Liz McNamara shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Liz, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I run a working farm on my property, I specialize in sanctuary rescue but also grow and raise my own food. I have been rescuing animals my whole life and now with having land I can take in the animals that are hard to find homes for and let them live out their best lives with me. Any rescues I take in that are young and without special needs I do my best to find them the perfect forever homes and those that I can’t I make sure I’m their perfect forever home. Watching the animals bloom and experience real love is truly rewarding. My nieces and nephews now help on the farm and I love watching them learn about the animals and building trust together. They also work hard on cleaning the pens and helping in the garden to grow their vegetables. Teaching the next generation how your food is grown is great to watch.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
The Barn Redefined is a mother-daughter team, Debi (mom) and Liz (daughter) work together to create a shop that specializes in sustainability and helping make your house a home. We blend old with new and really focus on finding items that will last another lifetime, not something you will replace in 3 months. We have been around for 18 years and feel so grateful to have so much support with our customers to keep being able to do this year after year. We have a warehouse in Poway that is open year round with everyday products for your home, then come to the holiday season we go BIG! We do a pop up Christmas shop every year where we decorate close to 25 different themed Christmas trees with all the goodies you could image to shop through. We partner with a charity every year, it is the season for giving after all! This year we are having our pop up event at The Ramona Town hall and they are the charity we will be supporting this year. They are trying to save the historical building and really need a new roof. We hope to help them fundraise for this new roof and will be partnering with other local small business in Ramona to see what we can make happen!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My mom and dad owned their own business for over 30 years. I grew up watching them work so hard to provide for our family while also making time for us as a family. I started helping my mom in their office by stuffing envelopes and filing at a young age. When I was 14 my dad got me parakeets and cockatiels and I started breeding them and raising them to sell. My parents helped me open a bank account and taught me how to start my own little business. I went to work for them full time after high school, and open The Barn Redefined when I was 25. So I blame them for me still working too hard for myself haha
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
YES! I almost closed the stores doors around year 6, I had dealt with the recession of ’08 was working 3 jobs to pay my bills and the keep the store open. I was really questioning what I was doing and even held a store closing sale! My customers were so supportive and encouraging to not give up, this is when my mom came on board and became my business partner and we have thrived working together every day since!
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
CHRISTMAS! We work on our Christmas pop up every year for about 8 months of the year. It is all heart and soul. The days, months and hours that go into setting up a shop for a quick 25 days is a lot, but the moment our customers walk in and to see the joy on their face makes every hour worth it. Christmas at The Barn has become family tradition not only for ourselves (my nieces and nephews all work on trees with us) but for our friends, staff and customers as well. It is truly a labor of love. Watching generations of families shop together, kids seeing all the trees and getting to pick out their very own ornaments its really magical. Our staff even works so hard to help us pull it off and most of them are family or friends who jump in to help! I couldn’t imagine not doing Christmas at The Barn at this point. Christmas to me is the season for giving and we inspire to give the gift of the holiday spirit to everyone who comes through our doors and always a bonus to help a charity every year as well.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I was kind, helpful and someone they enjoyed having in their life. I try to help out my friends and family in any way I can and the animals. I love to help and I hope that is how people see me. I hope they know they can count on me when they need to. I know I can count on my friends and family when I need to so I truly hope they feel the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebarnredefined.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebarnredefined/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Countrysidebarn
