Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ramsey.
Jennifer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started working in the architectural design field in 1997. I worked for a wonderful company in Portsmouth New Hampshire. I was allowed access and involvement to the design process through construction almost immediately. That experience instilled a confidence, drive and assurance that this was where I belonged. It provided a foundation for me to act on my own interest in starting a firm. SOMMA Studios was established in 2006 and we have been climbing ever since.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
We have been lucky. I also feel we have created a great deal of our own success.
Word of mouth has been our predominant marketing tool.
We may have launched the company shortly before a considerable economic down turn, and we can’t take credit for being located in a very insulated area of the country, but that did allow us to survive.
We took on some a-typical projects. For example, we joined forces for some interesting mill conversion efforts. However, being present in the community during those years, maintaining a face also made us front of mind for many clients looking for our services.
Please tell us about SOMMA Studios.
We are an architectural design firm.
We happily work with both home owners and commercial developers on anything from smaller renovations to large mixed-use developments.
In Portsmouth, specifically, working with the local municipality and navigating the design and planning approval process is a large part of the practice, and something we consider our specialty.
20 years working in the same community benefits from well established relationships. The efforts in growing and maintaining a great network and team is of great value and priority to us.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Truthfully, I can’t easily say.
Many things would have made it easier over the years, but those weren’t viable at the start and looking back made us who we are. I have had to learn about marketing, accounting, and networking. Having someone to take care of those areas for me, would have been fantastic and at times such a time saver. But, we are a small firm and intend to stay that way, for the foreseeable future. I have had to wear many hats. In retrospect, having an understanding and knowledge of all the moving parts that make a company work and successful has been beneficial. In many ways I am grateful for the climb.
Contact Info:
- Address: SOMMA Studios
36 Maplewood Ave
Portsmouth, NH 03801 - Website: sommastudios.com
- Phone: 603-766-3760
- Email: jramsey@sommastudios.com
- Instagram: sommastudios
- Facebook: SOMMA Studios
- Twitter: @SOMMAStudios
Image Credit:
Topher Cox
John Benford
Greg West
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