Conversations with the Inspiring Jamie Nusser

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Nusser.

Jamie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was a junior in high school when I started to work for an Architect, + really fell in love with design. Working there inspired me to have my name on the door one day + he encouraged me to to pursue my dreams. I was the first in my family to attend college, so I had no help navigating all the tests + forms actually needed to just apply for school. But I managed my way through + did it. I went to CU Boulder for architecture school + I soon realized I could ski + study design at the same time so it seemed like the perfect fit. After I graduated, I bought a one way ticket to Australia with nothing but a working holiday visa + lots of clothes. Whiling living in Sydney, I worked at a Kitchen Showroom designing kitchens + bathrooms while selling the fixtures to match the design. I fell right in place + I was basically running the whole shop by myself by the end of my time there, which gave me a lot of experience + an opportunity to develop my personal taste. When I came back to the states I moved to Denver + worked for a Design Build firm for 5 years + then moved on to work for 2 interior design firms for another year. My dream of having my name on the door was still at the front of my mind + I quickly realized that I wasn’t getting any younger, I mean I was already 30 at this point, so in June of 2016, J Designs Inc. was created. I got my first client in July of that year, + by December the work was coming in consistently. It was a difficult transition at first, but I just relied on word of mouth + publications to start gaining traction. I have been participating in the Denver Life Magazine Showhouse for the last three years + I am currently working on 12 different projects.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Just like any growing business there are going to be challenges, especially in design. For example, you could face construction problems + let me tell you there will be a lot of them, + your designs could be the best in the world but if you don’t have a good team of subcontractors to bring your designs to life that can ruin a vision + be really hard to swallow. I have a design build background, which is helpful, but when you are working with new vendors it is difficult to control all of the varying factors at play.

My advice would be that if you have a true passion for something, keep pouring yourself into it + keep dreaming big. You will find mini successes along the way that will lead to larger successes, but you will only have that when you keep pushing. For me the design projects became better the more I knew my client, so do your best to know what they like + get to know them on a deeper level so you can achieve your goals. The biggest thing I have learned is there is also room on top for everyone – so don’t compare yourself to others who may have a team behind them when you are a one women show.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into J Designs story. Tell us more about the business.
I am an interior designer that specializes in high end residential + boutique fitness studio design. I am known for my minimal aesthetic + neutral tones combined with layering + various natural textures for added depth. As a brand + design firm, I am most proud of the standard we have set for quality + customer care. I am very hands on, which I pride myself on, because I am constantly trying to keep up with the pace of projects + be there to discuss the changes or concerns almost immediately. I push to incorporate unique elements to mix the old with the new in every house I design, which sets my spaces apart from others. creating simple + modern designs.

It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I love listening to girlboss radio – I find a lot of inspiration there as being a business owner + entrepreneur. I also love fashion blogs, the one I am consistently keeping up with is Damsel in Dior, I find a lot of things on her site that resonate with me + my personal life. Another fashion designer I have been obsessed with + loved over the years is Anine Bing, she keeps me thinking outside of the box + challenging my style, which translates from my personal life into my work life as well. Then there are obviously the classics like Vogue + Architectural Digest which provide me a never- ending stream of things to learn from + be inspired by.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1811 W 23rd Ave
  Denver Colorado 80205
• Website: http://www.jinteriordesigns.com/
• Phone: 925.998.4289
• Email: jamie@jinteriordesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.designs.inc/

Image Credit:
Lindsey Drewes Photography
Ryan Lawrence Photography

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