Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Jaeger.
Hi Victoria, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I grew up in Grapevine, TX – a suburb smack dab in between Dallas and Fort Worth. Most say I’m a little bit Dallas, a little bit Fort Worth. If you know Texas, you know what that means. If you aren’t as familiar with Texas, it means that I could put on a pair of high heels one weekend and cowboy boots the next. I could order the finest Wagyu steak this side of town had to offer but could also be perfectly (if not more) happy with Mom’s home-cooked meal. I could enjoy a glass of red but turn around and shoot a whiskey with the best of them. This middle-of-the-road mentality led me to one of our main foundations at J. House & Co. – being rooted by traditional concepts that aim to capture the spirit of time-honored living by instilling refined elegance, hospitality, composed charm, and a deep sense of place. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t realize how fortunate I was to grow up with the people, places, experiences, and opportunities that I did so with. But like everyone in life, I experienced my fair share of challenges and battles along the way. Difficult as they may, I chose not to let those hurdles classify me but rather embrace and utilize them to grow. I dialed in on life lessons, took valuable conversations and advice with me as I went, and never let things knock me off my rocker too much.
My passion with the industry of interior design and all the creative avenues around it never lacked in all my years growing up. My mom and dad were constantly doing DIY projects around the house which sparked my initial interest – I can make pretty things AND earn a living? I was sold. I flew the nest and went on to study and obtain my Bachelor of Interior Design at the University of Arkansas, where my understanding of design began to grow even more as I learned about the philosophy that it’s intended to evoke an experience, inspire community, and enhance functionality in people’s lives. With my newfound drive behind my career, I graduated and immediately got to work for a boutique hospitality interior design studio. I then transitioned to a position at a general contracting firm so that I could add the construction knowledge to my tool belt (pun intended). I wanted to not only have the beautiful idea, I wanted to be able to tell you how to make the beautiful idea come to life. With an education, design/construction/project management knowledge, and a whole lot of faith in my pocket, I knew I had been afforded a unique opportunity to be placed in a position to start my own business. So, I took it!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve experienced my fair share of challenges and battles along the way. Difficult as they may, I chose not to let those hurdles classify me but rather embrace and utilize them to grow. I dialed in on life lessons, took valuable conversations and advice with me as I went, and never let things knock me off my rocker too much. While all of that still useful and important today, it wasn’t until I found my strength and purpose in Jesus Christ and realized all the beautiful, unimaginable things that He had offered me and all the good to come that is accessible only through Him, that truly impacted who I am today. His foundations and teachings are paramount to who I am and how I operate today. It was Galatians 5:22-23 (The MSG) that captured my heart – “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” Whether you believe it or not, I knew in my heart of hearts that everyone has these same desires and realized that this couldn’t have been a coincidence. You have to give it to Him… The Man was on to something.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My interior design firm, J. House & Co., is rooted in traditional concepts that capture the spirit of time-honored living instilled with refined elegance, hospitality, composed charm, and a deep sense of place. We aim to embrace the heritage of each of our clients and incorporating the essence of what it means to be a local by committing ourselves to discovering the region and its vernacular. Our spaces, while soft and inviting, are innovative and functional through curated and timeless details. We have a passion for using materials that are honest but polished with a nod to provincial pastimes.
I would love for the direction of JHC to move towards boutique hospitality design with subcomponents of the business such as Brand Identity and User Experience Specialists that would all work together to create a holistic user experience (think not only interior design but integrating brand identity by specializing in brand strategy, F&B strategy, graphic design, and brand activation, in conjunction with working with other creatives such as visionary restaurateurs, Chefs, Mixologists, and Sommeliers to develop Food & Beverage Concept Development). At the end of the day though, what really matters most to me is having a firm that I can look back on and see like-minded individuals who feel fulfilled and that they’re making a difference when they walk through the office doors by impacting community for the better through their work. Anything along the way that embodies those principles is fair game for JHC’s future and will set us apart.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My faith and honoring others. This can look like so many things. In a big way but also in the smallest of ways. For me, it’s choosing to see the good in someone versus the bad. It’s believing that everyone has a narrative worth circulating. It’s remembering that from a fundamental human level, we all share the need to be seen, heard, and loved. It’s operating with social thoughtfulness towards one another because we know when we value each other’s worth, we become united. It’s about helping people with grit and grace to somersault them through their comfort zones. It’s recognizing that defeat shouldn’t be portrayed as invalidating; rather, gain from the missteps and fail more resourcefully next time together. It’s carrying out good work that counts and that by electing that narrative, it rallies others towards doing the same. It’s undercovering the beauty in someone no matter how understated or present it may be. It’s acknowledging that each day is a privilege and that great things are sprinkled throughout as long as we have eyes to perceive it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jhouseandco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jhouseandco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jhouseandco/
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/webuser-443388262/__public
Image Credits
J. House & Co.
