Meet Denean Jackson | Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Denean Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Denean, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m originally from Milwaukee, WI. My husband and I moved to Charlotte, NC almost 16 years ago with our children. Growing up in Milwaukee was amazing. My upbringing molded me to be resilient and to go get what I want. At a young age, I saw my mom and dad support my brother and me as a young married couple. Making sure our home was always nice and that we always had just what we needed.

My mom is creative that’s where my creative side comes in. She always decorated our home and made sure it was spic and span! My dad has always been a hustler and entrepreneur owning a custom blind company in Wisconsin. So I get my grind from him.

At 24 my husband and I started our real estate and commercial cleaning business which we still run to this day. We also own an intimate gathering space (venue) right outside of Charlotte, an Airbnb property in Florida, rental property in Charlotte, and now my Interior design firm that I’ve been running for going on 6 years.

What should our readers know about your business?
Being an entrepreneur is not easy, let me just start there. I had my first taste of entrepreneurship at the age of 24. My husband and I started a commercial cleaning company. First starting a business you will be spending long days and nights working the business physically and mentally. We initially invested in a franchise company so we received training from them on what products to use .professionally and that’s about it! It was up to us to set our business standards and practices. Integrity is big to me, doing things right and by the book help us to become their top franchisee.

One of the most difficult things I could remember is when we would only get paid once a month from the franchise company and sometimes the payments would be short, we would pay the employees from our 9-5 paycheck in order to make payroll it was a lot of juggling back then. If I could give someone who may be in the same situation juggling a 9-5 plus side business advice it would be to stay consistent don’t give up, it may hurt and sometimes you may not see the light at the end of the tunnel but if you keep moving forward eventually you will.

After a few years, we decided to branch away from the franchise and solely run the business on our own by gaining our clientele. Next, it was real estate buying our first property and doing minor renovations excited my husband and I overall we have owned 5 homes plus land and we are looking to purchase more! We no longer work 9-5 jobs but we did for many years in order to be in the position we are in now. When my husband and I first decided to go into business for ourselves we knew that our first business would be the building block for more.

My latest venture is starting my own interior design firm. Design is my passion. I will admit I thought it was going to be so easy picking pretty things all day. Um, not quite honestly design is a small part of the business I would say 80% is business and 20% is actually design. After realizing that I put my head in the game and decided to go all in and not run my business like a hobby but instead like a corporation, I’m happy to say that in these 5 years each year my business has grown and currently our firm is working on 10+ renovation projects.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m sort of a foodie so we would hit up a few local food spots that have a great vibe with live music. I love a restaurant that has great cocktail options. We would definitely have to do a little shopping for home decor, and have a little outdoor fun at top golf!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The support I receive from my husband is unmatched. Prior to starting my interior design firm. I was an accounting Comptroller for a major automotive brand here in NC. I remember going up for that position feeling inadequate and he literally spoke life into me on a daily basis saying “You can do this”! This job is yours”! Who you are surrounded by determines your future. Climbing the corporate ladder was not easy being a woman of color, so there were many nights I had to stay late and go above and beyond my other colleagues.

He would pick up the slack at home with cooking, cleaning assisting with the children even after a long day of work at his demanding job all while running our business. Insane! Of course, I received the position just as he always knew that I would. But, a few years later I had a bright idea to quit that 6figure position to open an interior design firm with no formal training. Guess what? He was all for it and even invested in my business!!! I’m the women I am today because of the way he loves me.

Website: www.dnicoledecor.com

Instagram: @dnicoledesignstudio

Image Credits
Krista Cox studio, Gray Scale Photography, Toni Lovejoy