Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Stanley.
Jerry, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It’s actually a long & winding road that got me to where I am today, including many jobs and numerous careers. I began in menswear retail after graduating from college. From there, my wife and I became the fourth and final generation of a family-owned and operated jewelry store on the Texas Gulf Coast. After closing the store during a downturn in the Texas economy, I found a new passion for community development. I moved into Chamber of Commerce management, taking the chief operating officer positions in first Port Lavaca and later in Mineral Wells.
From there, I worked briefly as the Director of Special Projects at Weatherford College. A ministerial calling brought me to a place where I served as Church Administrator and College & Career Pastor at a Weatherford church…and then as Director of a college/life preparatory center called the Purpose & Destiny Center in Waxahachie. After returning to the Weatherford area, I answered a new challenge, as a friend asked me to manage her new venture, Lighthouse Furniture & Design Center. This new job encapsulated so many of the skills learned and expanded in past jobs, while igniting a new passion: INTERIOR DESIGN.
After serving in this capacity for almost 11 years, I decided I would rather not be confined to a store day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year. Instead, I wanted to have the flexibility and freedom to work out of my home and concentrate my efforts on what I enjoyed best…working with clients to achieve and exceed their design goals. I began Mission Accomplished Design in August of 2016.
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?
Are there really any smooth roads…or just ones waiting to be leveled and paved? The transitions from job to job and career to career were seldom easy. However, each challenge enabled me to build skill upon skill. The most recent challenge of moving from store manager to small business owner was especially hard. First and foremost was a lack of financial stability and security. People can tell you about how costly it is to begin in business, but the reality is still quite startling! Though there were numerous prior design relationships to build off of, there was still the process of building credibility and establishing a client base. I have been blessed to have such loyal and vocal friends and clients that have helped to build and expand the business.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mission Accomplished Interior Design & Staging – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Ours is a full-service design firm. Our staging service involves working with realtors/sellers in making their properties market-ready by rearranging, decluttering and/or redefining spaces. We provide design consultation, space planning, color coordination/selection and lighting design. We also assist in furniture, materials and product selection for new construction and renovations. We work with outside sources in providing custom window treatments and bedding and in reupholstering existing furniture.
I think every designer “carves their own niche” in business. Mine seems to be a very budget-conscious client, anxious to get the biggest bang for their buck! I really enjoy the challenge of being able to come up with beautiful and comfortable design spaces that don’t break the bank.
As a designer, I’m best known for the color and personality that I bring to each project. I don’t care much for bland and boring spaces! I also care more about building relationships than establishing a client base. I’m proud to call most all of my clients “friends.”
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Right now, my biggest challenge is my own home. I recently sold my home in Historic Fairmount and am working on restoring an 1880 Classic/Greek Revival home in Meadowbrook. I think, designing your own space is far more difficult than designing for others…because you actually have to live with the decisions that you make!
I think my life motto is “Blessed to be a blessing!” I hope to expand the business so that I can provide others not only an income, but an outlet for creative expression.
Pricing:
- Short-Term Projects (5 hours or less) @ $75/hour
- Long-Term Projects (over 5 hours) @ $50/hour
Contact Info:
- Address: 4500 Meadowbrook Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76103 - Website: www.missionaccomplisheddesign.com
- Phone: 817-366-0785
- Email: jerry@missionaccomplisheddesign.com
Image Credit:
Anthony Ford Photography
Tourmaxx Real Estate Media
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
