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

Hi Jane, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

There were many reasons and thoughts that went into deciding to start my own business. A large reason why I decided to start my own business was to challenge myself and to grow as a designer. More responsibilities create more challenges but in return it also allows for more creative freedoms. Lastly, I wanted a better work life balance, haha that was a misconception that I had about owning my own business. However, it does allow for more flexibility when I need it.

Lastly, being a black woman in the interior design and construction field can be challenging and I wanted to make it in this industry on my own.  I wanted to know that my clients chose to hire me because of the reputation that I have built and not just the company name that I worked for.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am the Principle Designer of Bradford Design Group, a full service residential interior design firm. I started my company almost four years ago and it has been a wild ride.

We were busy since day one which is pretty amazing but has also created its own unique set of challenges. I have to always remind people, that naturally I am an artist, a designer, not a business woman. The business part I am learning and everyday I face new challenges and learn from both my achievements and mistakes. I am thankful for having such a large support network filled with business savvy people to help me navigate through this aspect of running a design firm because trust me, I’d rather spend my time working on construction drawings and selection plans than business plans. I love what I do and I love to learn new skills. Running a business is not easy but learning how to run my company successfully is a new skill that for the most part I have really enjoyed learning. We are getting ready to announce a few big changes on how we structure our projects and pricing and I think that this will be a game changer for not only BDG but for our clients. We are still working out the details but I am really excited about it. Who would have thought that I would get so excited about a new business plan!?

One of the reasons why I love residential interior design isn’t just because I have a small obsession with looking at tiles, lighting or paint colors (insert wink) but because I love getting to know my clients. I love getting to know their families, because truly the people who fill the house is who makes it a home. Getting to know their stories, where they came from, how they met, what their hobbies are, what colors make them sing and which make them cringe is where I draw my true inspiration. What makes a house a home is to create a space where they can be themselves, where they feel proud to host a gathering, where they feel comfortable to let loose and snuggle up on a sofa with their kids for movie night. We want to create a beautiful environment for them to do all of those things but more importantly we want to create a home that makes sense for their family. Rooms that are laid out with thought, textiles that are selected to withstand a four year old and look good while doing it. A kitchen that not only will be the space to create a meal but be the space that will allow for memories to be made for years to come. I like to think that this is what sets us apart. We are not only about creating a beautiful space to have published but to turn a house into a home. To create a home that will function to its best abilities for our clients for years to come.

We have a saying or design philosophy at Bradford Design Group, “Design with Soul” you will see this on our main page on our website and we often use it as a hashtag on social media. What we mean by “Design With Soul” is this, “We believe a home should celebrate the spirit and individuality of the people who live there. It should invite connection, give way to warmth and laughter, and ultimately, inspire bliss.”

We want to offer a different approach to Interior Design, we want to work as a group not only with our internal team but with our contractors and our clients. Our contractors are professionals in their trades and we respect their knowledge and their ideas. Our clients, well this is their house, their home. We want to offer them guidance and present ideas and designs to them but we also encourage their feedback, we want to work collaboratively with them. We want them to take pride in the spaces that we help them create, to feel ownership of the home that we help them transform. In the end, we want them to walk in and say “this is home” and to be proud of it. Every project, every design is unique because every person and family is unique and the homes that we help create show that. You will never find the same design in a home that we do because our design inspiration will always be our clients.

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.
This is a fun question! First off, I would cook them a home cooked meal with my family. I love to cook, especially for family and friends. Best friends are family so I want them to feel at home and welcome in my house. I always want people to feel comfortable and at home in my house. Second, I would take them on a hike around Red Rocks. I love the mountains and I love music. I feel like the trails at Red Rocks represents one of the many aspects of what I love so much about our state. The beauty of the colors in the rocks with the wild flowers contrasted against our blue skies can leave you speechless. Then seeing the grandness of the amphitheater is amazing, with the combination of the museum underneath that walks you through the amazing history of all of the iconic musicians that have played there is so cool. If we have time I would love to bring them to one of our many natural hot springs in the mountains. There would definitely have to be a night out in Rhino which would include a swanky dinner followed by some live music at a dive bar. I love dive bars. Then breakfast at the Breakfast Queen, our go to spot. We would also need to save time for late night talks around our firepit, because that is what bestfriends are for, someone to share all your thoughts with.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely, there have been so many people who have encouraged me, supported me and are always rooting for me. One of my largest supporters, my husband. He has shown me so much support and encouragement through this journey of starting my own company and I can’t thank him enough for everything that he has done. And he has done a lot, from working two jobs to working overnights while I was getting the company off the ground. I don’t now how often people share this or if its true for everyone but for me, owning my own business has easily been the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life and my husband has been there for me every step of the way. He helps me pick up the pieces when all I want to do is quit, he tells me what I don’t want to hear when I need to hear it. He is the first person to cheer me on when I conquer those hard challenges and to take me out and celebrate. He is my largest supporter. My parents have been there from day one and have taught me so many important life lessons that have bleed into my company and work ethics. They have taught me to be proud of who I am and embrace not only my differences but differences of others. They have taught me how to work hard, to challenge myself and to keep going. They have also taught me how to be humble, how to take joy in my accomplishments but not to get lost in them. They have embraced and encouraged my creativity ever since I was a small child and they not only supported my decision to go to an art college but they encouraged it. I am so grateful for them as well as my whole family and for my husband and son for helping me get to where I am today.

Website: www.bradforddesigngroup.com

Instagram: bradford.design.group

Image Credits
Kristina Ellis Photography

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