Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Bond.
Hi Jodi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey as an Interior Designer and DIY Content Creator came about somewhat unexpectedly. My family was navigating a personal transition at the time which included a massive life reset, part of which was downsizing into our new to us at the time, but old fixer-upper home in Sugar Hill during the Summer of 2014. The house was an old 1980’s colonial style home, in serious need of renovation. On our closing day, I sat against the wall in one of my kid’s bedrooms and cried. I felt disappointed and demoralized. It was one of the ugliest homes I had ever been in, and I was shocked we had gone through with our plan and had actually bought this house. As a family with four young kids, our remodeling budget was low, which meant any updates to the house needed to be tackled by ourselves.
While I had dabbled a bit with DIY in the past, I had never taken on anything major or too difficult. However, with the current state of my house, I became incredibly motivated to learn. Project by project I began teaching myself DIY skills, starting with small projects and progressively building upon them as I honed my skills. I opened up a dedicated Instagram page, @houseonasugarhill, to share with my family and friends the updates and progress of my home. At the time I had no idea the potential of that small Instagram account nor how it would impact my future.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As I began to share the before and afters of my home, more than just my acquaintances began to take notice of my journey. What started as a few friends and family following my Instagram account turned into a thousand followers, then a few more thousand, then ten thousand, and so on. Soon my small account was attracting the attention of high-profile magazines requesting to feature my home, as well as brands reaching out for sponsored partnerships. I began to realize that this hobby was turning into a business, and I was thrilled to have found a niche for myself where I could create in ways I loved while working from the comfort of my home as I parented my kids. As the business grew, my husband joined me and we worked together to create a home and lifestyle brand. I handled the design and social media account, while he handled the heavy-lifting portion of the business such as the power tools and the architectural aspects. I remember sitting down at the end of 2019 to dream up my goals for 2020 and recognizing that this was the year for my business to explode. It was ripe with momentum, with wide open horizons and so much potential in front of me. But as so many others experienced, the year of 2020 didn’t bring what was expected.
My husband and I had been working through some serious issues inside of our marriage, and as we entered the lockdowns of that Spring, many things we had been able to manage otherwise rose to the surface. Instead of running from these issues, we decided to face them seriously and head-on with the help of a professional. We were guided into a therapeutic separation during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. My husband moved out, and I suddenly was responsible for not only the totality of our business, but the care and digital learning of our four children. I was truly terrified and didn’t believe I was capable of managing it all on my own. Those were difficult days. I looked at all I had worked to build over the past years, all of the momentum and potential I had created, and asked myself if I really had the courage and capacity to carry it forward fully on my own or if it was better to fold and dissolve what I had built in exchange for something more safe and stable. It was sink or swim. I decided to swim.
I took what tenacity I could muster and began to learn the skills I was intimidated to take on. I learned how to navigate power tools, install plumbing, take down walls and hang sheetrock on the ceiling all on my own. My intimidation turned into empowerment as I realized my limitations were truly only a state of mind. And as I took on these new skills, I brought my community online along with me, letting them celebrate the wins with me, as well as being honest about the lows including navigating a divorce a year later.
We’ve been impressed with House On a Sugar Hill, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
House on a Sugar Hill offers a modern and colorful take on soulful design. It is the aesthetic representation of what the brand represents, abundant life no matter the circumstances. The belief that beautiful things can grow from the lowliest places and the hope and faith to aim for that beauty no matter the cost. On my social media account, I share openly about the struggles I have walked, as well as encouragement and practical advice for those who are navigating their own personal journeys of difficulty.
What matters most to you? Why?
One of the gifts that come from walking through any difficult situation, whether that be heartbreak, loss, sickness, or disappointment, is that we are given a greater capacity of empathy for others and a deeper desire and care for others during their own difficult journeys. After experiencing the difficulties of navigating a divorce and single parenting, I knew I wanted to expand my influence to help other people, particularly women who felt disempowered, in recognizing the great capacity that lives inside of them. A capacity that empowers them to live their lives to their fullest potential, free from fear, bitterness, and small-minded living, while instead embracing all that is truly available to them. A life that owns and honors the great responsibilities it has been entrusted with and does so with care and joy and pride.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.houseonasugarhill.com
- Instagram: @houseonasugarhill
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houseonasugarhill
Image Credits
Jodi Bond
