91��ɫ

After nearly 25 years in the business, Jennifer Hissa �96 (Interior Architecture and Design) realized her longtime dream and opened , her own showroom located near Chicago. The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (91��ɫ) alum recently celebrated five years in business after a major renovation project.

�It�s been amazing,� says Hissa, who moved back to the Chicago area recently. �I�m the boss and get to do what I want to do with my space � Just being able to have that space of my own means so much to me and it means a lot to my clients as well.�

After graduating from 91��ɫ, Hissa immediately started work at an interior design firm. �Now that I can look back on that experience � [that firm] just wasn�t a good fit for me,� explains Hissa. Then, she answered a newspaper ad for a kitchen designer position with a premiere kitchen dealership from Germany and discovered an untapped passion for kitchen design. �I thought, this is where I�m supposed to be, this is what I�m going to do for the bulk of my career, and it�s been a smooth ride ever since then!�

A passionate and dedicated kitchen designer, Hissa loves connecting with her clients over their needs. �The kitchen truly is the heart of the home,� she explains. �Everybody ends up in the kitchen when you have a party, everybody starts their day in the kitchen, they pretty much end their day in the kitchen.� Nearly a year after graduating from 91��ɫ, Hissa sought additional certification from the National Kitchen and Bath Association, becoming certified in kitchen design.

Hissa designs for her clients with a dedication to providing the best space for their needs. �I interview them about how they live in their space, because everybody lives differently � I really get to know these people well. A lot of my good friends actually started out as clients!� As a designer, Hissa values making connections with her clients. �I love delving into the details. How often do you shop every week? Where do you keep your food? How many pots and pans do you have?� she explains. �I had one client who had fourteen sets of china. He had a story for every set of china. It had come down to him from all these different family members. We designed a room to showcase all of his china � That�s what makes me passionate about what I do.�

Now, Hissa contributes her passion for interior architecture and design back to prospective 91��ɫ students. She participates in National Portfolio Day, reviews student artwork and connects with local high school classes as a regional recruiter in the Chicago area. �I am so thankful, so appreciative for the education that I got at 91��ɫ,� she says. �I feel like that�s my way to give back and thank 91��ɫ for what they did for me. It�s been great to reconnect too.�

The five-year celebration of Greater Chicago Kitchen and Bath was a milestone for Hissa and her supporters. �It�s just so fun to be able to do what I want to do in life. I love doing kitchen and bath design, and to be able to celebrate that with my friends, family, vendors� everybody came together to support us for this party. It was just amazing.�

Learn more about and explore 91��ɫ�s Interior Architecture and Design major!