Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Goldberg.
Jill, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I actually started out going to LA to become an actress. I had small successes but after a few years and a chance Oprah episode, decided to go back to school for Interior Design. Eventually I ended up back in Boston working for an architect, Daniel Reynolds. I loved working for him and learned so much from my time with him. While there I realized that what I really wanted to do was to go out on my own and get my Interior Design work moving along. I knew that I wasn’t one to hand out cards at a party, and the best way to get my aesthetic and name out there was by opening up a store front. At the time, there weren’t many boutique design shops in the city, and definitely no stores which were representing my style. A style which at the time I called California meets New England traditional meets vintage.
So with the right financial backer in place – Hudson was born in 2006. The store started out small mainly focusing on accessories with furniture dotted throughout. Hudson just turned 10 years old last September and it has seen its ups and downs, a second location and the closing of that location, as well as an economic boom (in the beginning) and an economic downturn (around 2008). But I’m excited to say that we are strong and thriving. At about the same time the store opened, I started our sister company – Hudson Interior Designs, now with its office located in the rear of the store on Union Park Street. The design company has grown by leaps and bounds, and thankfully we have more work than we can handle.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In the beginning, it was like “why didn’t I do this sooner?” That first year I didn’t have to force my business down people’s throats. I would open the doors, and people would be shopping all day every day and I found myself working the store like a waitress during a busy lunchtime. Nonstop.
My biggest struggle was when I decided to open my next location in Wellesley. I felt that it was the time, and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to bring my business to the town I grew up in. Though my accountant warned me it wasn’t the right time, he was basically psychic and knew the economic downturn was upon us, I still went ahead with it.
It was a great opportunity to get the business’ name out there and to build up the design clientele in that area but it was a smack in the face when it came to the struggles of a retail business. We had very weak sales, a customer base which utilized designers instead of themselves, and those designers would shop my brands and open up their own direct accounts and take business away from me.
No complaints, it was a learning experience worth every penny I’m still paying off. What it taught me was to remain true to my look, and to do my best to make what I sell as individual as I can. So that Hudson is the only place to buy what you see here. Retail like is definitely cyclical. There are ups and downs, the hope is that the ups last much longer than the downs.
Hudson – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Hudson is a home furnishings boutique. We sell accessories, lighting and furniture. We have also started an A La Carte program where people who don’t want to enter into a relationship with a designer can have us purchase To the Trade items which they can’t buy direct. I basically say – if you’ve seen a specific piece of furniture, fabric or wallpaper, bring the image in and we can get it for you.
I think what I’m known for is my design aesthetic and how I put together a space, specifically the store floor. We used to transition the store floor every 6 months, bringing in new wallpaper, accessories and furniture. But most recently we are just bringing in new pieces every week – be it a vintage item, newly upholstered chair or a piece of art. And that keeps our loyal shoppers coming in every week – to check and see what’s new!
I like to think what sets us apart is our love for design and our willingness to take care of our clients – after all it is about customer satisfaction!
What sets us apart from others – I think it comes down to the feel you get when you visit the store. I hope to create a vibe that you take with you when you leave.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I have felt for years that success is about money, are you working hard? Are you growing financially? If not, what’s the point, right? But after 10 years in this business I’ve come to realize that success is about how others view you and your business. Do they feel that you do good work, do you treat everyone well, and do people feel good about themselves and their homes after they’ve worked with you – whether it’s in design or simply buying a candle on a Thursday night.
Of course I would say success is about how YOU feel about yourself, but knowing that others love what you do is icing on the cake.
Don’t get me wrong I still feel that financial stability stands for something. I’ll let you know when I’m financially stable 🙂
Contact Info:
- Address: 12 Union Park Street
Boston, MA 02118 - Website: www.hudsonboston.com and www.hudsoninteriordesigns.com
- Phone: 617-292-0900
- Email: info@hudsonboston.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hudsonstore/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hudson-111052482255188/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HUDSONSTORE
Image Credit:
The image of me, and of me and my daughter dylan, were take by Tony Luong. The images of the store and the arbuste table lamp which I designed, were taken by Michael J. Lee, and the image of the front door (black doors) was taken by Kent Dayton.
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