Welcome, I'm Jessica Cortes, founder of Mod North & Co., an interior designer turned maker living and creating in our home studio in Wisconsin.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design from Mount Mary University, which propelled me into a rewarding 13-year career as an interior designer. Throughout my career, I had the privilege of working on numerous projects in the commercial design field, including corporate, higher education, healthcare, and military/government interiors. However, in 2012, after the birth of my first child, I made the decision to step away from the design world and embrace the role of a stay-at-home mother. It was a fulfilling experience as I watched my family grow with the arrival of my second child.

As time went on, I felt a strong desire to engage my creative side once again, but I wasn't quite sure what form that would take. It was a good friend who suggested I open my first Etsy shop, where I started selling vintage home décor and furnishings under the name SoLoMarket. During one of my buying trips to Florida, I stumbled upon an old vintage agate clock. Although it didn't work and some dial markers were missing, the agate slice itself had a breathtaking aquamarine blue color. Intrigued, I decided to learn how to fix it, replace the dial markers, and listed it for sale in my Etsy shop. Surprisingly, it sat there for over a year without any takers.

But then, something magical happened. In the early spring of March 2016, Etsy featured the clock on their front page! It instantly garnered a lot of attention and sold within a couple of hours. The clock received over four thousand hits and countless messages from people asking when I would restock it. Sadly, as I only sold one-of-a-kind vintage items, I had to disappoint each one individually, explaining that there wouldn't be any more available.

Later that evening, while discussing the day's exciting events with my husband, a light bulb went off in my head. I said to him, "What if we could create a modern version of this amazing vintage clock?" Inspired, I immediately got to work, figuring out how to design, create, and sell a more contemporary agate desk clock. Before long, the initial product listing went live, and the very first batch of agate desk clocks was shared with the world.

In 2017, I decided to rebrand my shop as Mod North & Co., expanding the product line to include agate wall clock designs and my exclusive agate garlands, which quickly gained popularity. Over the next two years, I further developed my designs to include agate dreamcatchers and agate wall art, creating a cohesive collection of agate home décor products. During this time, I officially established my business as an LLC, filed for my first design patent, and obtained several trademarks. In 2019, I also formed a partnership with Anthropologie, who sought out Mod North & Co. to sell my signature Agate Desk Clocks.

In 2020, I felt a renewed sense of taking Mod North to the next level. I migrated to a new ecommerce platform, designed a brand-new website, and expanded my marketing efforts through a new partnership. These changes propelled my business to new heights. As of March 2023, over 10,000 Mod North Clocks and Wall Hangings have found their forever homes—with many more to come!

FAITH, FAMILY & FREEDOME
Aside from my passion for entrepreneurship and design, I am a homeschooling, patriotic, American First mother. We believe in Faith, Family and Freedom; raising strong, civil minded, critical thinking children who love our great country. I reside in the beautiful lake country area of Oconomowoc, WI, with my marine veteran husband and our five young children.

MOD NORTH BOHO AGATE HOME DECOR
At Mod North & Co., I take pride in crafting each clock, garland, and dreamcatcher by hand, custom-made to order. I believe in using only the finest materials, so I source the best-in-class components from Brazil and collaborate with fellow small companies in the USA for the clock components. When it comes to the agate slices, I ensure they are ethically sourced, employing fair trade practices that contribute to stimulating the local economy.

Leveraging my design background, I apply the same principles used in designing spaces to create my pieces. I meticulously consider every detail, including how the agate slab beautifully rests on the powder-coated metal base, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing and visually captivating design.

Every timepiece is meticulously constructed, featuring a quiet Seiko mechanism and exquisite brass and gold accents. Each clock is not just a functional timepiece but a unique work of art. It serves as a delightful gift or a sophisticated addition to your nightstand or desk. We all need to keep track of time, so why not do it in style with an elegant statement piece that will stand the test of time and be cherished for generations to come.

🖐 Wanna connect with me?
▪ Website: www.modnorth.com/
▪ Instagram: www.instagram.com/modnorthandco/
▪ Facebook: www.facebook.com/modnorthandco/
▪ Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/modnorthandco/