We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deneen Douglas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deneen below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Deneen with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
A strong work ethic is something that was given to me at birth. I come from a family who believes that hard work pays off. Almost every day my dad would shout, “HARDWORK,” and I would yell back “DEDICATION!” My father is an extremely hardworking man. As the first person in his family to go to college, he understands the value of education and having a solid work ethic.
My entire life, I have watched my father fight to achieve the career he has so desired. To get to where he wanted to go, he knew it would require more work, more education, more sacrifices. As a black man in corporate America, I’ve seen how he has had to work ten times harder than the next person to get to the exact same place. Though the situation could’ve been discouraging, my dad worked and still works thirty times harder than the next person. I’ve never met another person with more degrees or certifications than my father. Everything he’s worked for and continues to work for is for his family.
My mother has also been a shining example for me when it comes to work ethic. Our family jokes that she has 7 jobs because she is always working. My mom is a BOSS and I love that for her. She is the one that inspired and cultivated my love for all things sewing and crafting. She’s a mom, wife, sister, best friend, leadership coach, Director of Coaching Programs and Services, a business owner, among many, many other things. One of my most common things I ask her is “When are you not working?”
From the time I was young, I’ve watched her grow in her coaching career. For decades, she has been learning, preparing, and coaching so that she may make a difference in the lives of others. A few a years ago she finally made it to the top and became a Master Certified Coach (MCC). She put thousands and thousands of hours into reaching this goal. I saw the sparkle in her eye when she finally received the confirmation that she had indeed reached the apex of the coaching world. I have seen the fruits of my parents’ labor. Growing up in that environment, how can I not have an amazing work ethic?
I have applied everything I’ve learned, seen, and heard growing up and continue to use it in my everyday life. When it came to my schooling, especially my master’s degree, I channeled my dad. I remember all those days walking into the basement, asking my dad what he was doing, and him telling me what class he was taking. I remember how him sharing his marketing books with me at age ten led me to a master’s degree in marketing; a degree I use on the daily basis to advance my fashion career. Because of him, I pushed to graduate with that 4.0.
My mom just recently told me a story about when she first taught me to crochet. She told me how sometimes, if the pattern looks wrong or a row is too short, you will have to take it out. Sometimes that means hours of work is gone…but is it? Because of her, I am not afraid to take a dress apart and redo a section or even start over. Yes, there may be some tears but stop and think, what did you learn when taking the dress apart? Did you learn a new technique? Did you learn how NOT to do something? There is always learning within the pain. And yes, it does to this day, still pain me to take apart a dress. But ultimately, I know I will be more satisfied with the product I am putting out. I always put out my best. Because my product represents me. My product IS me. I want to give the client what they deserve, and what they deserve is the best of me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a plus size bridal and evening wear designer. Traditionally, bridal gowns are not made for the plus size body. The fashion industry has shifted in the past few years when it comes the acceptance of plus size bodies. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. With my business J.A.D.E.S. Galleria, I want to create greater access to well-fitting gowns that are specifically made for plus size brides. The structure within my gowns is specifically made with the plus size woman in mind. This means adding extra boning, bigger bra cups, and other structural pieces within a dress to make sure my brides feel secure and comfortable. Generally, plus size bridal gowns are just cut in larger sizes. Adjustments are not made for larger breasts or wider hips. This “one size fits all” approach does not work for everyone. This is what takes my dresses from a regular bridal gown to a J.A.D.E.S. Galleria gown. Just like my clients, the beauty in my dresses begins from the inside, from the foundation, it’s core.
A new product I am excited about is our “Every Body” T-shirt. The t-shirt, like my company, is a celebration of our differences. It is a visual representation of how every body, no matter what shape or size, is beautiful. The t-shirt will be available for purchase on my website and TikTok Shop later this summer.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Learn to clap for others: In the age of social media, it is so easy to compare your journey to others. You see other designers with countless clients or even celebrity clients. It easy extremely easy to compare journeys and feel inadequate. What you must remember is that on social media, people show you only what they want you to see. You see the beautiful gowns and lavish vacations on Instagram. But what you don’t see are the sleepless nights, the tears cried, the years of hard work and dedication it took for that designer to get where they are now. Instead of getting jealous, clap for them! Get excited! Congratulate them on their success. Reach out to them and ask for tips. If it can happen for them, it can happen for you too! There is room for all of us in the industry.
Always be open to learning: I am always on the internet browsing Pinterest for ideas or reading sewing books on couture finishes. There is so much to learn. This is true for both the business and artistic side of design. Learning helps you stay relevant in an ever-changing industry. I want to be the best at what I do, so I will try my best to learn all I can.
BE PATIENT: I always have to remind myself that this is a journey. On days where I feel like I’m not getting anywhere, I just think back to where I was a few years ago. Or even to last year. This year, I completed my first pageant dress. My client placed in the top 11 of the Miss Maryland USA pageant. Last year, I designed myself a gown so I could dress up as a pageant queen for Halloween. I was manifesting my dreams and little did I know, the realization was right around the corner.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The most important book in my life is the Bible. My Christian faith is central to who I am as a person. In hard times my faith has kept me grounded. Sometimes when a dress is particularly stressing me out, I stop, and I pray. It gives me peace and the reassurance that I have the knowledge and capability to complete the garment accurately and beautifully. For as long as I can remember, my mother has made me recite the Bible verse Philippians 4:13. It says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That is the verse, my favorite verse, I go to when I experience any problem big or small.
Another one of my favorite verses is Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that in all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” This verse lets me know that no matter what I go through, it will all work out in the end because God is my protector.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jadesgalleria.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jadesgalleria
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/JADESGalleria
- Other: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@distinctlydeneen
Image Credits
Corrin Studios
