Talk Shop: Jean Brownhill // Sweeten

talk shop

Feb 10

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ABOUT JEAN

After earning an architecture degree at The Cooper Union, Jean Brownhill spent a decade working in architecture and construction, oftentimes the only woman in the room. Her own challenging renovation inspired her to transform the opaque construction industry and create the first modern renovation experience that is transparent, efficient and personal. At AOI, we are huge fans of the work Jean has done to make the murky world of contracting readily understandable, friendly and easily accessible.

Sweeten (as in “home, sweet home”) launched in 2011. Today, Sweeten has nearly $1.5B of construction projects in the pipeline. The two-sided marketplace brings trust, transparency and technology to a $400B industry, and has become the end-to-end standard for the renovation experience. Sweeten has been called a “Renovation Game-Changer,” with Jean hailed as “The Contractor Whisperer” by New York Magazine and one of Inc. Magazine’s “Most Innovative Women Founders in America.” (With good reason!)

Jean is a Loeb Fellow from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, where she co-founded the African American Student Union (AASU), an organization supporting African Americans in architecture, real estate and urban planning. As a member of the 2018 Class of Henry Crown Fellows at the Aspen Institute, she recently launched SAW (Sweeten Accelerator for Women) to help female contractors build their businesses. Most recently, Jean was recognized by Goldman Sachs as one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2020 at its Builders + Innovators Summit. We could not be more thrilled or excited to have Jean on Fenimore Lane’s Talk Shop – head down below to read our interview with this powerhouse!

Describe your style in three words or less:

Plants, art, books.

What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:

My grandparent’s cottage in upstate NY
My education in architecture
My love of painting

How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:

I loved architecture and construction from school and knew I wanted to be of service to people, but it wasn’t completely clear on who those people were yet. I was certain, though, I didn’t want to use my creativity to climb the corporate ladder.

It was when I renovated my own house and had a frustrating experience, I found that it was homeowners, like myself, that I wanted to help. The ones who didn’t have huge budgets but who saved up to buy their house and now wanted to turn it into their dream home.

I had found my calling and once that happens, leaving your past doesn’t seem scary. It feels inevitable.

Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:

It is hard to choose just one mentor, since there are so many that have helped shape my path forward.

I was very fortunate that I didn’t have to pay for higher education. My parents didn’t have the means to pay for college, but they supported and encouraged me to find a way. I love art and am good at math, so I applied to Cooper Union to study architecture which is a perfect marriage of precision (the math) and creativity (art and design). Luckily, it offered every student a full-tuition scholarship, so I was able to pursue that dream. I then went to Harvard, as a Loeb Fellow, which allowed me further hone my passion.

At both institutions I had access to the most incredible teachers. Some of them turned into mentors and I am so appreciative of their guidance and support. They were very influential to my success outside of my personal circles. They gave me the confidence to challenge myself and follow my dreams.

What does your home say about you:

My books, plants, art and dogs are on the top of my list of what makes my space home. For me, home becomes “Home, Sweet, Home” when you’ve imprinted your quirks, loves, and passions into it—essentially what makes you, you. My home reflects my priorities which are: continuous learning and growing, visual expression, and true connection.

I often quote Howard Thurman, because I think he really gets to the essence of how foundational a home is to your outlook on life - “A man must be at home somewhere before he can feel at home everywhere.”

Where do you find inspiration:

Before the pandemic, I would go to galleries and museums and just lose myself in the moment. Now I pick an artist, and jump on a phone call with a friend (who loves and appreciates art the way I do) and we deeply discuss that artist and how their experiences may have shaped their artistic expressions.

While I certainly miss going to galleries and museums, I find this to be a unique way to stay connected to my friend while scratching my “art” itch!

Who are your style icons:

Pam Grier circa the 1970s: She was the ultimate feminist icon - embracing her sexuality while kicking ass, all without apology. She stood as a projection and celebration of black beauty at a time where that wasn’t typically celebrated.

Bianca Jagger: She didn’t subscribe to one style - she owned them all. She was fearless in her choices, and that kind of confidence is intoxicating. More than that though, the thing that really made Bianca Jagger stand out was her activism. She used her celebrity to bring light to a lot of humanitarian causes.

Michelle Obama: Brilliant, funny, well-spoken, kind, genuine...I could go on and on. Her style is so classic, but at the same time allowed women to celebrate their own strength and femininity. She understood her influence and wielded that power wisely.

What are your key ingredients for entertaining:

Amazing food (that someone else cooked)
A special bottle of wine
Great music
Dear friends

Do you collect anything:

Books and plants.

Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:

@hiltoncarter - he marries two of my loves seamlessly: art and plants.

What are you working on right now:

Elevating women in architecture, design and general contracting.

Wardrobe staples:

Ballet flats, layered fine gold jewelry, and vintage sunglasses.

Favorite fabric/wallpaper:

Linen

Best interior advice you ever received:

The easiest way to pull together a room is by mixing inexpensive and expensive pieces, but have everything in the same color. That way people focus on the overall feel of the room, rather than any one specific item.

Best career advice you ever received:

“Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” It’s a quote from Howard Thurman that has really inspired me and definitely one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received.

Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:

I invest in artwork - Not only does it bring personality to my home, it becomes a constant source of inspiration.

I go high and low on furniture purchases. I have designer vintage pieces next to things I got from Ikea.

Your greatest extravagance:

Artwork - I could spend all my money on art!

Favorite places to shop for home:

https://www.artsy.net/ and https://www.estatesales.net/

Most prized possession and why:

My grandfather was a painter, and I have a number of his works. They are by far my most prized possession.

Your interiors motto:

Make it yours.

Your life motto:

You can have it all. Just not all at once.

Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:

Learn to listen to your inner voice or your dreams. As Steven Spielberg said “It whispers in your ear, they very rarely shout”