We recently connected with Devon Salisbury and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Devon, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I am a mom of two school-aged kids. I have always been a creative type of all kinds, writing, photography, design, but am also very detailed minded, so I always thought I would have a regular 9-5 office job of some type. I have had that in the past, but after having kids I was able to stay home with them and use my creative side to build an Etsy business. It was so nice to use my brain, but also make my own hours and decisions and even build a very consistent customer base while staying home with my young kids. Now, my kids are both in elementary school and I have a lot more time in the day to devote to other creative avenues. I still operate my Etsy shop, where I hand make all kinds of custom wood signs and shelves, but have also learned a lot more about refurnishing old furniture to give it new life and creating unique accent walls or spaces in homes to give it a whole new feeling as well. Because these things are so custom and diverse, they keep me busy but can also make me feel a bit aimless at times. I wonder what having a “regular” office job would feel like again since I have more time in the day with my kids in school. Being able to go somewhere everyday that has different challenges, but a more consistent environment. When I do think about that, however, I know I would miss the freedom and fun of facing new creative challenges all the time and getting to learn so much about myself and making someone’s home uniquely perfect for them in whatever way they’re looking for.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a creative. I absolutely love making things with my hands that came from my or a customer’s head. I have an Etsy shop that sells custom home signs of all kinds or for any occasion. Knowing I have made special treasures for so many people’s homes, babies, weddings or gifts brings me so much joy. I am always open to making anything custom someone has seen or comes up with that fits their style best. I love making someone’s home even more unique to them because I have lived in so many different places myself. I now restore and refurbish local second hand furniture to give it a new life that perfectly suits someone else’s needs or style. I also have a lot of experience transforming my own home wall by wall to make it feel the most like home to my family and am now branching out locally to do the same in other homes. I focus on unique accent walls that can be made with paint, murals, wood trim, shiplap, brick panels, bead board, you name it! I love transforming a whole room by making a completely custom statement wall that makes someone love their home even more. I am basically a one stop shop for home decor, whether you’re looking for a handmade sign or shelf, a completely unique piece of furniture or to add something specific and fun to your home you just don’t know how to do, I am here for you!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Communication has been so important and helpful for my Etsy shop. Because I do a lot of custom work I like to inform people of my process throughout making their sign. I send pencil sketches when I need to confirm something first and photos when it’s painted so there’s still time for people to add or change anything if I didn’t understand their vision right. Customers love feeling involved, knowing I care about their specific piece and learning when it’s finished just right for them. A lot of times I hear back about how wonderful their sign is and get a lot of awesome reviews on how much they appreciated the communication.

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

Knowing I made something come alive for someone else is the most rewarding part of creating! A lot of people can see a picture or think of something they would love to see in real life, but can’t figure out how to execute it. Knowing I can make that happen for people in whatever way they’re looking for is so fun and special. I put myself into the things I make, but making something so specific and unique for someone else is the best part for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SalisburyDesignsShop
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salisbury_designs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salisburydesigns
• Other: Email: [email protected]