Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaclyn Szerdi Morrison.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jaclyn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My interest in Interior Design started from my Father pointing out my eye for space and form at a young age. I had no intention of ever owning a company because my Father was an entrepreneur and I watched the roller coaster of that responsibility growing up. Yet, here I am, 30 years old, and I own a company. I started my career in Atlanta, where I quickly figured out corporate America was not for me. After moving back home to South Florida, backpacking throughout Europe and a one-year hiatus from the field, I met my now business partner, Joy Lynskey, through our Alma Mater (University of Florida). Joy started a studio around cultivating creativity and the importance of culture two years prior and offered me a partnership track. I accepted the position and, within two years, became the managing design director and a partner at Jewel Toned Interiors (JTI). JTI is currently in its sixth year and is constantly growing, adapting and changing with the industry. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a partner and leader. Work does not feel like work, it’s a passion and I’m excited for the possibility of JTI’s future.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I once heard that if the path is easy, then its not worth taking. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, but not in business. However, I own a business and manage a team of designers. I’ve learned business skills from my partner, as well as from books, podcasts and YouTube videos. Every day is a learning opportunity and I can tell you I’ve made plenty of mistakes, each time growing exponentially.
Three months after my first year as a business owner, the COVID-19 pandemic rocked our world and we dealt with financial and emotional stress. We had to furlough two of our employees and cut any and all operating costs. Being a leader in that moment was a major learning experience. Through it all, we are better versions of ourselves and as a team.
Jewel Toned Interiors – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We’re a licensed interior design boutique serving Fort Lauderdale and South Florida. We value and appreciate our client’s trust, which results in work that exceeds expectations. Our diverse backgrounds span corporate, healthcare, retail, hospitality and residential sectors, allowing us a wide array of competencies to match the unique demands of each client. From beginning to end, we provide an exceptional level of creative and professional service.
What sets JTI apart from other interior designers is that all of our projects are conceptually based. We start with a big idea and we drill down into the intimate details. By actively listening, we create environments that consider each client’s unique statement, financial commitment and functional concerns. These completed spaces provide a sensory experience and an emotional connection that inspires pride of ownership and self-expression. With a focus on wellness, each design considers the health and well being of its users and how the space can make a difference in our client’s lives.
We are a dedicated team committed to producing extraordinary results and supporting one another through authenticity, integrity, and compassion. Our culture is something we are most proud of as a studio! We serve clients nationwide with a specialty focus on South Florida. Many of our clients are from Vero Beach to West Palm Beach down to Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale and also Stuart and Tampa.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Personally, success is not defined by the amount of money I make or by the title in my email signature. Success is loving myself for who I am, exactly where I am and knowing that I can live into any future I create. Success is making an impact in someone’s life. I can say that I am successful.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1421 SE 4th Ave, Suite C, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
- Website: www.jeweltoned.com
- Phone: (954) 774-9565
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @jeweltonedinteriors
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jtidesignstudio/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jewel-toned-interiors-fort-lauderdale
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jewel-toned-interiors/
Image Credit:
Keith Douglas Photography, Carlos Granados, Joaquin Anico, Justus Martin
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