create the ultimate outdoor living space. This is to include an outdoor kitchen, lounge area, dining area and firepit/chimnea location. Sounds like a lot right? Not really when done right. I anticipate adding on approximately 750 square feet of living space that everyone can enjoy!
The key you see is form AND function. Something J.B.I.A., LLC believes and knows quite a bit about. Stay tuned as I bring you regular updates with the development of this space.
Are you in need of help with your outdoor space? My expertise is available to you, if you so please, J.B.I.A., LLC. Is anyone out there reading this?
Unlike many other homes in our MidWest neighborhood, our home runs the depth of the lot, not the width, therefore leaving us with little, rather let's be honest, no backyard. Our side yard, if you call it that is approximately fifteen feet wide running the alongside the length of the house. Hardly any practicality of space other than an utopic weed-breeding nation and random mines of dog droppings.
Since I have little option for my children's entertainment in such a small plot, we're opting to create the ultimate outdoor living space. This is to include an outdoor kitchen, lounge area, dining area and firepit/chimnea location. Sounds like a lot right? Not really when done right. I anticipate adding on approximately 750 square feet of living space that everyone can enjoy!
The key you see is form AND function. Something J.B.I.A., LLC believes and knows quite a bit about. Stay tuned as I bring you regular updates with the development of this space.
Are you in need of help with your outdoor space? My expertise is available to you, if you so please, J.B.I.A., LLC. Is anyone out there reading this?
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