We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brad Priest. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brad below.
Hi Brad, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
J&B Home Decor & Gifts, in Elkhart IN, was created as a tribute to my late husband Jonathan Tuff. Our retail story began in October 2007 when Jonathan & his sister Cynthia became the 5th owners of an Interior Design business, Garber’s Interior Design, that started in 1935.
My life with Jonathan started on March 6th, 2000 in Chicago. He was already a successful Interior Designer & I was finishing a 20 year career as a Singer/Dancer in the Entertainment Industry. We would split our time between our Loft in Downtown Chicago & a growing business in Elkhart.
As Garber’s grew, we relocated the business to a larger space in 2011. In 2014 we started a wonderful relationship with the trade magazine Home Accents Today!!! After several feature articles on both Jonathan & I as well as the business the Editor & feature writer named us “The Garber Boys” which is funny because neither of us came from the Garber Family.
The business grew, our presence on social media grew, we had a weekly LIVE show on Facebook, more articles & feature stories were written, talks were in the works for a second location in Colorado, & a coffee table book–Entertaining w/the Garber Boys!!!
Life was Fantastic–until it wasn’t.
Jonathan unexpectedly pass away on March 28th, 2021.
I suddenly lost my husband, my business partner, my best friend of 21 years-3 weeks-1 day!!!
Now What–???
we gave it a year to see if we could keep the business going but it’s impossible to run a Design Firm without your lead designer. On April 1st, 2022 Cynthia made the difficult decision to close Garber’s Interior Design.
Now–prior to all of this–Jonathan & I had talked about opening a much smaller version of what we had been doing. An Intimate Retail Home Decor & Gift Shop that him & I could operate on our own.
So—in only 4 months I Created & Opened J&B Home Decor & Gifts on September 6th, 2022!!!
J stands for Jonathan — B stands for Brad — the “&” was always our Symbol. It is the Perfect way to Honor my late husband as well as provide a Fun & Lively destination for Fabulous & Unique Home Decor, Furniture, Art, J&B Pet, J&B Baby, Gourmet Treats, Entertaining Pieces, & of course Gift Items @ every price point.
I’ve continued the weekly LIVE Show on Facebook, “LIVE–w/Brad” every Saturday Morning @ 9:00am eastern on the J&B Home Decor & Gifts Facebook Page.
The show is interactive where viewers can type in questions, say HI, talk to each other, it’s always full of surprises!!! The show represents much more then just J&B. We talk about Charities & how to get involved, we promote other local & independently owned businesses (even other shops that are similar to mine), & how to Enjoy Life–no matter what you are doing!!!
J&B Home Decor & Gifts is always changing & evolving. I want your experience while shopping to be Fun yet Relaxing. Dance Music is Playing, Lots of Laughing & Conversations, & on certain days the true Queen Miss Piper (my/our Australian Blue Heeler) may be here to Greet You @ the door.
Products & Displays are always changing so that each time you are shopping here @ J&B you have a Fresh & Special Shopping Experience!!!
Our mantra is:
–use the Good Dishes
–use the Good Glasses
–wear the Good Shoes
–Kindness is Free
&
–Celebrate Everything–!!!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
J&B Home Decor & Gifts is truly us Jonathan & Brad (J&B). J&B is all about community as well as being a Retail Store for Fantastic Home Decor & Gift Items.
We/now I am strongly involved in the support of the Elkhart County Humane Society & the Local Ronald McDonald House Charities.
After Jonathan’s passing in 2021 the Humane Society renamed their largest Charity Fundraiser to be the
“Jonathan Tuff Best-in-Show” which raises funds for their daily operation.
I/Brad came from Chicago & a Career in Entertainment. The retail world was a natural fit in that shopping should be Fun & Entertaining. I’m a talker—so conversations are a big part of your shopping experience here @ J&B Home Decor & Gifts!!!
I believe in supporting other locally owned & independent business as well as charities. We are all in this together & to support someone is always my #1 priority —oh–& to sell stuff too–!!! LOL
How did you build your audience on social media?
My presence on social media, Facebook & Instagram, is continually growing. Daily posts are key to keep your name, products, services, face, etc out there for the growing followers to see.
Two of my biggest successes are on Facebook–J&B Home Decor & Gifts–
1. ~~What’s NEW Wednesday~~???
Here I feature new arrivals, new products, or feature different items that are available here @ J&B Home Decor & Gifts.
2. is my weekly LIVE Show on Facebook
“LIVE–w/Brad” every Saturday morning @ 9:00am eastern on the J&B Home Decor & Gifts Facebook Page.
The hour long show is interactive–meaning that viewers can ask questions, say HI, talk to other viewers, & laugh–lots of laughing!!!
The Show receives on average 1,200 views per week. Some watch Live while some watch later on as the shows are saved on the J&B Facebook Page.
What makes to show fun is that I am just being myself. I Talk–a Lot–& many times loose my train of thought or the point of the story. The viewers wrangle me back in & we laugh about it!!!
We talk about Charities, other local businesses, what I did that week, & when I remember–I talk about all the Fabulous pieces that are here @ J&B Home Decor & Gifts!!!
My viewers are Local, Across the Country, as well as London & Spain. We all contribute to the Fun of the show!!!
So—my main advise to you if you are just starting out with either Photo Posts or going Live is—
Just Do It–start, make mistakes, learn for those mistakes, & be 100% YOU.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My journey, this shop, this story of J&B was supposed to be both of us–not just me. Many people ask how I had the emotional strength to open a New Store while grieving the loss of my Husband–my answer is always–I had no other choice then to open J&B Home Decor & Gifts.
It was a way to honor Jonathan & the life in this community that we built together.
The people, the shoppers, this community is why J&B is successful & thriving!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: JBdecorandgifts.com
- Instagram: jb_homedecorandgifts & misspipergirlofelkhart
- Facebook: J&B Home Decor & Gifts
Image Credits
Photo Credit; Nicole Cripe Style