Where do you live: Bloor West Village.
Profession: Interior designer.
Please explain what you do in your job?
I am an interior designer for homes and businesses. I have individual homeowners who are clients, businesses and shops, new home development communities, office spaces among others.
Current job?
Owner of Jane Lockhart Design Communications Inc. and I'm also the host of my own TV show, Colour Confidential, on the W Network
List of accomplishments?
Consultant to Benjamin Moore, General Electric in the U.S. and Hanson Brick of Canada, along with various residential clients. I also hosted a show called, One House Two Looks, for six seasons and continue to host Colour Confidential on W.
How do you measure success in your chosen career?
Having relationships with colleagues and staff. Having the freedom to choose what I want to do.
When did you decide this is what you wanted to do for a living and what was the 'moment'?
At the age of 11 I knew I wanted to do home construction. I was always building forts and homes out of cardboard boxes. It was when I was a student at the University of Toronto that I knew interior design was the direction I wanted to take.
What did you have to do in order to get involved with this profession?
The first thing I did was get my design degree at Ryerson University. Once I completed that I took a job at a design firm sweeping the basement floors and then I moved up to organizing the sample library.
I started at $6/hr after working for free for the first two weeks. This was during the recession of the late '80s and early '90s. In 1997, I started my own design firm and started off by riding by bike to client appointments and eventually was able to buy a used Honda Civic. I worked day and night, seven days a week. I did all the work myself.
Pros and cons of this job?
Pros: Satisfaction is extremely high because of the emotional connection with clients.
Cons: The long hours and taxes.
Skills required for this job?
Good people skills, good business skills, design and artistic vision and dedication in becoming a master of the trade.
What can youth expect if they want to pursue this job?
School, long hours, low pay to start and demanding clients.
Percentage of people who actually succeed in this field?
I don't know.
Salary range?
$29,000 - $50,000, depends on the position and what kind of design firm.
Advice to youth who are thinking about pursuing this field?
Have a good portfolio, keep everything you do and don't burn any bridges.