Becoming A Small Business Owner One Restoration At a Time

Hi!  My name is Cheryl and I am a furniture hoarder. I’m also a woman who owns and runs a successful small business in our community. You can often find me full of sawdust and paint, out in my garage, holding some sort of power tool. I found something to be passionate about, and you can too!  

Over the course of the past 50 years, I’ve had many jobs. I’ve been a nanny, a waitress, a housekeeper, and a sales person. My last job, before becoming a small business owner, was as an office manager. I loved my job working at the school where my children attended, but there was always something missing. I needed something to make me feel like I was making a difference or doing a good job. My adult children were beginning to leaving the nest, and I needed something to fulfill that feeling of emptiness that surrounded me.  

My husband has always been an awesome provider. Our family has never gone without any of our needs, and he’s always been supportive of me and our children. I never really felt like I was contributing, though. I knew I was, but not as much as I would have liked. I felt like there was something else that I could be doing. Something to make me happy. I wanted to feel passionate about something.

I Got Hooked

One Saturday afternoon, almost 4 years ago , I took a chalk painting class. I still have the bright blue picture frame, and I smile wide when I look at it. From there, my projects became bigger. I found myself restoring a table, dresser, or sets of chairs. I moved on to desks, dining sets, and buffets. As crazy as it sounds, I finally knew what I wanted to be when I grew up! Painting and repurposing furniture became my passion and brought new joy into my life.

After speaking with several business owners in the area, I researched what I would have to do to turn my little garage business into a legitimate one. I contacted an accountant, found out what I needed to do to be considered as a real business in our state, and then I took the plunge! I decided on a name for my business (Hopping Wren Furniture, LLC, as we have hops in our front yard and our street’s name is Wren Drive) and then I registered it, paid my fees, and applied for a tax number. I started up a Facebook page, and Instagram and a website. I was off!  

To tell you the truth, I was a bit overwhelmed at first. Who starts a business in their late 40s doing something TOTALLY different from what they had ever done before? I did. Who thinks their business is going to be both successful and make them happy? I did. Who jumps in with both feet ready to swim? I did! Starting up my business has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. At first, I was a bit reserved about getting my name out into the community. (I’d consider myself an introverted extrovert!) But after my first legit sale, charging tax and giving a receipt, I was hooked. I was happy and knew what I wanted to achieve. So, for 40+ hours each week, I took over my husband’s garage and painted away!  We (I couldn’t do any of this without my hubby’s support) went to auctions and rummage sales, filled up our garage and I haven’t looked back since.  

A Community of Small Business Owners

My “little” business has evolved into so much more over the past few years. My furniture is now being sold in a few consignment shops in the Duluth area. I rent a room at a local vintage boutique, Golly G in Hermantown, and change things up every month for their fun sales. I’ve traveled throughout the state to do custom orders for homes, cabins, and businesses. My custom order calendar is booked at least a month ahead at all times. My little business has become much larger than I ever imagined.

I truly love being a small business owner in Duluth. My business has been so well received into the large community of makers that reside here. I am blessed to be part of a group of business owners who offer excellent and personal customer service and form a sense of community with other businesses around them. I’ve also learned that when one of us needs something, other local businesses are quick to help. The whole “shop local” thing is legit. Keeping your business and dollars local are what we own our businesses for.

Being a small business owner in our community has changed my life. Have there been any drawbacks? We haven’t parked in our garage for almost 3 years. I hate doing taxes, as I am a creator, not an accountant. But that’s about it! The best part about owning a small business? The feeling I get while operating large saws, air guns, and cordless tools makes me absolutely giddy! The smiles and hugs I get when I renew and re-love a piece of furniture that has been in someone’s family for years. The satisfaction of having a plan in my head for a piece and seeing it come to fruition. Experiencing the transition of a drab and broken dresser evolve into a statement piece for someone’s home. I’ve made friendships with other local business women in the area that have made my life more robust. There are so many reasons why I am glad I chased my dream!

If you are sitting on the fence about doing what you are passionate about, go for it! Only you can act on your dream and find that one thing that is your niche. Walt Disney once said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Look how things turned out for him. Get off the fence and start chasing your dreams. You’ll never know if they come true if you don’t try.