Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Jackson.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
If you had told me ten years ago that I’d end up in the flooring and tile industry, I would have laughed at you. I graduated from the University of Tennessee with degrees in Biochemistry/Cellular and Molecular Biology and Psychology and was originally planning to attend medical school to be a neurosurgeon. After taking the MCAT and sending out applications, my dad became seriously ill and I made the decision to forego school for a year and move to Nashville to spend as much time with him as I could.
After college, I built a career in sales and leadership, eventually working in a C-suite sales role. I did this until having twin girls in January 2022. I loved being home with them, but anyone who knows me knows I’m competitive by nature. After about six months, I was climbing the walls and missing the challenge of building something and chasing goals. That is when my brother asked me to join his flooring business. He said, “I don’t know what job you are going to do, how much I can pay you, or how we will make it work but I need help.” The only problem? I knew absolutely nothing about construction. I couldn’t have told you the difference between grout and mortar if my life depended on it.
I took a leap of faith and jumped in and became an absolute SPONGE. I asked every question I could, spent time installing with the crews in the field, learned from builders, learned from manufacturers, watched educational videos until the wee hours of the morning, and slowly built my knowledge one job at a time. It was one thing to join an industry I knew nothing about it, but if I was going to join a male-dominated industry I needed to make sure I knew the answer to every question I could be asked when I walked into the room.
Now I specialize in new construction sales and tile design, and manage everything from design selections and estimating, to project execution for many homebuilders here in Middle Tennessee. Looking back, my career path makes very little sense on paper, future doctor turned sales executive, turned stay-at-home mom, turned flooring and tile specialist but without each of those steps I wouldn’t be as successful as I have been in this industry. Every chapter taught me something different. The science background taught me how important it is to know the technical side of the industry for successful tile and hardwood installs, psychology taught me how to understand people and relate to our crews, sales taught me how to build long-lasting relationships and executing what you promise, and this industry has taught me that expertise isn’t always about where you start – it’s about how willing you are to learn.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road.
One of the biggest challenges early on was joining a company owned by my brother. While I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity, I was also very aware that I never wanted people to think I was given a seat at the table simply because we shared the same last name. From day one, I felt a responsibility to prove that I belonged there and could create value on my own merit. That meant learning the industry from the ground up, asking a lot of questions, spending time in the field, and putting in the work to earn the trust of builders, installers, vendors, and my team.
The other challenge was entering an industry that is still predominantly male. Ninety-eight percent of the time, I’m the only woman sitting at the table, and as someone who has never been accused of keeping her opinions to herself, I had to learn how to balance confidence with credibility. I quickly realized that the best way to earn a voice was to become an expert in my craft and consistently deliver results. Fortunately, I’ve found that people in this industry generally don’t care who you are as long as you know your stuff, follow through on your commitments, and solve problems. That pushed me to become a student of the industry and continually improve my knowledge and skills.
Looking back, those challenges ended up being some of my greatest motivators. They taught me the importance of earning credibility through consistency, staying humble enough to keep learning, and letting results speak louder than titles or assumptions.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work in new construction sales and design for one of the largest flooring and tile companies in Middle Tennessee. My role spans much more than sales. I help guide projects from initial design selections through estimating, ordering, installation, and final quality control. On any given day, I might be reviewing architectural plans, solving jobsite challenges, meeting with builders, coordinating with installers, making 3d tile renderings, or helping homeowners bring their vision to life. What I specialize in is bridging the gap between design, construction, and client experience. I often joke that I have a giant tile library living rent-free in my head. A designer can show me a vision board, a sketch, or even a single inspiration photo, and I immediately start thinking through multiple ways to bring that vision to life. What excites me most is finding the sweet spot where design, functionality, constructability, and budget all come together. What I’m most proud of isn’t a specific award or sales number, it is earning the trust of the people I work with. I want them to work with me because they truly believe I am the best at what I do. In an industry where relationships are everything, I’ve built a reputation for being accountable and willing to tackle jobs or solve problems that others may shy away from.I believe what sets me apart is that I didn’t come into this industry with a construction background. My degrees are in Biochemistry and Psychology, and before flooring and tile, I built a career in sales leadership. Because of that, I approach challenges differently. I’m naturally curious, I ask a lot of questions, and I’m always looking for ways to improve processes, communication, and outcomes.
At the end of the day, I don’t view my job as selling flooring or tile. I view it as helping build homes, communities, and relationships that last long after a project is complete.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Nashville is the ambition. When I moved here from Knoxville, one of the first things I noticed was how many people were actively trying to build something – whether that was a business, a career, a family, a network, or a better version of themselves. There is this INSANE energy here that pushes you to keep growing, and I think that’s one of the reasons Nashville has been such a great fit for me.
Professionally, I also love the diversity of design throughout the city. In one neighborhood, I might be helping create a classic Southern home that feels like it belongs on the pages of Southern Living. Ten minutes down the road, we’re doing something sleek, modern, and trend-forward. Then thirty minutes later I’m in Leiper’s Fork helping create a home that feels like it’s been sitting on that piece of land for generations. The variety is what keeps it fun. Every builder, community, and homeowner wants something different, so I’m constantly challenged to find new ways to bring their vision to life while keeping it functional and within budget.
If I had to pick something, it’s that Nashville has grown so quickly that it can sometimes feel difficult to preserve the sense of community that made people fall in love with it in the first place. Growth is exciting and creates incredible opportunities, but I think it’s important that we continue finding ways to maintain the relationships, local character, and sense of connection that make Nashville special. (and of course the traffic on I-24)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.llflooringdesign.com
- Instagram: @jmackverticallystacked or @llfloorco
