Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Braidwood.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hi there! I’m the owner of BRAID & WOOD Design Studio (braidandwood.com ). I’m a born and raised San Diego native with an on-fire passion for home decor products, interior design, decorating & styling. I’m 37, married, and a dog-mom to Zuzu – a part-time diva and part-time Coton de Tulear.
I’ve spent the majority of my professional career (over 12+ years) in marketing, branding, creative content development, website development, and social media strategy. However, I’ve always been pulled by an undercurrent of bubbling creativity and the desire to seek out an opportunity to go after what I really love, home decor, interior design, styling and decorating.
In July of 2018, both my husband and I wanted to make some major life changes. So, we kicked things off by selling our home (we literally just finished a massive gut renovation) and moved into a 900 square foot apartment. Our mission was solely focused on simplifying our lives. I also quit my full-time job as a Director of Marketing and Creative Development for a non-profit organization here in San Diego, CA and started my own business. I had a general idea of what I wanted to do, something in the interior design space, but I wasn’t sure what that something would look like. I wanted it to develop naturally. I wanted to take things slow and see what fit. I wanted to spend my days being creative in the areas of home decor and interior spaces, and I wanted to connect with other like-minded women who had a passion for design and for business. Armed with a professional skill set and over a decade of experience in branding, marketing, and social media strategy, I was so ready to put my time and energy into my very OWN brand and business.
Four months ago, in January, I launched my first product line, a collection of modern brass and wood indoor plant hangers, that can now be purchased in over 70 different boutique retailers in the United States and through my website. In addition to that, I have worked with a few amazing clients in San Diego, CA, styling and decorating their homes. I’m currently working on expanding the BRAID & WOOD product line and bringing the products to more unique retailers across the country.
I’ve been really lucky to have connected with some amazing women mentors along the way who have helped me define and focus my business through product design and development. I had no idea the San Diego design community would be so welcoming and so helpful. It is unbelievably refreshing to have people rooting for you, supporting you, and holding you up as you tackle your next challenge.
When it comes down to it, I find a lot of personal joy in home decor and interior design, as well as branding, marketing, and PR. Melding all of that together has been so rewarding.
I’m excited to see how BRAID & WOOD Design Studio develops and grows over the next year. After all, I’m just getting started.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When you’re starting your own business every single thing falls on YOU and there’s a big learning curve. Whether it was navigating the business license and sellers permit applications or getting my website launched, I for sure struggled with the realization that it wasn’t all going to get done in one day. Pacing myself and having some major self-compassion were and still are really important.
There are always going to be challenges in anything that you do, but it’s all about perspective. When I started this journey I was just so utterly grateful for the opportunity and the TIME to do my own thing that some of the hard stuff just wasn’t that big of a deal. I’m lucky that I had a lot of support from my husband, friends, family and an amazing network of other small business owners. I leaned on people a lot and I still do. I’m always trying to find someone who’s doing it better than me so I can learn from them.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with BRAID & WOOD Design Studio – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
BRAID & WOOD Design Studio is known for our product line of modern artisan-made plant hangers. You can find our products in over 70 retailers in the US and in six different retailers right here in San Diego County, including Small Batch, Landmark Plant Co, North Park Nursery, Craftmossphere, Kiko & Sven, and Thistle.
There is a lot of love and a lot of energy that goes into everything, and it’s still all very personal. If a retailer orders from me here in San Diego, I make the effort to personally drop off the order myself and I do it because I genuinely love meeting fellow business owners and creatives. I think connecting with others is so important. We all have something to share, we all have something to learn, and we all have something to teach. Connecting with others really affords me the most amazing business lessons that I could not have learned anywhere else.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
BRAID & WOOD is still a relatively new business (founded in January of 2019) so we have a lot ahead of us. We have immediate plans to expand the product line with new and exciting designs for the home and plant decor space, all while streamlining product production for higher volumes. Continuing to grow our retailer base nationally will remain a priority, but we also plan to expand into the commercial design space (cafes, restaurants, coffee shops, weddings, etc.) for custom plant hanger installations. Growing and expanding the interior design side of the business will remain a primary focus as well.
Pricing:
- BRAID & WOOD Plant Hangers Retail from $24 – $44
- Interior Design and Styling Rates – please email braidandwood@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: braidandwood.com
- Email: braidandwood@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braidandwood/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braidandwood/
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
