Heather Mason Owens
TITLE : Interior Designer
COMPANY : Georgia James Creative
Georgia James Creative is a full-scale interior design firm, providing a variety of design services at different levels. With a background in high-end design at places like The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Poss Architecture in Aspen, Colorado, and Dassault Falcon Jet, I decided to venture out and start my own design business. Co-owner Nikki Hastings and I hope to translate that taste level and quality of service into a business catering to any income. I am excited to grow this company, and I look forward to what is ahead.
Favorite Quote: “Style isn’t about money, it’s about understanding.” – Christian Dior
Best business advice you ever received and who gave it: When I worked in the Ritz Carlton design department, we were reminded daily about the importance of customer service. Their motto is “ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen.” Bill Barrie, Senior VP of design, told me to “form good relation-ships; business will always follow.” Who consistently inspires you? My husband. He pushes me to follow my dreams and expand my creativity. I am also blessed with ambitious girlfriends. Their drive and zest keeps me on my toes. What business men and women do you admire the most? My dad is an ER doctor who wears many different hats. He is the hardest worker I know, a man of integrity and the best at what he does.
Why I Love This
I help someone put personality and style into their space. When you find a design that really works for the clients’ taste and lifestyle, their reaction says it all.
Career Goal
To build my company into a reputable design firm that specializes in all aspects of design, including interiors, graphics, events and product development.
How will you know when you are successful? I feel like there will be many different levels of success throughout my life. I will know I am successful when I lay my head down at night and I am truly happy.
Best Day Ever: The best day by far was when I decided to start my own company.
Worst Day: During my first week of work in Aspen, I was given the task of designing a woman’s closet. I thought, simple, right? So I dove right in, completed the closet and sent it off to my client. The drawing came right back to me along with a note that said, “Redo.” Confused, I decided to do a little more research on my client, only to discover she was the owner of Victoria’s Secret. Needless to say, her closet needed to be way more detailed than the original design. Her closet ended up being two-stories and included a mini bar. Lesson learned: know your client.
Favorite Workplace Expression: “It is what it is… moving on.”