Why Small Businesses Matter in Fairfield: Jeanine Stevener Designs LLC
Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
Meet Jeanine Stevener, founder of Jeanine Stevener Designs LLC
Why did you start your business?
I began my career in sales as an IT recruiter, a role I held for 13 years. However, life threw me some unexpected challenges, and within five years, both of my parents passed away. This left me feeling stuck and unmotivated, so I decided to take some time off to figure out my next steps. I had no clear direction and felt uncertain about the future. Becoming a decorator wasn't even on my radar. However, during my time off, I met a friend with an incredible eye for design. Together, we began decorating my house, one room at a time. This process turned out to be excellent therapy for me. Soon, we started helping other friends with their spaces, and before I knew it, people were seeking to hire us. They loved our work and our easy approach to making spaces functional and beautiful. It was amazing to be paid for something I loved doing. After gaining experience working with several excellent designers, I decided it was time to take the leap and start my own business. It was the ultimate challenge, and that's how Jeanine Stevener Designs was born.
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
As a small, women-owned business, I always collaborate with other local partners. In the interior decorating industry, there are numerous excellent resources available, and living in Fairfield County provides access to a wealth of talent right in our backyard. I'm fortunate to have built strong relationships with vendors like Steve Cupole from Carpet King and the wonderful team at New England Tile. Monica and Mariel, in particular, make my job so much easier. There is a real sense of "we're all in this together." I've worked with them for almost eight years and they feel like an integral part of my sales team.
Have you reimagined your small business?
I have reimagined my small business by expanding our services significantly. Initially, I focused on decorating one room at a time and shared ideas by copying and pasting links into spreadsheets. In recent years, I’ve embraced technology by offering virtual consultations and using design software to create interactive experiences for our clients. Additionally, we've strengthened our partnerships with local vendors and artisans to provide more customized and unique design solutions. These changes have enabled me to better meet my clients' needs and stay competitive in a dynamic market.
Visit Jeanine Stevener Designs on Instagram here.
Contact Jeanine via email Jeaninestevener@gmail.com
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!