Meet Janna Ziegler | Rug curator and Business Owner

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

Hi Janna, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always been entrepreneurial–I love trying new things and taking risks. But I started this business a bit by chance. I took a leave of absence from my job during the pandemic to care for my four children. We were living in Los Angeles at the time, and when we found out that school was going to be virtual, I knew that that would require at least one full-time parent. Honestly, I started sourcing rugs for my mental health, as a creative outlet from the madness of quarantining with four young children. I starting selling locally out of my front yard. That grew into business. It really was an experiment that emerged into a business. I recognized some potential at the beginning, but once it started moving it became obvious that there was a niche that my business was satisfying so I kept leaning into that. And that is still what I’m doing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My professional journey has been a windy one. My primary vocation is as an Anglican priest–which normally catches people of guard. Like how does this connect to that. But the thread throughout my professional career is beauty. Beauty is both transcendent and it also shows up in our daily lives– in nature and in what we fill our homes with (paintings and textiles, etc). Really it was the beauty that I experienced the church – the architecture, the vestments, the incense that begin my journey into how the objects in our home have meaning and shape us and move us. My business and brand isn’t just about rugs, its about beauty. It’s about the enchantment of material reality and how that shapes our daily lives.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m still pretty new to Atlanta, so it would be a ‘let’s explore together’ kind of itinerary. I love Grant Park. I love architecture and the homes and park in that neighborhood are so good. I live near Buford Highway and would definitely take someone on food tour through there. The dumplings at Northern China Eatery are on point.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to my husband, Jon. He really came alongside and helped out a ton. It takes a village to make life work, especially with kids in tow. For my first couple of pop ups in Los Angeles, Jon did for me solo because I was traveling with the kids. I’ve got a second shout out. My sister, Jess, recently joined the company and she’s be a huge breath of fresh air. We’ve had to basically re-start here in Atlanta and figure out what works here. Atlanta and LA are very different places. She’s been instrumental in sorting out what Highland Rugs looks like here in Atlanta.

Website: highlandparkrugs.com

Instagram: @highlandrugs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highlandparkrugs