We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anna Grey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anna below.

Hi Anna, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

Alley Cats Furniture was born in the alleyways of Chicago. At 20, I was a student focused on film and photography, spending countless days walking to and from the train. Along the way, I kept noticing furniture left on curbs – everything from used IKEA side tables to beautiful antique pieces.

One day, I came across some furniture in the alleyway and the thought hit me: Could I sell this for profit? With the help of my roommate, we lugged it back, cleaned it up, and posted it on Facebook Marketplace. The next day, I was $50 richer.

That was the start of it all. It wasn’t a grand breakthrough moment. Really, it was just a way to make some extra cash. But little did I know, that decision in the alleyway would turn into something much bigger. Seven years later, restoring and refurbishing furniture is not just my job – it truly is my favorite thing.

Anna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I see myself as a creative and driven person who thrives on accomplishing small goals. Furniture refurbishing fits perfectly with this mindset. People are constantly selling and buying items, especially furniture, creating an ongoing demand for secondhand pieces. My niche is providing affordable, sustainable, and unique furniture within that cycle. It’s this cycle that fuels my confidence in pushing forward. I know my services are valuable and I absolutely love what I do. It’s a win-win.

What sets me apart from other furniture restorers is my ability to embrace imperfection. I value my time, and I refuse to get caught up in perfectionism unless it’s really worth it – and most of the time, it’s not. If you’re fixing something broken or overlooked, any effort is better than none. Most of the time, people aren’t looking for perfection anyway – they’re looking for something functional and unique.

I’m really proud of how much I’ve learned to trust my instincts. The moment I look at a piece, I immediately know whether it will sell, what I can do to bring it back to life, and how much I’ll enjoy working on it. It’s an intuitive connection to the work that makes all the difference.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’ve let go of the pressure to “succeed” with my digital presence. I love documenting my work, but for a while, I was looking for viral success and lost sight of my true creative vision. After awhile, I decided to stop trying to fit into a mold and focus only on putting out content that feels authentic to me. The views and followers dropped, but that’s completely fine. It’s freeing to let go of the pressure and focus on enjoying the process instead.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

A extremely rewarding part of being a creative person is the power to change and transform. When you’re an artist, you’re not confined to a box – you have the freedom to explore different ventures, fail, try again, or completely pivot. And when you’re surrounded by other creative people, it creates an environment full of encouragement. They get it – they understand what it’s like to have an idea, to bring it to life, and to navigate all the roadblocks along the way.

Another aspect I appreciate is the ability to combine my passion with financial success. I understand the struggle many artists face – there’s often doubt or fear that creativity and financial stability are incompatible. But breaking through that barrier is possible. When you embrace the idea that success can come from doing what you love, it’s profound. You stop feeling guilty about prioritizing your creative pursuits because you know they can lead to real prosperity. You give yourself permission to thrive! For me, merging creativity with financial stability has led to a richer, more fulfilling life where work is no longer a sacrifice but a celebration of my passion and achievements.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alleycatsfurniture.wixsite.com/my-site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alleycatsfurniture/?hl=en
• Other: My photography and film website: https://ahansford25.wixsite.com/mysite

Image Credits

Artwork & Logos by: Lorien Rain
Photography by: Evie Hansford