Becoming an entrepreneur was natural for Julie Hockney. In 2007, sitting at home with a newborn baby, she was inspired to start JH Interior Design Studio. It was the confidence to try out the interior design business, messy or not, that gave her the boost to dive in.
“I was just excited to start something and I think for a lot of entrepreneurs, that’s where it begins,” she said. “I started in my basement. It wasn’t glamorous, it wasn’t big. It was really grassroots. And I just loved building something. I loved finding people to come alongside that vision.”
Once established, Hockney often found herself creating bouquets of flowers for photo shoots in her kitchen late at night. It was then that she realized she could open a companion business. Bouquet, a full-service floral design studio, was opened in 2014. But, she didn’t stop there. The Studio by JH, a retail store featuring a showroom and art gallery was opened in 2021. Additionally, she opened a second interior design branch in Steamboat, Colorado.
With the majority of her businesses located off of N. 98th Street within the Clocktower Village strip mall, Hockney rounded out her ventures in 2022 when she purchased The Winery, an established wine shop and deli that had previously shuttered its doors.
“I naturally have a lot of energy. I love people. And I love figuring things out,” Hockney said of her serial entrepreneurism. “I think the combo of those three is always just a great formula for a new project. You can’t do it alone. So bringing people in and getting to know them and what motivates them and having them feel successful is a better feeling to me than anything.”
Hockey serves on the board of EO Nebraska and is currently president-elect, making her the first female president of the organization when she steps into the role in July 2024. She said her involvement in EO has provided a key support system along the way.
“It’s hard to explain how incredibly helpful it is to have other people in the same situation,” she said. “Having those people there even just to listen or share an experience of something they did is just so incredibly valuable and helpful. It’s almost this built-in safety net.”
Address: 721 N. 98th St. Omaha, NE 68144
Phone: (402) 934-3474
Website: www.jhdesignomaha.com
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Houzz
EO Nebraska: Martha McSally
EO Nebraska is excited to welcome Martha McSally, America’s first female fighter pilot, to speak about how to overcome fear, build exceptional teams and be agile and resilient in a turbulent world. As the first woman in U.S. History to fly a fighter jet in combat and command a fighter squadron in combat, Colonel (ret) McSally has proven she has the right stuff to survive and excel in high-pressure, high-risk, dynamic environments.
In this awe-inspiring program, Colonel McSally equips leaders with step-by-step guidance to choose courage, create a “wingman” mentality, and have a mindset of agility to overcome adversities and succeed in an uncertain world.
Are you an entrepreneur with a thirst for knowledge, who wants to grow your business and value events like this? If so, please contact Gwen Aspen, EO membership chair, to learn more at gaspen@anequim.net
Email: PO BOX 540815 Omaha NE 68154
Website: hub.eonetwork.org
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
