Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridget Santos.
Hi Bridget, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my journey as an interior designer at a young age when my parents gave me the opportunity to renovate my bathroom in my childhood home. We traveled a lot growing up, so I was able to see a lot of history of architecture and design around the world. I proceeded to attend Louisiana Tech University on an athletic scholarship and studied interior design under the School of Architecture. I proudly graduated with my interior design degree and a business minor. After school, I worked at an architecture firm for a year in Shreveport, Louisiana, where I was taught and led by incredible architects and designers whom I still stay in touch with to this day as one of my mentors in the industry. After moving to Dallas, I spend 7 years strictly in the multifamily interior design, working my way up from a designer to the business design director. Over the course of those 7 years, I learned and grew as a designer, manager, and person. My experience, drive, and work ethic are what got me to where I am today! I am thankful to all those who mentored me, taught me, and pushed me to fulfilling my dream as the owner of Emerson James Studio.
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?
It has not been a smooth road, but I am thankful for the journey. A few situations:
1. As of a mom of 2, it is not easy to balance the needs of personal life and professional life. I had two babies through the pandemic and had to learn to balance the progression in my career along with starting a family. I am thankful for the support from all those around me, especially my husband, to be able to continue to excel in my career as well as being a dedicated mom.
2. I became licensed as a very young designer. I took all my NCIDQ testing as soon as I possibly could after gaining my working hours, which opened up additional opportunities at a young age. This was a struggle but also a huge accomplishment for me.
3. Starting Emerson James Studio was a struggle as any business owner knows with starting a business. The amount of detail and planning I did to ensure I was putting myself in the best possible position for starting a company. Finding a location that would work for my business model. I took on employees quickly, which catapulted us to take on larger work quicker and setting a high level of standard across the company.
As you know, we’re big fans of Emerson James Studio. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Emerson James Studio is a full-service interior design firm based in the heart of Dallas, Texas, on Lovers Lane. We offer abundant knowledge in the industry and powerful design solutions for any project large or small. With our team’s versatile experience in commercial and residential interiors, we are able to use the latest and greatest software’s for clients to visualize design, document our design, and keep track of all FFE. Combined, we have almost 20 years of experience in multifamily and commercial interiors. We are passionate about design and stay up to date by attending conferences trade shows, and being knowledgeable in trends and also price points to create the best design for the client’s budget. I am proud to own a fully woman-owned business named after my two children, Emerson and James. We are a small business of 4 hardworking passionate professional interior designers. We are able to offer the creative design side as well as be organized as professionals to keep projects on track. Check us out on @emersonjamesstudio to see the ins and outs of an interior designer, the things we look for on-site for projects, and the way we turn concepts and design boards into beautiful spaces.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My family makes me happy. Representing a hardworking mom who is a business owner makes me happy. Seeing clients’ faces light up when we nail the design makes me happy. Mentoring designers and teaching makes me happy. Seeing my employees succeed and enjoy their job makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emersonjamesstudio.com/
- Instagram: emersonjamesstudio
- Facebook: Emerson James Studio
- Linkedin: Emerson James Studio
Image Credits
Nicole Wierick Photography
Hope Gray Photography
Cameron Chamblee
