“I make up to $500 for each piece of furniture I flip!”
“I used to work as an elementary school teacher, and I’ve always been into crafts and DIY projects around the house. When my son, who has a heart defect, had to have surgery, I had to find a way to make extra money to pay the bills. A friend of mine, who knew I was good at refurbishing furniture, gave me several pieces to paint. I then set up shop on my front porch and sold them through Facebook Marketplace. I continued to flip more pieces, and eventually, in order to also support other local women business owners, I opened a storefront, Honeycomb Creative and Co. (HoneycombCreativeAndCo.com), where we could all sell our furniture.
“I buy old furniture at estate sales, garage sales, the Salvation Army and at Habitat for Humanity ReStore shops. Then before reselling, I paint them, change the hardware, switch out the backing and add new legs so they’re more sturdy. Customers also hire me to refurbish their own furniture. During the pandemic, our business has really taken off because people are at home and looking for a creative outlet. As a result, I host live virtual workshops and sell DIY kits so people can learn to repair and paint their own furniture.
“To market the business, I use social media, email, partnerships with other businesses and with Habitat for Humanity, and I host events. I love taking old furniture and making it new again, and I love that I can inspire others to do the same. The process is rewarding, relaxing and fun. I make between $100 and $500 on a piece of furniture, depending on the size and style. The money I make pays the bills, goes back into the business and pays for my home renovations.”