Jessie obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in Interior Design in 1992 from Virginia Tech. Since then, she has touched every part of the design industry personally and professionally. From designing products at factories overseas for the US home and garden retail market, to directing marketing and sales efforts for wholesale trade companies, the beginning of her design career focused mainly on the business side of the industry.

Longing to “do her own thing”, she started her design and consulting firm, i/C design in 1997. Her firm (renamed Jessie Danielle Design) specializes in residential and hospitality interiors but also offers marketing consulting and trend forecasting to high-profile industry clients like Galeotti Marble in Italy and Home Depot and Expo Design Center in the US.

It was only after teaching interior decorating for five years at a local college for personal fulfillment that Jessie discovered a passion for education. Seeing a need in the market for a learning center that focuses solely on interior design, decorating and residential design trends, she opened Vanguard School of Interior Design. This learning center, located within the Atlanta Merchandise Mart at Americasmart-Atlanta, offers a multifaceted certificate program for those who wish to pursue a profession in decorating without attending a four-year institution. The school also offers many workshops to the public and continuing education courses for professional, licensed interior designers.

Jessie teaches most of the Beginning Level classes at Vanguard as well as the Advanced Business Practices course. She speaks regularly at industry trade conferences regarding trends in design as well as the home and garden business as a whole, and is highly skilled at helping others discover their hidden talents so they can turn their passion into a successful profession.