Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanne Schultz.
Hi Jeanne, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I opened Jeanne Schultz Design Studio (JSDS) after completing my degree at the University of Texas at Austin when I was 23. Before graduating, I had 1.5 years of experience in the construction industry and had designed my first building, a duplex in east Austin. While I always had an entrepreneurial spirit, I didn’t anticipate opening the design studio so early in my career. However, there were opportunities to design large-scale apartment projects from a local developer, and I used this to jumpstart my independent pursuit. The projects were successful; I continued to receive inquiries and collaborations, so JSDS evolved into a full-scale operation that has led us to complete projects on three continents.
Would it have been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would not describe the road to our business as smooth. Many self-started businesses do not experience a smooth road, but our initial challenge was that I started a business as a young person in a very competitive market. As the owner, I had to learn a lot about architecture and design, as well as business management, independently and with the help of my mentors. Once my studio began to work in the West of Africa and Europe, new challenges were presented as I had to manage to execute successful projects with a good team and collaborators. Other obstacles are rewarding parts of our work, including designing for and working with different cultures and geographic conditions and communicating with clients in multiple languages.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Jeanne Schultz Design Studio?
Our business was born in Austin, Texas, in 2016, and we remain a permanent fixture in Austin, providing architectural, interior design, and specialized design services. We are a fully vertically integrated design business, offering everything from brand development to custom furniture creation to construction oversight. Each of our projects is different, responding to the client’s specific needs and the contextual conditions which affect the design. As an organization, internally, we have a very progressive team structure and relationships that cultivate safety, inclusion, and equity by employing professionals from various backgrounds and maintaining an openly communicative space.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Professionally, I appreciate and rely on the support of our local communities and organizations, such as fellow architects and designers, as well as the American Institute of Architects and the resources they offer. The AIA Women in Architecture committee has provided much support, inspiration, learning tools, and community that have greatly impacted my personal and professional life. Creativity in multiple mediums (painting, drawing, poetry) helps me do my best work. I also gain significant inspiration from reading and music. Recently I read a short story about the composer Chopin, whose story inspired me due to his success and ambition despite his lifelong struggle with illness. He traveled to Mallorca and Barcelona in his late (young) life, two important places to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jeanneschultz.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jsdesignstudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanneschultzdesignstudio
Image Credits
(1) Team photo: Aga Kryspin (2) Living room photo with fireplace: Leonid Furmansky (3) Blue interior with wallpaper: Leonid Furmansky (4) White kitchen: Leah Muse (5) Render by Deckor Inc. (6) Render by Deckor Inc.
