When Jennifer McCrystal graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2013, she had big dreams for her future in interior design. But she never imagined that within a year of finishing her degree, her first business would take off.
J McCrystal Design started almost six years ago specializing in interior design. Services included residential, commercial, and all things interior design.
“I thought it would be 10 years, and it started to happen within a year,” McCrystal said. “My husband has been a big drive behind everything. Together, we have built a house, got married, had two kids, and started running our elk business. I have a unique combination — I am a certified designer and an elk farmer.”
She recently decided to brainstorm the future direction for her business.
“When I started I did not have a target of exactly what I wanted to do,” she said. “What do I want to specify in? What do I want to focus on?”
These thoughts led McCrystal to create two new businesses — one called Mantled Home targeting residential customers, and one called Branch & Field targeting commercial furniture customers.
“I decided to keep J McCrystal Design as the parent company, but thought ‘why not branch off so they can thrive?’ It’s two completely different ball games on how you market things,” McCrystal said.
She said Mantled Home is both an interior design studio and a home boutique.
“Typically it’s one or the other, but we are excited about combining both together, which will be unique for this area,” she said.
Offering both helps McCrystal serve three different types of clients.
“We serve those who have the eye for design and just need a place to shop, those who have a designer and they can come together and choose products from us, and those who need a designer and that in-person visualization,” McCrystal said.
McCrystal helps pick out everything in the home and workplace from lighting and countertops to furniture and decorations.
“With both businesses, I can take you from scratch and create a fully customized construction plan all the way through,” McCrystal said. “I can create a rendering to see it in 3D for those who need the visual help.”
After seven years in the design business, what fuels her passion is showing people what is possible.
“Ninety percent of our lives are spent indoors at our house or our workplace. That’s a huge chunk of our lives,” McCrystal said. “Why not invest in these spaces whether it’s your workplace or your home? I want to be able to help my customers do what they do the best.”
As far as future plans, McCrystal says she has packed so much into her first seven years since graduating college that she can’t wait to see what the future has to offer.
“I want us to grow and provide jobs for people in Owensboro adding an installation crew and a sales team. Imagine what we could do in seven more years,” McCrystal said.
The storefronts are set to open at the end of November, which McCrystal says takes their services a step further. Mantled Home is located at 2750 Keller Road, and Branch and Field is at 2740 Keller Road.
