We’re looking forward to introducing you to Emmy Jeffries. Check out our conversation below.
Emmy, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Absolutely, I’m not new to adversity or standing for my beliefs when it’s the right time and thing to do. To set the scene: it’s 2012 in a tiny, rural Ohio high school art class. The assignment: create a t-shirt with a logo of something you strongly believe in. My group decided on a tie dye shirt with “Any Love is Love” in bold scripted font. The teacher didn’t support our belief so we were told to choose something “acceptable”, obviously that didn’t go over well with us. As young, prideful students we didn’t lay down, instead we told everyone we could. Eventually the principal and superintendent got word of the situation and made sure to tell us we would be suspended or worse if we continued pushing the subject. So we did as any good trouble makers would – we enlisted over half the high school students to wear tie dye in solidarity for our right of free speech and freedom of beliefs. We kept reassuring ourselves “they can’t suspend us all” and thankfully they didn’t! However, I was one of the schools student leaders for Fellowship of Christian Athletes but that title was quickly removed and I was no longer welcome. In the moment it felt shocking that people who tout love and understanding could make happiness a club only they were allowed in. Looking back, my loss of faith lead me to a better place and truthfully, it was easy to stand for equal rights because everyone deserves the feeling of love, safety, and acceptance.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Emmy, I founded Damewood Designs a little over 5 years ago and I’m the principal designer here. Damewood is an interior and environmental design studio focused on making human-centered design more accessible through integrity and intention. At it’s core, it’s a feeling, a spark of light that I try to share with the world; whether it’s a client or another professional, I want them to leave the interaction feeling positive, hopeful, even a bit excited. We genuinely care about people and our designs are built through intentional choices that create value.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I was a strong willed, wild child who loved to talk, make friends with animals, and run in the fields. As I’m sure many women my age heard while growing up: “you would make a good lawyer” was just a thing I knew about myself. Now looking back, I realize I was being told that because older generations were rarely used to children voicing opinions but a female child having opinions and intelligence to back up those ideas? Well she’ll be great at arguing in court someday, it had nothing to do with understanding ethics, law, or justice. Just the fact that I had a brain and enough courage to speak my mind. I was only a kid but I’m thankful my parents heard my voice and encouraged me to be fully myself instead of closing me into a more socially acceptable version of a good daughter. So, to answer the question, I now know I wouldn’t make a good lawyer, but I do make a good business owner.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Just about every other day the first three years of my business. Constantly facing a learning curve and trying to grow your skills is a tough combination but during a global pandemic? Talk about a rollercoaster. I’ve learned it doesn’t matter how many times you think of quitting, look up job openings, even apply to them, what matters is your happiness. Pushing through isn’t always the solution but choosing your happiness will always give you the correct answer. If your gut is telling you to quit then quit; I promise you it’s okay to change your direction in life! If your gut is saying “I’m not ready to give up” then you have to start taking steps toward your goal, no one is coming to save you, YOU have to do the hard work. I’m currently writing a book titled “It Would Be You” where I discuss business ownership, self doubt, and give power back to the reader to save themselves in those times where it feels like it’s just easier to give up.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Definitely, I don’t have the stamina or memory to keep up with a fake personality! I may curse more in “real life” but when I’m working I like to keep it professional! My mother likes to say I’ve “never met a stranger” and I think it’s why our client’s and industry partners like to work with us – I treat everyone like an old friend. I’m not just here to do a job and get paid, I’m here to help people and build relationships which requires a level of transparency and authenticity that you just can’t fake.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Internally, we’re working on creating a stable, solid base for the company in terms of preparedness and processes. Any time we’re working, we’re writing everything down in an employee handbook. Every step, click, and template is being tracked, identified and written in a step by step format so anyone who joins our team can feel confident in their role. We’re constantly elevating, perfecting how we work, ways our clients and partners benefit, and making sure that every experience with Damewood is continually improving.
Externally, we’ve started sending a few handwritten letters each week to different homes and businesses that catch our eye. We let them know who we are, share that we want to support our local community and would love to work with them if they’re ever considering tackling a project. It’s small and we haven’t received any feedback or projects from it but in a few years, it’ll accumulate to where a lot of our community has heard our name and thinks of us for intentional, genuine design work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.damewooddesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damewooddesigns/
