Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Nystrom.
Marissa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
You know sometimes when things happen and you don’t necessarily plan for them? Well, that’s how it started, The Sunny Nest Decor anyways… Sip Wine n’ Sign was planned!
December 17th, 2015, I quit my full-time job as a Supervisor in retail. At the time, I couldn’t believe my husband and I was making that decision because at that point, we were struggling financially but we just had too. My husband’s job covered our living expenses but I was making barely more than it cost to send my daughter to full-time daycare all while beginning a custody battle for my now full-time stepson and it just didn’t make sense. We realized we could cut back where we needed too, to make ends meet, so I quit. My sister-in-law had an old Cricut machine and I mean old, like the ones that took cartridges old, but she had never used it and offered it to me to borrow and try out and help her figure out how to use it too. It kept me busy while I was now a stay-at-home mom needing to pass the time during afternoon naps. I started making greeting cards and then I started making pillows. I remember when I posted my first pillow and someone wanted to buy it, I was shocked!
So, I kept on making pillows and this lasted about a month until I attempted to make a painted wood sign and that’s where I found my true passion. Here we were struggling to make ends meet but what I was making, selling and helping us out and that’s when The Sunny Nest Decor launched. Handmade, hand painted wood signs that could be customized for your home. In February 2016, I started my own online Etsy shop to expand my audience and that’s when it really took off. A few months went by and then, I started thinking since the demand for signs is so high, why not teach people how to do this? That’s when Sip Wine n’ Sign was born, a wood sign painting party business, where we come to your home, bring all the supplies to make and take a wood sign while you and some friends drink wine (or whatever it is you drink). It literally is the ultimate get together, in my opinion, which is obviously bias, but they are still so much fun and perfect for girls’ nights, corporate events, kids parties and so much more!
What would happen to us next was crazy though.
At this point, we were still renting a 2-bedroom apartment with a little patio. My dad and husband had created a small space for me on that patio where I learned how to use a miter-saw and all sorts of tools to make my signs, but then, the noise complaints started (I never worked before 9 or after 4 in the afternoon). One day, I came home and a notice was on our front door, a 60-day notice. I was devastated, to say the least! We were now a full-time family of four and we were being kicked out of our apartment because I was working on my back patio, making wood signs so we could afford our bills every month. So, we began looking for a house with a garage so that I could continue doing what I loved. A house, that had this happened six months prior, we would not have been able to afford but because of my husband’s support and my determination to make these businesses successful, it allowed us that opportunity. We found the perfect starter house (which we still live in for now) which has a decent sized shop and space for me to continue doing what I love without disrupting anyone around us.
The Sunny Nest Decor has now turned into more than just signs and includes Farmhouse style home decor inspiration and even some handmade furniture by husband (when he has free time) as well! Sip Wine n’ Sign has grown tremendously and now has nine independent Licensees (other female entrepreneurs that I am pleased to surround myself with) that represent the company out there hosting painting parties of their own! When I look back, I thank god every day for that 60-day notice, it was literally a blessing in disguise and as for my husband and parents, they are my continued support system, who work 50-60 hours at a normal job and still find the time to help me with the hustle.
We have also just launched a 6-Week Bootcamp course to reach those outside of San Diego to teach them how to start a business just like Sip Wine n’ Sign as well!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course, not. I mean obviously being slapped with a 60-day move out notice was burdensome enough, but being an entrepreneur is seriously something let me tell ya! You literally are wearing every single hat when it comes to running a business, and for me, that’s two businesses I have to do that for! Don’t let that scare you though if you are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur because there are a multitude of reasons why it is worth it. There are definitely times when I miss working an 8-5 job, but then I check my kids’ folders when they get home from school and find a permission slip for a field trip which needs chaperones and I am able to attend those. I struggle daily with keeping up with it all though. The home decor market is constantly changing so my wheels are always turning when it comes to adapting to those changes to keep my businesses relevant. Work/Life balance is exceedingly difficult and I don’t know that I’ll ever find the perfect balance between the two but it is something I place high on my priority list and strive for daily.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Sunny Nest Decor & Sip Wine n’ Sign – what should we know?
Well, to start, The Sunny Nest Decor is primarily curated of handmade wood signs. Wood signs that I hand make from start to finish. We recently have added a line of laser-cut sign options to our products which I am extremely excited about! We do a lot of custom sign work too which is something I love doing because it allows our customers to be a part of the process. I thoroughly enjoy being able to walk through room-makeovers with my customers and being a part of that experience with them. I think that is what sets The Sunny Nest Decor apart is that even though we are primarily a handmade wood sign shop, I pride this business on taking it to the next level and offering home decor advice and ways to style our products when you shop with us!
Sip Wine n’ Sign is where I’ve taken sign-making up a notch and we bring the wood sign painting party to you, literally. We bring everything you need to make and take your sign while you attend a party hosted at your home with a group of friends, or whoever! We even offer public events all over San Diego and Temecula so that if you don’t want to host, you can jump in and join one of these open events! It is such a fun time and you get to create something you will hang up in your home. We were the first of our kind in San Diego and have continued to lead the market in this one-of-a-kind experience. Taking customer sign suggestions is something we love doing to help our guests create the perfect pieces for their homes. We have Independent Licensees that cover from south San Diego all the way into Riverside area.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Being humble and kind… and not because I love them Tim McGraw song, but because that is something that I truly believe is the reason for my continued success. It is so easy to become caught up in the achievements of a successful business but staying humble about it, is where personal growth happens and develops into continued business success. So much of my business comes from my community so we do what we can to give back to local non-profit organizations through fundraising events and item donations. I am forever grateful to have so many locals that continue to support The Sunny Nest Decor and Sip Wine n’ Sign.
Pricing:
- Sip Wine n’ Sign Parties range from $20-$55 per person depending on the sign.
- The Sunny Nest Decor- Prices Vary depending on size/style. Please contact directly for specific item pricing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSunnyNestDecor
- Email: info@sipwinensign.com or thesunnynestdecor@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesunnynestdecor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sipwinensign
- Other: www.sipwinensign.com
Image Credit:
Burkard Photography (Angela Burkard)
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