We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jennifer Hutton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jennifer, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
As a child-free millennial, an only child, and a woman who recently, with her husband, picked up and left everything she’s known to move 700 miles away, finding purpose has looked a little different than many of my peers and friends. You might think that purpose is found in family and interpersonal relationships, but with a small and not terribly close family dynamic, I’ve shifted my perspective to find meaning in my work. Throughout my entire career I have put the most effort, care, love and creativity into my career of being a kitchen and bath designer. Developing my work ethic and self discipline from scratch and having those qualities lead me to a successful nearly 10 year run in Buffalo, NY, I’ve honed and cultivated my daily job into a meaningful reason to wake up everyday. When my husband and I decided to relocate to Durham, NC in the summer of 2021, I had to redirect my purpose to a new focus- developing the interior design company my boss and I launched. I was no longer ‘just’ a kitchen and bath designer, but I was now working on a new set of projects with different scopes, requirements and timelines. Furthermore, I was starting to work on a new set of personal skills that I didn’t know I had in me. While my purpose is deeply and mainly rooted in my career, it offers more than I thought possible.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Professionally, I work on high-end remodel and new construction homes, helping clients design their dream spaces and creating unique answers to design dilemmas. After moving to North Carolina to work at a boutique residential building company, my boss and I felt there was something missing from our offering. We decided to launch Grau Design Studio and create a more relevant approach to serving clients both building company clients or independent homeowners. Most recently (as of the last 2 weeks!) we’ve embarked on building a brand new design studio complete with a live, interactive kitchen display, state of the art appliances, stunning materials and finishes and the most functional cabinetry available. There is so much on the horizon!
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?
It’s difficult to pinpoint only 3 skills and areas of knowledge that were impactful. Most importantly, having a strong sales background was critical to any success I had. Whether you’re selling your design, your skills or a physical product, being able to sell and understand how to read people comes in handy. Furthermore, having a strong sense of self discipline is something that allowed me to stand out. While I learned early on in college that putting in the time and effort yields the best results, it really became evident in the professional world. Additionally, great listening skills will go a long way with clients. Understanding what they ‘mean’ vs what they ‘say’ and being able to decipher what they may not be able to articulate will boost their confidence in you as a designer and a friend.
How would you describe your ideal client?
While there is no such thing as a perfect client, there are certainly ideal characteristics that many of my favorite clients have exhibited. First and foremost, a client needs to have trust in me. When I’m designing I often come up with two options: a safe and a wild version of the same design. If a client knows I am meeting their needs in the finished product but are a little hesitant on finishes, for example, a little trust in the process will go a long way. Usually, fortune favors the bold. Some of my other favorite clients were fun, excited about the project and at the same time, they were level-headed. It’s nearly impossible to go through a remodel project from start to finish without a hiccup or snafu, and being mentally and financially prepared for the unexpected has always made those situations go a little more smoothly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://graudesign.studio/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferhutton_pro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jenniferhuttonpro
Image Credits
Sarah Martin Photography Mark Terry Photography
