Meet Jodi Sanchez | Interior Designer & Personal Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jodi Sanchez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jodi, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was working for a design firm in Houston and never planned to start my own business – I loved working with my team! As time went on I realized in order to be able to work in the design industry the way I wanted to, I would have to forge my own path. Design and styling is a luxury service, but when it occurred to me that very few people in my “real life” would ever be able to comfortably afford the rates design firms charge, I started looking for ways I could create a brand that made design and styling more accessible. That idea blossomed into Styled. by jodi and I’m so proud to be creating a new niche within the industry.

What should our readers know about your business?
Styled. by jodi is a one-of-a-kind lifestyle brand that encompasses interior design, home styling, personal styling, and what I love to call “wanderlust couturier” services. I started my career over 15 years ago in event styling and production and my passion for design, aesthetics, and style have brought me to where I am today.

I’m most proud of creating a brand that makes often inaccessible services accessible by maintaining lower hourly design and styling fees, passing through trade discounts, and mastering the art of budget sourcing. I believe that living a Styled. life isn’t about having an endless budget but rather about the intention behind the dollars spent. A good closet edit and capsule wardrobe creation can completely change the way you get ready in the morning and there’s no need to max out the credit card to do it! Most interior design firms won’t even consider Target or Wayfair for their sourcing and those are always my first stops when working with a client on a budget. Intentional investment is of utmost importance to me.

As for “wanderlust couturier” – that’s a nod to my career in events and my love of creating and investing in experiences with those we love. Finding ways to imagine unique and well researched trips – from a girl’s weekend away to let loose and have fun to three weeks in Europe to celebrate a big anniversary – is one of my favorite things to do!

Along the way I’ve learned a few things which I find myself constantly referring back to as I run my business. I grew up with parents who are immigrants living the American Dream and they instilled in me an incredible work ethic, steadfast moral compass, loyalty, fairness and kindness. As far as I’m concerned if that’s the foundation on which my brand is built, there’s nowhere to go but straight up – so I strive to ensure those sentiments are woven into every project I take on.

I’d say my biggest challenge day to day is “imposter syndrome” – the world of social media makes it so hard to feel the self confidence needed in this industry! As I’ve mentioned, I didn’t intend on starting my own business and seeing these designers and firms who have been at it for years with thousands of followers and beautifully curated instagram profiles can be so intimidating and make me second guess myself, especially since I love to do the work I do and I’m less great about posting constantly! But that’s where I lean on my people who remind me that those insta-perfect firms started right where I did and built their way up which is exactly what I’m doing. I can get impatient but I know I’m taking the time to build a brand I can be proud of and my word of mouth referrals are extraordinary which is the true testament to what I’ve got going on!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Houston is the city of little gems! I was born and raised here and left for college in Austin, my first job in LA, then landed in Dallas for 12 years before moving home with my family. The food scene in Houston can’t be beat. The diversity and options are literally endless! I’ve made it a rule that date nights have to be somewhere local and new – well I’ve been back in Houston almost 6 years now and we haven’t had a repeat yet! I love walking Memorial Park (some days earlier than others, the famous Houston heat will get ya if you go too late on an August day!) and then get coffee at my favorite local spot, Anonymous. It’s an Illy cafe owned by a Greek family – the food and coffee is seriously outstanding. For a dressy and girlie brunch I adore Little Hen – find me anyone in the design/styling world who doesn’t, I dare you! For a cocktail experience (yes, experience!) Anvil is a must do! My favorite shopping spots are Rice Village and Highland Village, and my favorite evenings are seeing Broadway shows at the Hobby Center. There’s nothing like a cardio dance class at Slā – the BEST way to start my Fridays, it’s like being at a club at 9:30 am and I’ve never found a work out like it! Galveston might not have the blue water and white sand of my wanderlust dreams, but the foodie and boutique shopping situation is one of my favorite best kept secrets! Another under the radar fave is a South African shop in the Woodlands called Angus Biltong (my entire family is South African) – I can’t walk out of there without at least $100 more goodies than I intended on buying. It’s a bit of a drive from where I live so gotta stock up!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people deserve a shoutout for their support in helping me get to where I am today! First and foremost, my husband Josh is the epitome of unconditional love and support. He helped keep our family lives moving when I was working crazy hours at my previous firm, and was the first person to tell me to take the jump and go for it in creating Styled. Another major shoutout goes to Cindy Meador, owner of Wolfie’s Swim School in Houston. She’s an incredible boss babe who happened to be building a new home when I was starting out. She didn’t hesitate to go all in on me and my company, hiring me immediately for a huge project many designers don’t get to spearhead until decades into their tenure at a firm.

Website: www.styledbyjodi.com

Instagram: @styled.byjodi

Image Credits
Connect Media Firm