Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Hasten.
Jessica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My first job out of college was as a stylist for a Dallas Photography Studio. I mostly styled bedroom shots for department store catalogs. I’ve ironed a lot of sheets in my life and know how to make a bed look pretty. Next, I worked as an assistant to the amazing Dallas designer, Jan Barbolio, learning all about design and manufacturing.
Finally, I ended up in furniture sales and showroom management. For 15 years, I worked for some wonderful furniture companies in Dallas and Denver, making decent money and having a stable salary. Part of my job was to go to people’s homes and help them create a floor plan and select the right pieces. Eventually, clients were asking me to help them outside of work and I started to ponder the idea of working for myself.
In 2011 we lost my father unexpectedly, and I think that is when things truly shifted and I realized life is short and sometimes you have to take risks… My view on my personal relationships and purpose changed because of this tragedy. In 2013 I decided to resign from sales and start my own company with the few clients from sales that I had. It was scary but I had to try.
Great, 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?
Leaving a steady salary was obviously risky and I did take a really big pay cut. Running the business is much more work than I could ever have imagined, I’ve but have had so much support and help from other designers here and have an amazing mentor, who happens to be one of my closest friends, constantly cheering me on and sharing her wisdom from her very successful career in the industry. Believing in yourself can be difficult at times, but having supportive friends, clients, family and peers make all the difference.
Please tell us about Jessica Hasten Design.
I am an Interior Decorator specializing in Residential Design. In the last two years especially, I’ve had clients really let me know that my work has changed their lives for the better. They are proud of their homes, living more comfortably and even functioning better because we’ve just changed a floor plan. It’s truly rewarding when a client is just overjoyed.
Seeing a client cry or jump up and down after a reveal is the best. I don’t design around my personal style. That would get boring to me, and I just love figuring out what makes a client tick and then providing them with a unique space that really reflects and works for them. I like to say,”all styles served here.” It keeps it interesting for me and allows me to work with so many different people. I love what I do and hope my Dad would be proud.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Music played a huge role in my childhood and is a constant reminder and connection to my father for me… I remember sitting on his lap at 3 years old listening to his best friend play guitar late into the night. That same friend played my bday party a couple of years later…. right after Raggedy Ann performed. Not many 5-year-olds had a concert for their birthday!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.Jessicahasten.com
- Phone: 303-519-7834
- Email: jessica@jessicahasten.com
- Instagram: @jessicahastendesign
Image Credit:
Angela Flournoy, Angela Flournoy, Wendy Vaughan, Angela Flournoy, Bill Walsh, Wendy Vaughan, Angela Flournoy, Bill Walsh
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