An Interview with our Founder, Jess.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I never know where to even begin with this question!… Ok, so – I’m Jess, I’m 31 years old and I live in the Peak District in a town called Whaley Bridge. I have a 7-month-old daughter called Bea, a 3-year-old Rottweiler called Rex, and my partner – Harvey – and I live in a bungalow that we bought last year (bungalows are a godsend for having a newborn, by the way!). I know a bungalow is so random for a young family, but we rented it for 3 years and loved living here, so when we got the opportunity to buy it, we jumped at it as it has SO much potential!
I own two businesses. My first business is Jessica May Design, which is a luxury interior design studio based in the High Peak. I’ve owned JMD (what I abbreviate it to) for nearly 6 years now. I set up the business in my rental’s spare bedroom and now we have a team of 11, working on the most incredible projects across the UK and abroad. And of course, I also now own IDA & Co, which is this amazing stationery brand and something I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember.
When did you first have the idea to launch a stationery brand?
Ever since I was a child, I’ve always had an obsession with stationery. I used to save my pocket money to buy notebooks and to-do pads (not sure what a 6-year-old had on her to-do list!). I had a dream when I was studying my interior design degree to launch a stationery brand – because there was nothing out there that, firstly, allowed me to organise both my degree and the two jobs I was working at the time, AND something that I found beautiful.
Ever since then, I’ve obviously been knee-deep in my design business, with this niggle about launching a stationery brand always in the back of my mind. I would hunt for a planner/notebook company on a monthly basis and never, ever found what I was looking for.
A major factor for me in taking the plunge when I did was that, around a year ago, I decided to take my planning/note-taking digital – because of the above! But I noticed so vividly that I wasn’t remembering anywhere near as much as I used to, I wasn’t as articulate, and I wasn’t taking as much in. I wholeheartedly believe moving digital numbed my brain and meant that what I was writing wasn’t actually going in! So I ended up creating IDA & Co.
I’ve been back in the world of analogue again, using one of the prototypes for the last 6 months, and the difference I can see is crazy!
IDA & Co is your second business. How do you manage to stay on top of it all?
So, on top of the two businesses, I also have a 6-month-old, so life is very hectic 100% of the time. I would say my formula (not in any way, shape or form perfected yet) is having an incredible team across both businesses – I couldn’t do what I do without them.
I have an INCREDIBLE family. My mum, dad, aunties, cousins, and friends are amazing and help and support me so much. It’s a constant juggling act, with Bea and the two businesses – but I absolutely adore it and wouldn’t change it for the world.
Ever since I’ve had a planner that actually works for me, I spend 10 minutes every evening organising my schedule for the following day, and I make sure I stick to that as much as possible. Then, every Sunday evening, I spend half an hour planning my week ahead. These small steps have again made me feel so much more organised and like I have my life together a bit more!
Do you have a favourite product from the collection?
This must be the hardest founder question, as I literally love every single product. We actually created designs for another collection of notebooks, but they just didn’t make the cut. I would never sell something I wasn’t 100% happy with!
I adore the black mock croc products as they’re such a statement while still being a staple piece. The nude is gorgeous and just so timeless, and the florals for me are just so unique and feminine.
If I had to choose, my personal favourites are the Black Mock Croc and the Wisteria Notebook. The boldness and drama of the mock croc against the elegance of the wisteria is just such a cool contrast.
I think notebooks are the best way to make a statement, and planners should be a classic, timeless choice that will see you through all year round. I used to constantly be on the hunt for stunning notebooks, as I go through notebooks like evening meals – the ones I would find (and trust me, I’ve looked EVERYWHERE) were either so boring, had no personality at all, had polka dots on them, or were just generally not a reflection of what I find beautiful.
Now IDA & Co exists, I can walk into meetings with clients and feel proud of the stationery I’m pulling out of my handbag.
