Meet Jamie Taylor

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jamie Taylor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jamie, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?

Hi! It’s so great to be back in conversation with you! I always enjoy my time with Voyage!

First and foremost, self-care is the pinnacle of priorities when it comes to my “things to do” for building a successful business. My self-care consists of four essential pillars: mental, physical, financial, and spiritual health. In which, all are of equal importance to me. One without the other creates dysfunction. Throughout my professional journey, I have learned the value of each of these pillars and how they play an integral role in the perpetuity of my company. Please know that I did not achieve good health in these areas all at once. It was a process! A process that can only come when failures and tests arrive. I’ll be first to share my story in hopes that it will help the next in their self-care journey!

So, boom! Mental health was the first order of business for me. My entire life, society has sold me a dream that if I went to college, got a high-paying job, I would be happy. So, what did I do? I went to college and got a high-paying job! After a couple of years of living the “dream,” I crashed – so to speak. I found myself confused with depression and suicidal thoughts. How could I have worked so hard to achieve everything I wanted but be so unhappy? Well, that’s when the soul search began. I grew to learn that mental health is like an open wound. If you do not give it the attention, care, and treatment that it needs, it can escalate to a larger problem. For me, that is exactly what happened.
Before, I never took the time to ask myself how I’m feeling and how I can show up better for myself. This led to unhealed wounds and pains. When things surpassed my control, I went to therapy and healed! Therapy is one of the best steps to take when getting mentally healthy! Once I healed, I had joy from within, not from societal standards! From there, I was able to think for myself and approach every project with confidence and peace. Mental health is imperative for success because, as a creator, everything starts from the mind. The ideas, the inspiration, and the visions start in the brain and pour out naturally! Now, I work for a healthy mind!

Next was financial and spiritual health, which came as a package deal for me! Early in my career, the company I worked for was very demanding of my time but paid me extremely well! I shopped, traveled, and gave back! However, I was overworked and exhausted. With my mental health practices, I started becoming aware of my prioritization skills. I was prioritizing making money over spending time with family, friendships, milestone celebrations, and even holidays! Though work-life balance is real, I had no balance! I worked around the clock. I had money in the bank, but I had no memories with the people I cared about the most. I knew that something had to change. So, I left the company and sat with myself until I figured out what direction I wanted to go. I knew I would continue designing, but how? In what way?
I decided to work with another company that eventually went out of business, leaving me unemployed with no income! I went from living a life of luxury to a life of survival. My savings account was depleted, and I had no idea how my bills were going to be paid or where my next meal would come from. So, what did I do? Like many of us, who paid no mind to God until we needed something, I prayed… By God’s grace and miracles, my bills were paid every month, and I had food in my refrigerator. This was six months of God carrying me and teaching me how to lean on him for all my needs. In doing so, and having the free time without working, I was able to launch my business and build my company from the ground up! I learned that financial problems could happen to anyone at any time. In my self-care practices, I always evaluate how my financial decisions can affect my life, how I should lean on God, and how to steward well! Financial health has taught me to evaluate every line item in bookkeeping, offer the best deals to my clients, and value the designs I create! Without surviving financial struggle, I wouldn’t have the wisdom that I do today to close major deals!

Lastly, was physical health. Thankfully, this has been a very simple self-care practice for me. Going to the gym, moving my body, making healthier food choices, cooking from home, taking vitamins, and going to the doctor have completely changed my quality of life! Not only am I in the best shape of my life, I also show up for my clients with energy and the desire to go further! My design performance is vibrant with new and fresh ideas! This is because I have established a routine that keeps my body healthy and prevents anything that can be a threat to it.

All in all, mental, physical, spiritual, and financial health are what I focus on for self-care. These pillars have poured into all areas of my business and success! Because of this, I am able to show up exceptionally for my clients and provide with them with highest quality of service and design!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Of course!

I am a Luxury Residential Interior Designer and Owner of JVonte’ Designs, which is an interior design studio based in Dallas, TX.

As I approach 10 years as an interior designer, the most exciting thing has been the quality of day-to-day living that I get to gift people! Many of my clients are looking for a design that transforms their home into a place that reflects their personality and provides an experience that can never be duplicated! JVonte’ Designs is all about blessing others one design at a time!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Hmmm, great question.

I would say the three qualities that are most impactful in my journey are:
1. Becoming a sponge- if you are planning to start your own business, be sure to work under someone who has mastered it. Learn from the best and you will become the best!
2. Take your time – it is better to do things slowly and well than it is to do them fast and sloppily.
3. Trust yourself – remember what your standards and boundaries are. If you don’t have it all figured out, rely on your instincts to help guide you. When you know you’ve made the best decision you possibly can, it is easier to sit with yourself and make any corrections.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

Ooof! My parents are everything to me! I really don’t play about them!

I would say the most impactful thing my parents do for me is give me tough love.
Don’t get me wrong, majority of the time, they are soft with their parenting approach, but when they see me going through adversity, they always give me the uncut truth! Some may say, “they don’t sugar-coat!”

I value the tough love they give me because this type of advice prepares me for whatever outcome a situation may present.

I wouldn’t be where I am with my amazing parents and supportive community!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jvontedesigns/