I’m actually so thrilled that I had a change of heart on my 31 days topic. This is all so fresh on my mind now, and I know one day, I’ll be thrilled to look back to recount these days leading up to the opening of our studio/shop.
It’s pretty funny, you know. How God chooses to prepare you for what you were meant to do.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Business Admin, with a minor in English. Immediately after school, I began teaching English & Business while working on my Masters (which I never finished, by the way–best decision of my life). After taking time off to be home with my first little one, I began working in direct sales with a home decor company….and I fell in love with running my own business & helping other women do the same or decorate their home.
After a while, though, I was just gone too much. I traveled a few hundred miles every week, and it was too much for this mama to continue enjoying. After taking time off during my pregnancy with Ava, I could feel myself getting antsy. I needed to create, to work, but I needed it to fit my new life.
And on Christmas day in 2009, I wrote my first blog post. A VERY random decision, by the way. I was sitting on the couch, surrounded by crumpled wrapping paper, and I had to write.
Fast forward a couple of years, and I have this beautiful place to call home–you guys to thank for it. I never, ever imagined what opportunities would come.
And in March, we became stockists for the wonderful Chalk Paint™.
It’s just all so funny…how each opportunity and experience all led me to writing this blog, and running my own business. I don’t typically talk about the business side of the blog, but oh buddy, it’s there.
It’s not always wrapped up in a three-piece suit, but I’m setting goals & crossing them off almost daily. Even if I am in my pajamas.
Running a multi-faceted online business has been amazing….the blog (good content, advertisers, sponsors, sponsored posts, paid challenges), selling our paint online, eBooks, etc. It certainly has kept me BUSY.
As we were thinking about whether or not to open our own place, we went back and forth sooo many times. We had a great thing going with very little expense.
Now, though, it seems time to have a place to work. There are several reasons that make up our WHY:
1. it seems time to push this thing to the limits and see what happens. It’s time to go for it in a new way.
2. we need a place to work on projects and furniture. I can’t have 5 dressers in my foyer at all times anymore. It just doesn’t work for our family. While I love being able to “go to work” in my pj’s, it’s just time to have a place that is all work and inspiration. It’s also time to be able to keep up with our normal messes at home, minus all the work messes.
3. it’s time to keep our inventory in one place. Carrying Chalk Paint is quite busy. And we’ll be carrying MMS milk paint, soon, too! With just one line, it was already getting pretty chaotic and unorganized to keep shipping inventory and local inventory separate. Very easy to make mistakes with numbers & very hard to keep shelves stocked at the antique store.
4. I want a place to write my next book in. It’s really exciting to know that I could be writing a whole new book, project by project…and be able to leave it all out, and take my time working on it, because it’s not keeping me from parking my car in the garage.
5. Most importantly, it seems part of my dream. My sole dream isn’t to run a retail business, but to help other moms/families/couples decorate with a purpose, and create a haven for themselves and their families….to write this blog & follow the opportunities that (prayerfully) feel right. So, opening this shop/studio is part of my dream. I cannot wait to have a whole space that looks like this blog. Won’t that be crazy neat??
I think a lot of people open brick & mortar businesses because it sounds fun…it’s just what creative people do. I also believe fully that they aren’t all guaranteed to be profitable. Now, we’ll talk about that in one whole post, so I better not get ahead of myself. Profit is a part of success…but not all of it.
At the end of the day, our WHY was too strong and poked at my heart (and my side that likes a challenge) long enough for me to give in. We’ll give this a try.
Tomorrow we’ll talk about the WHAT….what do I want this place to look like? What are we going to be carrying? What is going in all of those shelves??
See you then…
I love your stories…look forward to watching your journey! ~Kim
Thanks, Balleywife!! I’m so happy to have you along!
🙂
shaunna
This is very exciting. It’s inspiring to hear the story of your success.
~FringeGirl
Thanks so much! It’s really not me at all–God has kind of blown me away with this all.
🙂
shaunna
May God grant you wisdom, discernment, and vision as you move forward. May you and your family give him glory everyday as you use the gifts he has so generously given you.
peace.
Hello!
I stumbled across your blog from who knows where, but boy am I glad I did! I purchased an e-book from you also! I LOVE refinishing furniture and your book has taught me so much. I am going to tackle my coffee table this weekend and Im so excited! I love your story and your journey and Im thrilled to follow along and hear about it! Blessings to you and Perfectly Imperfect!
Kayla
I am so excited for you! I too would do a back flip to come hang out in a place that looks and feels like your blog. Wow!
Love your stories , love chalk paint, can’t wait to here more. May the force be with you !!!!
This is so exciting! I’ve loved watching the business evolve and you have inspired me so much. I think my favorite line of your post today is, “It’s pretty funny, you know. How God chooses to prepare you for what you were meant to do.”
So, so true! Also, point #5 makes me so happy. You have definitely helped me make my apartment a place that I love!
Thank you! 🙂
Emily
I want to hear every detail. Don’t hold back! Thanks for all you share.
This post was an awnsered prayer! Thank you.
Wow. This post was an awnsered prayer! Thank you.
I can’t wait to visit the new store! I know the place will be awesome.
I’m constantly inspired by your blogs! Thank you!
Hugs from Della
I wish you SO much luck in this endeavor! Good for you for having a dream — and going for it! Reading stories like yours give me hope and courage that I, too, will be able to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. (I’m 52.) Am obsessed with interior decorating. Love to write. Am thinking about starting a blog soon! Anyway, wish lots of wonderful things for you as you begin this new chapter of your life, Shaunna. Thanks for being one of my inspirations.
I SO see growth in you…your heart! God is showing up as you are stepping out into the unknown…He knows your heart in and out..we are all cheering you on…clapping…can you feel it?XO
This actually brought a tear to my eye! I can “feel” your heart in all of it & am SOOOOOOO excited for you & your family!
Also, I got my very first wax today & can I just say, it is the COOL WHIP of waxes!! YUMMY!! I fell IN love as soon as I got all 100 layers of tape off lol! I was like a kid at Christmas trying to get to the looooooooong awaited robot that I always dreamed of lol!Thank you so much Shaunna!!
Best Wishes on your new business venture. I am excited to watch your journey:)
Looking forward to the profit part. Love following your blog and all the helpful hints.
Happy writing, donna
I started my own business about a year and a half ago – a marketing and graphic design business from home – and it was the scariest thing I’ve ever done. And I still think it will be the best. While I don’t make as much money as I did before, my life is so much better. I get to be creative and meet wonderful people (and I can do it in my pjs if I want). I think it’s very interesting how things in life work out and how we are guided to those decisions if we just take the time to listen. I can’t wait to read your series on your shop and know it will be everything you dream it can be.
I hope you know how we are celebrating with you guys!
I feel something churning in my own heart…but it’s so brand new that I can’t even put words to it.
I can’t wait to follow along on the journey over these next 31 days!
Isn’t it interesting to be living a dream you didn’t know you had 4 years ago? I love reading your story.