Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Braswell.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Creativity and design have always been a significant part of my life. Some of my first memories were with oil paints on a canvas at four years old and cutting up a piece of material to make into a dress at five. Creativity has always been inside of me, at times dormant, but always there.
Staging started for me in my early twenties. I remember walking into a friend’s home and being able to conceptually see the potential the space possessed. I could see the correct proportions in which something should be hung and the exact placement in the grouping of items. It was like I discovered a little design superpower within me! I found myself walking in and repurposing everything. I then knew this was my passion. At the time, I was working in Project Management for an Energy company.
I would stage and redesign for friends, family, and referrals on the weekends. This went on for nearly 10 years. I was so thankful for my time in the energy industry, but it was not enough. I was not living up to my full potential. That is when I decided to take the leap! Starting Elite Staging & Design has changed my life. I am living out my dream.
When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like “work”. I never fully understood that until now. I absolutely love what I do and feel so proud that I followed my heart.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a long time coming! That is for sure, and YES the road has been bumpy. Life happens and challenges arise. How you handle the challenge is what can make or break you. You can cower or grow; I choose to grow.
Challenges aside, the daily grind can also be your worst enemy. You can become so consumed just going through the motions that it can be very easy to lose focus on the BIG picture. For me, the minutiae began to add up. I was working full-time in Project Management and as a full-time Mommy at home. I felt like I didn’t have enough hours in the day for laundry let alone to leave my career of 10 years and start my own business. I was complacent, apprehensive, and fearful but I took those emotions and channeled them into positive energy.
Every time I would have self-doubt, I would refocus that energy into drive. I developed goals. Small ones at first. Something that could be easily attained so I could check the box. Something as easy as “create your LLC” or “reserve your domain name”. Simple tasks that you follow through with create confidence, organization, and motivation. Little wins add up to big victories.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a certified home stager, personal shopper, interior decorator, consignment lover, inspiration sharer, fun furniture finder, AND the owner of Elite Staging & Design!
Elite views staging and design as vehicles for improving people’s lives. Whether it be walking clients through a new home design, staging a home to sell, creating a mood board for inspiration, organizing to find the beauty in an existing space, repurposing to provide a fresh aesthetic, or Holiday decorating, Elite’s got you!
I am definitely known for extreme attention to detail, decisiveness, and efficiency. I believe what sets me apart is passion. I eat, sleep, and breathe what I do. I go to bed thinking about kitchen hardware options for a special client and wake up thinking of ottoman placement in the study for another. It’s just in me and I love it.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising about me is my love for karaoke! I am a terrible singer, horrible, but for some reason, I love, love, love karaoke.
My go-to song is “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals.
Pricing:
- Free 30 min consult
- Interior Redesign – $65/hr
- Organization – $75/hr
- Verbal Staging Report – $150/2.5hrs
- Holiday Decorating – $50/hr
Contact Info:
- Email: elitestagingjax@gmail.com
- Website: elitestagingjax.com
- Instagram: @elitestagingdesignjax
- Facebook: @elitestagingjax
Image Credits
Jennifer Grissom
