Who is Wesley Edmonds?

From childhood inspiration to bold career moves, Wesley Edmonds’ journey is a reminder that great design always begins with a great story. Rooted in Southern charm and fueled by creative exploration, her path reflects a deep passion for building spaces with meaning. Whether she’s connecting with clients, contributing to Imagine a Place, or sharing laughs with her two boys, Wesley brings thoughtfulness, authenticity, and warmth to everything she does.
In this interview, Wesley shares how her career evolved, what fuels her work at OFS, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Let’s start at the beginning. Where did your career in design begin? Was there a particular moment or experience that sparked your interest in this field?

I have loved everything about beautiful design and architecture since I was a kid and my parents would drive around the old neighborhoods of Roswell, GA after church on Sundays and admire the old southern homes and all of their charm and detail. My mom has always kept a beautiful home as well so I grew up in and around great design. I knew then that I wanted to be an architect or a designer and went to the University of Georgia to do exactly that - I majored in Interior Architecture and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Working towards a major in design allowed me an opportunity to study abroad in Cortona, Italy for the Summer of my junior year and being immersed in the ancient arts and culture while living surrounded by the architecture of our history books made such a huge impression on me. I believe that if you have an eye for beauty and design, you’ll search for it everywhere and carry that passion with you. I blame this as the reason why I also love clothes so much!
 

Can you share what first brought you to OFS and what your initial role looked like? What drew you to the brand and its vision?

Working as a designer at a commercial design firm in Atlanta, GA right out of college was the dream job I spent four years (and an adolescence leading up to that) working towards. That said, about two years into the role, I learned that my favorite part of every project was tagging along on our client pitches and hearing every different clients’ story and dreams of what their space could be. When it came time to get back to the computer and do the design work, I just wanted to get back into another client meeting and chat about hopes and dreams and their personal workplace journey. It became pretty clear that my passion was in the people-side of the business and more of a business development role than the role of a designer leading the charge on the interior build out of the space. This led me to pursue the role of an Architecture and Design Sales Rep at two different dealerships in the Atlanta area. There I learned the other side of the business, all about the furniture selection process and how much impact furniture alone can make in a space, how to bridge my design brain with the competitive sales side of my brain. It was an amazing journey that ultimately led me to meeting the reps for OFS, this amazing furniture manufacturer I kept coming across. And when the job opened up for an A&D Rep role at OFS, I honestly immediately knew I had to take it and it became and has continued to be my forever dream job.

What are your hopes and ambitions for Imagine a Place? How do you see your role evolving as the platform grows and connects with new audiences?

I have big hopes for Imagine a Place. I feel like the world of podcasting and creative content is only getting wider and deeper so content needs to have purpose and provide value to be worth a listener or reader’s time. With Imagine a Place, the team has created a platform that brings our audience up close and personal to the personalities in and around the industry that are doing the things we can ALL learn from. I’d like to see us push these boundaries of what we can do and who we can bring our listeners into conversations with. I see big brands finding that IAP hears their voice and sees their passion more than others. I dream that we’ll become a “must listen/read” because the content we provide goes deeper and brings more value to their limited time and overstimulated lives. Time is precious; IAP will continue to grow in how we bring insights and inspiration that provide joy and also valuable resources, this is where we will continue to set ourselves apart. 

Outside of work, what are some passions or interests that keep you grounded and inspired? Are there personal values or causes that influence your professional approach?

Colossians 3:23 (NLT) says “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” My faith is certainly the main thing that keeps me grounded and this verse is a personal favorite because it reminds me that the work I do, we do, is far bigger than ourselves and is always an opportunity to serve others. Additionally and on a very different note, my two wild little boys keep me very grounded. They keep my husband and I very humble by using him as a jungle gym and me as their personal orange peeler on a regular basis - it’s hard to take yourself too seriously when the ones who call you Mom and Dad remind you that you’re “embarrassing” and “not all that funny” (even though we totally are!). 

For those just starting out in design, what advice would you give to young designers who want to follow a career path similar to yours?

Be as open minded to the different paths this amazing industry offers as you possibly can. I really struggled leaving my “traditional” designer role to move into business development and sales. I thought I was giving up my degree and that could not have been farther from the truth. Your passion and schooling for design allows you to bring a professional heart and opinion to your job, no matter what corner of the industry it leads you into.

Looking back, are there any key lessons, challenges, or turning points in your career that helped shape your current approach to work and leadership?

I worked for a very strict female boss right out of school who certainly helped me to get out of my shell and into my big girl pants but maybe could have been kinder through the process. This taught me both how to receive criticism without falling apart and also how I wanted to be sure to give criticism later in my career. I now try very hard to be open minded, always assume best intent, and ask more than I tell. If I know anything for sure, it’s that my ideas always get better when I talk them out with others; leading with pride is the quickest way to fail. 

In a constantly evolving industry, what is it about workplace design, storytelling, or brand-building that continues to excite you?  How do you stay inspired and innovative?

As the Director of Workplace, I love this question so much. Our world is constantly changing and evolving with every new technology advancement, product invention and scientific discovery. The workplace should reflect this constant growth. The people who show up to do their jobs in a workplace are just that, people. The spaces they interact with should inspire them to do their best work and provide the perfect environment to succeed and grow. At OFS, we get to help with this every single day and I get to talk with and learn from our internal and external teams on how we can strategize better and accomplish more with each new day. There is a natural inspiration in simply aspiring to more with every new opportunity.

What's next for Wesley Edmonds?

Wesley continues to bring stories of design and human connection to life as the host of the Imagine a Place limited series In the ROOM. Through her thoughtful interviews and on-site storytelling, she’s explored themes of creativity, culture, and purpose—most recently at ICFF, Design Days, and WorkX. Dive deeper into her conversations by exploring the episodes below.