March Meets… Jen Bernard (Bernard Interiors)

Peter Burch
Jen Bernard. Bernard London.

Jen Bernard is the founder and creative director at leading interior firms Bernard Interiors and Bernard London.

Bernard Interiors is an award-winning interior architecture and design studio, renowned for its expertise in later living, healthcare environments and commercial developments. Bernard London specialises in luxury private residences and international developments. In 2024, March worked with Bernard London to recreate its website.

Since founding Bernard Interiors in 2008, Jen has earned a reputation for designing exceptional interiors with a tailored approach. We caught up with her to learn more about the challenges she faced when launching the business, her proudest professional achievement, and what advice she would give to aspiring female designers.

What was the biggest challenge you faced when starting your business, and how did you overcome it?

When I started my business from a kitchen table in 2008, I naively launched just as the recession hit, and there was virtually no demand for interior design. The initial challenge was realising that the market I had anticipated was no longer viable. I had to quickly adapt, think outside the box, and remain optimistic while constantly seeking new opportunities.

Bernard London Team.
Jen (right) with her team at Bernard London

Through persistence and intuition, I discovered that the healthcare industry was the only sector the banks were willing to lend to during that time. With a blend of hope and a bit of luck, I managed to secure my first contract in 2009 to design a care home, which ultimately set the foundation for my business’s growth.

What key decisions or strategies helped you scale Bernard Interiors successfully?

In the beginning, I was working with just one client on multiple projects. It was an incredible experience that taught me so much, but it also kept me from really growing the business. In 2015, I made a key decision to hire someone in an operations role to help manage the day-to-day tasks. This allowed me to focus on seeking new clients and expanding the design team. That was a real turning point for us, it marked the shift from just being “on the tools” to embracing a journey of growth and development for the business.

"As your interior design business grows, you’ll need to find a balance between fostering creativity and having enough structure to manage it effectively."

What advice would you give to a female entrepreneur starting in the interior design space?

My advice would be to really carve out your unique brand and think about your USP, what makes you stand out from the competition? Identify what sets you apart and embrace it. Alongside that, ensure you have the right procedures in place to support growth. It’s essential to have systems that allow you to scale without losing the essence of what makes your business special. And as your interior design business grows, you’ll need to find a balance between fostering creativity and having enough structure to manage it effectively.

"Women need to embrace their ability to create, in whatever way resonates with them, whether it's through business, art, or innovation."

How would you like to see the world of work change for women in the future?

Women are incredibly strong, but we are not meant to be workhorses. Balancing work and family life can often feel overwhelming, and it’s crucial that we create space for more flexibility in our lives. Many women are embracing entrepreneurship, building multiple side hustles to gain the freedom and flexibility they desire. Tools like AI are game-changers, allowing us to work smarter, not harder, and giving us more time to focus on other passions, creative projects, or simply to recharge. Women need to embrace their ability to create, in whatever way resonates with them, whether it’s through business, art, or innovation. The world is ours to shape!

What professional achievement are you most proud of?

Jen Bernard. Bernard Interiors.
Reflecting on my journey, it’s been full of challenges, but I’ve made it through with resilience and determination. I’m a mum to a high-energy 9-year-old, so balancing family life alongside my career has definitely kept me on my toes. But, honestly, if it was easy, everyone would do it! One of my proudest achievements was acquiring our studio, The Church, in 2019. We completed the entire renovation ourselves in just five months, all while still delivering on our existing projects. Then came Covid, investors pulled out, and uncertainty hit hard. But despite it all, we not only weathered the storm, we managed to pay off the debt too. It hasn’t been an easy ride, but it’s moments like these that remind me why perseverance is so powerful.

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