A New Journey + My Kitchen Tour

Photo credit: Jennifer Vacca @ Zoot Shoot Photographers

Some of you have heard my story before but I thought I would share it again. I hope to be an inspiration for those of you who may hesitate on following your dreams. My advice…Take a chance. It will all be worth it! 🙂

Two and a half years ago, I embarked on a new journey…Jeanne Campana Design.

After graduating from design school and working in New York City as a hospitality designer on some of the most amazing projects, I decided to leave the world of design after the birth of my first son and I quit my job. It wasn’t an easy decision, and I was completely filled with anxiety, but I thought it was best for my family. My husband said to me, “If you want to stay home, stay home. You’ll never get this time back but you can always go back to work when you are ready”. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, they were wise words. I am so grateful for his support and for giving me that opportunity. Being a stay at home mom has it challenges but it has also been my most rewarding experience. I have no regrets, but without a doubt, a full time mom is a full time job!

Throughout the years of being a stay at home mom, I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to design two of my own homes as well as homes for friends and family. It was my creative outlet. I would buy tons of decorating magazines, search the web for ideas and read as much as I could in order to stay up to date on current trends. I have always dreamed of being my own boss someday but I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to get there.

I have thought about starting this business for years, even before I became a mom. But as a busy mother of three children, it was hard to find the confidence to pull the trigger. How would I ever balance being a mother, take care of my family and run a business all at once? How would I find the time to meet with clients, draw, prepare presentations, source furniture and fabrics and still be home on time for the bus, take my kids to their baseball practices, football games and ballet classes? How will I ever find the time to make dinner?!!

SO HOW DID IT ALL HAPPEN?

After taking on a major kitchen remodel in my own home, I realized how much I missed working in the design industry. I loved the whole design process of my kitchen from start to finish. From simple sketches to detailed drawings, material selections and construction management, seeing it all come together was incredibly satisfying. The end result was the kitchen of my dreams and one very happy family. It means the world to me to see my family and friends gather in kitchen and enjoy my accomplishment as much as I do. So with the support of my amazing husband… my biggest cheerleader, who gave me the courage to do what I love, has hugged me when I felt overwhelmed and high fived me whenever a new job opportunity came along…I convinced myself to take the plunge. I showed my kids how to do their own laundry, put their dishes in the dishwasher, and made sure they kept their rooms clean. Sometimes (ok, more than sometimes) they still need daily reminders and a little bit of help (ok, a lot of help) but everyone was on board with my new business venture. It is definitely not easy…early mornings, late nights and a lot of carpooling in between, but at the end of the day, I am doing what I love and it‘s all worth it.

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY…

It’s been super busy around here and I have lots of projects in the works. I am excited to share them all with you soon. There will be lots of photo shoots coming up as well as the addition of some new services on my website. And of course, my blog, which has been a place where I can share my current projects and offer designer tips and inspiration. I am so thankful for all of you who stop by and take the time to read it. I am just getting started and I hope to grow this little blog of mine over the next year.

So here’s the project that started it all…my kitchen!

Photo credit: Emily Sidoti Photography

I am blessed to have the opportunity to share my love of interior design and so very thankful for the support I have received from my family, friends, colleagues, clients and my blog readers to make my dream of having my own business a reality.

So if you are not already doing so…

Visit my website, enter your email and follow my blog, like and share my Facebook page and send me your questions and comments. I would love to hear from you. You can also follow me on Instagram, @jeannecampanadesign  for a peek into my daily life as a designer and mom and head over to my Pinterest page, where I am constantly pinning new images on a daily basis, for ideas and inspiration.

And if you, or someone you know, are thinking of starting your own business, please share my story. Surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed and take the plunge. I’ll be right there rooting for you. Go ahead, go for it, you got this!