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Top 10 Most Inspiring Women 2016

Jessica Barnak

Kindred Creative Interiors | Interior Designer/Owner | Visit Website

Jane Clark, Co-Founder & Creative Director of Brandswan, a Delaware web design agency

Why We Chose Jessica Barnak

“When I met Jessica at the last Mascara and Mimosa event, sparks flew. She is lovely, bubbly, inviting and always composed. She continued to impress and inspire me as managing director for the networking group Polka Dot Powerhouse. Her positive energy is absolutely contagious. The biggest reason Jessica is on my list — her brand is absolutely on point: the perfect amount of professional, modern, and as creative as her interior designs. So, without further adieu, please find her interview below.”

Jane Clark, Co-Founder of BrandSwan

Jessica Barnak

Kindred Creative Interiors | Interior Designer/Owner | Visit Website

The Story
Tell us how it all started. Why? What’s the story?

I was a children’s photographer for years – 12 to be exact. I picked it up to avoid going back to corporate America when my kids were born, and by the luck of the universe it turned into a successful little business. But something wasn’t right. I was doing well, had a nice studio in Hockessin, lots of clients – yet I wasn’t very happy. It took a long time and a lot of soul searching to realize that while I was good at photography, it wasn’t my PASSION. In 2010 I decided to take the leap and shut it all down. I closed the studio, canceled clients, disappointed everyone and let it all go. I spent the next 3 years digging deep and discovered that all along my passion was something that I had buried a long time ago and one day I decided to pick it up, dust it off, learn everything I possibly could, and a few years later my interior decorating business was born.

Biggest Success
What is your biggest success so far?

Grabbing a global clientele. My services are offered to anyone and everyone no matter where they live, and I was super excited to cross the ocean and receive my first international client a few months ago. It was like my version of busting through the glass ceiling.

 

But! Other than that, my biggest success has been how often I retain clients and how often they come back for more work from me. That makes me so happy.

Biggest Challenge
What is the biggest challenge in your industry? What are you doing to deal with that?

Other designers are without a doubt my biggest challenge. When you’re an artist, other artists embrace your differences, quirks and methods that might not be like their own – because you’re an artist. Interior decorating is definitely an art, yet others in my industry are critical if you think outside of the box, use off beat methods or break the industry mold.

 

I am all about breaking the industry mold, so I’ve simply stopped reading comments, looking at other designers and their work, and sort of have horse blinders on when it comes to what I do. I like to first put my client’s needs front and center, making sure I’m addressing the root of their worry before I even consider whether my methods are normal or not.

Advice
What advice would you give to a business owner starting out in your industry that you wish you would have known going in?

Learn as much as you can and draw inspiration from every other industry besides your own. Creating a room is much like creating a painting and it can be inspired by fashion, literature, art, sports – so many different areas that I look to before I turn to an interior design site. Never compare your work to someone else’s work, but instead always ask yourself if your client is happy. In the end the connection you have with the client and the solution you’ve presented for their issue is all that matters.

Surprise Tidbit
What don’t most people realize about you or your company?

I’m a one woman show. I do absolutely everything from scratch and by hand. An average living room design can take me up to 15 hours. Most people assume that I’m using a point and click design program when in fact I’m using a program that allows me to be much more detailed and accurate. The drawback is the time. The benefit is the product I provide for my client is superior.

Tomorrow we will post another fabulous gal. Stay tuned…

More 2016 Most Inspiring Women

Day 10: Jennifer McMillan — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 10: Jennifer McMillan — Inspiring Women 2016

[Jennifer] has made enormous leaps and bounds as a woman business owner. Just last month she was invited to Amazon headquarters in Seattle, WA by senior management. They chose several women-owned companies who have been successful on their site — and Jennifer was one of them. They also wanted to know more about the launch of her new brand, JennyGems. Wow! This girl knows how to market her products and I’m so thrilled and honored to be apart of the journey.

Day 9: Stefanie Roselle — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 9: Stefanie Roselle — Inspiring Women 2016

From her animal fostering, amazing new office design to the rockin’ women’s organization she co-founded along with Amber Shader, she motivates me to grow on both a personal and professional level. She has a killer team of fellow #ladybosses for her company Social Butterfly. On top of all of this, she’s amazing at what she does. I had the opportunity to sit with her on a social media panel… this girl knows her stuff! I love love love how she supports other local businesses — even competitors. Her collaborative and embracing real life and online persona makes her a joy to interact with.

Day 8: Angela Kovall — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 8: Angela Kovall — Inspiring Women 2016

Angela is a ray of sunshine. Always beaming, she makes it her mission to know and help the people she meets along the way. (Apparently we went to the same high school!) She is is the inspiration for changing how I approach marketing — think not what people can do for you but how you can people. She is an excellent teacher on spreading feelings of goodwill and increasing others self-esteem. Angela genuinely wants to see people succeed and I find that energy to be absolutely contagious. She is wonderful to have in your corner. I can’t say enough positive things about her. Simply, she makes you feel good.

Day 7: Anne Green — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 7: Anne Green — Inspiring Women 2016

What impresses me most about Anne is that she moved from Canada to Delaware and totally started what no one else has here in Newark: a very popular, resident-owned news page. With over 7,000 likes on Our Newark Delaware’s super active Facebook page, Anne has quickly become known for knowing what’s going on in our local hood. I first met her at a Wonder Women Tea event at the Blue Hen Bed and Breakfast, so we already had something in common. What I love most about her is that she builds people up. Always supportive of local businesses and meeting new people, she is a genuine joy to be around and I’m proud to know her. As a client, she is absolutely delightful to work with. Read on

Day 6: Vicki Lam — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 6: Vicki Lam — Inspiring Women 2016

[Vicki] is reliable, always professional, and present. Seriously, she is everywhere. Vicki is my go-to resource for new and awesome networking groups and events. I personally use Vicki for all my promotional products because she gives you awesome ideas and the best advice. She understands branding and so she is an awesome partner for me. I am also very proud to call her a friend.

Day 5: Nancy Dibert — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 5: Nancy Dibert — Inspiring Women 2016

Everyone on #netde knew her and looked to her as an authority in the twitter universe. If you’re an entrepreneur in Delaware, you have most likely seen Nancy’s diligent social media outreach on Google Plus, Twitter and even Facebook. Every post is thoughtful, relevant —and for me, enlightening. Every day I learn something new, which in the marketing industry is basically a necessity… Nancy is a true gem. I was humbled that someone as successful as her was building me up and took notice.

Day 3: Mona Liza Hamlin — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 3: Mona Liza Hamlin — Inspiring Women 2016

[Mona] has a very calming and warm presence. Yet at the same time, she is a gal who knows her stuff. As a mother of 1 bulldog and 2 cats, I’m often in awe of moms who have it all: running their own business and raising their children! Not only is she a lactation consultant, but also a pediatric nurse. That alone makes her an authority in her industry and increases my adoration of her 10 fold. I love that she uses a real, holistic approach with her customers and in her life.