Today we’d like to introduce you to Madalyn Ingram
Hi Madalyn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in Huntsville, AL with a pretty normal upbringing. My story became a little untraditional after my sister who cheered for Alabama got sick with cancer and passed away my senior year of high school – a few months before graduation. Already being accepted to the University of Alabama, I moved down to Tuscaloosa for my first semester of college. With the changes in our family, I decided to move back to Huntsville after my first semester to reassess my plan and taking classes at the local college. Of all things, I heard about a college in Franklin through our dental hygienist. In 2010 I started my own story when I moved to Franklin attend design school at O’More College of Design.
They were a small private college in downtown Franklin that merged with Belmont about 6 years ago. In 2014 I graduated and went on to work for Ferguson where I acquired my love and knowledge of residential products such as lighting, plumbing, and hardware fixtures that elevate a space. Here I learned about hundreds of brands, and which brands coordinate when you cross over. I learned how to vet a client, and what made products better quality. This experience was crucial in my professional development! Here I cultivated relationships with my team, industry professionals such as product reps, builders, designers, and trade professionals – relationships I never imagined would be so influential, special, and have a major impact on my future.
Leaving my Ferguson family wasn’t easy, but my next venture allowed me to be more hands-on in the homeowner’s experience. I was able to contribute my skills to assist homeowners in the selection process of their new construction homes for a production builder. There I learned about the construction process and importance of a build schedule. This was also where I began crafting concepts for spec homes, and pulled my understanding for product knowledge from Ferguson to implement a product training program across all departments to give my team the tools and confidence to face any homeowner questions that could arise throughout the process.
The next step in my career was going to work for a top high-end design firm in Nashville. However, I was still eager to create my own designs based on the clients vision, and I wanted to work 100% with the client directly to ensure they received the best experience during what can be a stressful one at times. So, I started digging in to a dream I’ve had for years.
At this point, however, my career path had given me the tools I needed to take my next step, and after facing some challenges in my personal life, it didn’t seem as scary anymore to go after my dream of starting Madalyn Ingram Designs. With the help and encouragement of a very special person in my life, I started creating a business plan in November of 2023.
By December, I left the company I was working for, and by February the majority of my start up was complete. All the while, I was constantly meeting with people I had built relationships with over the years (full circle); old co-workers and bosses, professors I had maintained relationships with from college, friends that are like-minded female entrepreneurs, builders and contractors I had kept relationships with, industry product reps, and so many more. With their unbelievable support and word of mouth recommendations, by April of 2024 Madalyn Ingram Designs was in full launch with 6 projects underway by mid-May/early June.
It’s been unbelievably rewarding to do what I love and am good at with my own standards to approach projects. It’s rewarding to work with and get to know my clients to understand their stories, and how to create spaces that fit them. My perspective is that everyone wins with that approach. This experience has also reminded me of the support I have backing me up. That support has pushed me harder, and reminded me of how incredibly grateful I am for the relationships I’ve built and maintained over the course of my career.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The ultimate timing was perfect. The stars aligned logistically for me to be able to take on the task of starting my business, but the road to get there was undoubtedly challenging. Leading up to this venture, I lost my dad to cancer, learned about having a genetic disorder that pre-disposes me to cancer, which is what my dad, sister, and aunt all passed away from, then I had a major surgery, went through a divorce while recovering from that surgery with two small children – my youngest under 2 at the time, I had a career change before starting my business, and moved out of our family home.
I can’t deny that it was very very tough to keep my head on straight. The number one thing that got me through was prayer, and then the support of my unbelievable friendships. During the hardest time of it, my friend Hannah said to me “I believe you’re on the verge of something really big from God. There are huge changes and movements happening in your life – there is no way to think otherwise, and He’s in the process of removing people and things in your life that will hinder His plans in this next season. Just be sure to listen and allow it, or you can be in jeopardy of missing out on your calling”… I made that text my wallpaper on my phone. THAT is the kind of people God has surrounded me with, and a major reason I didn’t completely fall apart during that season.
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?
What separates me from other designers, is I’m not specific to one type of aesthetic. My goal is to create environments specific to each client.
Because of the relationships I’ve built within the industry over the years, I’m able to offer a unique, high-level experience for my clients that goes above and beyond.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mom has been a major contributor in supporting me through my entire story. My mentors from college; Rebecca, Susan, and Shari have had a major impact in their support emotionally, as a mom, and in my career – they’re great cheerleaders, and have referred me to clients! My friends and even previous homeowners I’ve had in the past had a huge role in my start up. And my Ferguson family including the ones have expanded in to new careers themselves, have played a major role in giving me courage, spreading the word, and supporting me in my current projects!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madalyningramdesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madalyningramdesigns?igsh=d3dqYTFjYXJ4emFj&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558393977648
