Meet Emmy Jeffries

We recently connected with Emmy Jeffries and have shared our conversation below.

Emmy, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

When you’re a woman in the field of construction, you’re typically the odd one out, but when you’re young and a woman there’s an added level of disconnection that makes effective communication more difficult. The greatest equalizer is to open a door of courtesy; let them know you respect them as a professional, you trust they know their field and hope they can put their trust in you as a professional in your field. I love to remind people that I trust them because it creates an air of respect that eases those uncomfortable conversations. When you’re both trying to work together toward a common goal it should be easy to say “My idea is __, but I’d like to hear your idea of a resolution as I trust you to be the professional in your field”. If someone feels respected, it’s easier for them to give respect and hear you out.

Now I would be lying if I said I hadn’t dealt with some disdain from the stereotypical older men of the industry; being the only one who looks like you, it’s easy to be disregarded or minimized. It will happen, that’s a fact of life, but it’s up to you to prove that you deserve to be where you are and deserve their respect. If they fail to be good business partners because of their own biases, then find new partners because they aren’t worthy of your time or effort.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I founded Damewood Designs in 2020, we’re an interior design studio that focuses on the psychology behind design while putting intention and integrity at the forefront. At Damewood we prioritize people; we want to make good design more accessible, easier, and better for the end user. We don’t focus on what’s trending or in; we take a psychological approach to each client and environment’s needs, potential, and flow. With both residential and commercial projects, we understand that our job is to solve today’s struggles but also be flexible for the future’s possibilities. Our passion is to make our spaces work for the end user so their life is easier, whether that is by flexibility, longevity, affordability, or something else entirely. We love problem solving so our projects are special in the fact that they’re never the same or boring.

A project I’m elated to be a part of right now is steeped in history; I’m working with local developers and architects to design an architectural gateway into the historic Beulah Park. The racetrack boasted live horse racing and for a short stint even showed Greyhound races. It was the first thoroughbred racetrack and event center in Ohio and became a staple in the community. Since closing in 2014, the site has become part of a masterplan for the growing area. It’s revitalizing the land into a public park with water features and sculpture work by a local artist to remember the historical significance of the area. Since joining the team, I’ve been working to bring elements of the original track into the building design. I pull from the patterns, materials, and colors of the original and am incorporating them in special ways that give a nod to the past. We’re blending respect for the land and history with modern design and meeting a changing community’s needs.

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?

If you’re early in your journey and still trying to get that foothold where you feel like you’re on the right track, the best advice I have is to take a deep breath and tell yourself: “It takes time, but I will get there.” Three skills that make getting there easier are patience, people skills, and perseverance. They’re invaluable skills to have in any facet of life but especially in business.

I’ve become more patient through small games with myself; allowing myself to be uncomfortable in times when I want to distract myself with my phone or gently parenting myself to stay calm when I want to pop back a hasty email if something doesn’t go my way. It’s like any muscle, it takes time under tension to develop.

My second suggestion would be the knowledge of people skills; people make the world go round and they’re the ones making the decisions. If you know how to work with others, understand their viewpoint, and just be personable enough to have a conversation with anyone, they’re more likely to want to work with you. One way I work my people skills is by trying to be more personable over email, asking people how their weekend was — did they do anything they enjoyed, hope they’re enjoying the sunshine or that they were able to enjoy a long weekend. People will open up if you give them room and encouragement.

Thirdly, perseverance has been a skill that develops with time and experience. The further I get into my journey, the more I’m willing to work on problems to find a solution. When I first started, I would face a problem and be ready to quit, but I have a tattoo on my wrist that says “keep going”. I wasn’t sure why I even got it when I did but it’s been the reminder I needed to keep working at something to find the solution. I’m not advising anyone to go get a tattoo for motivation, maybe a post-it would be enough! Being a business owner isn’t easy work, I’m always learning and sometimes that’s because of a challenge or something not going as I anticipated. It’s easy to be faced with a problem and quit but it’s more rewarding to keep working at solutions until you get the remedy.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Always! I love collaborating with others; whether that’s artists, makers, photographers, designers, it sparks my creativity to be able to unite with others and get different perspectives on a project. We love being creative and working with people who value their clients so if you’re someone who values people and creating beauty, we’d love to work with you! If anyone has a project or idea they want to connect on, they should send us an inquiry on our website or email me directly at [email protected].

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.damewooddesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damewood_designs/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmy-jeffries-265115b1/