Kitchen & Bath Business - November/December 2020 - 64

LAST WORD

What is the most important lesson you've learned
throughout your career?

" I've learned to be intentional with my business.
That means I don't implement everything I read
and see other designers doing; I look at what my
goals are for my life, and then I thoughtfully and
intentionally make business decisions that will
get me to where I want to be. For example, I love
traveling - like a lot and for longer periods of time.
So being landlocked is not ever going to work for
me. For this reason, I've decided that having a
studio or brick and mortar wouldn't be the right
move for me personally. "
How have you pivoted your business during this time?

" I have added services at lower price points like
'Pick My Brain' and 'Design in a Day' packages.
I've also created an online course called 'Thoughtful Nesting,' which I started marketing more and
more. It walks the student through my exact process for organizing and decorating. I am also developing a few more digital products for helping
DIYers. In addition, I have gotten really good at
finding solutions for providing what I am calling
remote full-service design. It's more than e-design
but less than traditional full service. "
What kinds of projects are you working on?

BEING
INTENTIONAL
WITH BUSINESS

One designer makes her firm work for
h e r s c h e d u l e a n d t o d a y 's d i f f i c u l t t i m e s

AFTER HUSTLING AS A FREELANCE DESIGNER in Los Angeles, Jessica

McClendon decided to bravely step out and start her own design firm - in
the middle of the 2009 recession. Since then, she has built a reputation for her
casual yet glamorous designs, even while moving back home to Fort Worth,
Texas, and raising a toddler. KBB spoke more with her about evolving business tactics, talking budget with clients and not giving in to peer pressure.

" Right now, I am working on a full-service, Deco-inspired primary bathroom and a gorgeous,
remote, full-service formal living room. I'm also
doing a lot of 'Pick My Brain' packages - a package of hours clients can purchase, and then as they
need me, they reach out with questions. As I answer them and consult, I deduct the time from
their retainer. It's great for someone who loves the
process of design but just wants a professional to
double check their choices before moving forward.
I can respond to my clients between getting my
daughter a snack and coloring with her.
How do you handle talking budget with your clients?

ABOVE " This space is a Span-

ish 1920s bungalow, so we
wanted to create something
classic that ï¬owed with the
architecture of the home but
also something fun that played
to their love of color, " said
McClendon.
Project photographer: Scott
Rickels
Headshot photographer: Mary
Costa Photography

By ERINN LOUCKS

" I have found that being really kind and honest
about what is realistic always works best. If a client
gives me a budget I feel is low for what they want,
I just walk them though what is possible with that
budget in a really positive way. I never scoff or talk
to them like they are out of their mind. I make sure
to be straight forward but still sound excited. More
often than not, they just don't know what things
cost, so once I am able to educate them, they will
either raise their budget or they at least have realistic expectations about what their budget can do. "
What is your favorite part of your job?

" It's great being a part of transformation. I love
helping clients create homes they love and are
proud of and want to share. "
ï

/ NOV.-DEC. 2020 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of NKBA (NKBA.org) and KBIS (KBIS.com)

http://www.KBBONLINE.COM http://www.NKBA.org http://www.KBIS.com

Kitchen & Bath Business - November/December 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business - November/December 2020