We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenny Hagg a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jenny thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

In 2019, I found myself walking through divorce as a full-time working mom with two toddlers (2 and 3 years old). I knew I had to protect their routine and normalcy as best I could, so that was my sole focus. After they went to bed, I’d get lost on YouTube just to keep my mind busy. I watched endless videos of people doing “van-life” where they convert Sprinter Vans into full-blown studio apartments and travel the world. The YouTube rabbit hole led me from van-life videos, to van conversion videos, to woodworking videos, and ultimately home DIY projects.

For whatever reason, I was hooked. I’d spend hours watching DIY tutorials on how to build things even though I’d never touched a tool in my life. Finally, I got up the courage to try it. On Black Friday, I basically bought Home Depot’s entire ad and then it all sat in my garage for months because I was too intimidated to open it.

When I eventually worked up the courage to try my first project (a workbench for my garage), there was no turning back. My tools had real sawdust on them, put there by me! This was crazy. After that, I was constantly searching for my next project.

Along this journey, I came across people making wood signs for home decor. I’d already been using a Cricut for years, so now that I knew how to cut wood frames it just made sense to give it a try. The first sign I made was 4′ wide x 4′ tall to hang above my couch saying “it’s so good to be home”. My friend came over to help me hang it and while she was helping me, she asked if she could buy a sign for her house! We got to talking more, and she encouraged me to start selling these signs on Etsy. So I did.

Little did I know, the world was about to end. Literally. I just opened an Etsy Shop creating home decor in the summer of 2020 when COVID just caused a world shut-down and everyone is confined to their homes. Holy insanity.

I had no idea how that season would prepare me. That season taught me marketing, customer service, helped improve my skills as a new woodworker, led me to amazing community – it completely changed ME.

That entire time, I was still working full-time at my day job (as a Pharmacist) and mom’ing two tiny humans. But I’d finally found a hobby that was mine, for the first time in my life. I LOVED IT (and still do).

I went part-time at my day job in January of 2021. I was terrified, haha. But I wanted to see what it’d be like to spend more time with my kids and be more available for my small business. God was incredibly faithful. I never saw a change in my monthly income that entire year vs when I was working full-time corporate.

So I left my day job completely in November of 2021. Crazy? YES.

I was struggling to keep up with childcare for two babies while I worked full-time and often had to work overtime. All working mama’s out there are nodding their heads with me, I’m sure. I don’t have any family out here either so it’s all on my shoulders. I took a giant leap of Faith and God’s met me there in ways I can’t even explain.

My business has expanded beyond belief: I still run my Etsy Shop, I have a blog where I post DIY tutorials for home projects and link full YouTube tutorials with each blog post, and I started a second event rentals company where we create custom props for events like weddings, birthdays, bachelorette parties, etc.

2 years later, I’m still in complete and total awe at God’s faithfulness and the power of Youtube, haha.

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

My name is Jenny. I’m a 34 year old mama to two wild toddlers, Amelia and Hendrix.

I am a full-time entrepreneur running a woodworking business called Noble Dizzigns.

I am purely self-taught by YouTube and flying by the seat of my pants.

My business called Noble Dizzigns is primarily focused on home DIY projects and providing tutorials for each project so anyone can tackle them.

My second business called Noble Dizzigns Rentals is focused on event rentals, such as champagne walls, treat carts, custom backdrops, signage, etc for weddings and parties.

The main problem I feel I solve for my clients is reliability. I was shocked when I first started this business how many horror stories I’d hear about companies either never responding, never following through, or just delivering something completely off target. I personally value clear and honest communication, even in hard situations, so I just make sure to deliver that to every single client consistently.

I honestly don’t think I have anything that necessarily sets me apart from my competitors. I have a “there’s room for all of us” mentality. We all respect each other, respect each other’s craft, respect each other’s dedication, energy, and time. I feel like God has a path carved out for each and every one of us.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I work very closely with an incredible friend named Nycole. I call her Nycolita. As fate would have it, she’s my across-the-street neighbor. Anytime I had a large build and needed help lifting it into my truck to deliver to a client, I could always call Nycole for help.

One day, I started thinking “I’m going to start an event rentals business”. I played out what that would look like in my mind. I assumed I’ll eventually need help delivering/installing props when I get busy. So out of the blue, I text Nycole while she was grocery shopping, and said “I have a weird and crazy question…” Then proceeded to send 87 voice memos explaining this event life, and what rentals are, and what I might need help with, and would she possibly ever be interested in helping sometimes.

I could not describe to you how amazing her response was. She was SO receptive, encouraging, and supportive – and has been ever since. She’s been my “right hand” in this event rentals business. She’s helped me with my larger builds, she comes to every install/strike (pick-up), she watches my kids for me when it’s a late night pick-up, she brings us snacks so we don’t die, lol.

She’s authentically the best person I could ever choose to do business with and also get to do life with. She has an 8 year old son, Colton, who is the sweetest boy to my two kiddos. They all get to play while we work or catch up on life. It’s literally the best and I look forward to seeing how God blesses her life for her being such a blessing to ours.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A solid lesson I learned the hard way was the power of no. I am very much a “yes man”.

In the beginning (and still sometimes today), when I get asked “can you build this?” *insert picture* – I used to answer that question honestly. I’d evaluate if I could, and if I didn’t know how, I’d evaluate a different method of how I knew I could.

I would answer the question “CAN YOU build this”… when I should be answering the question “WILL YOU build this..”.

Just because a client is requesting something that you absolutely CAN do, does not always mean you should do it.

If your plate is overloaded, if it does not financially make sense for you, if it will cause more hardship then gain – please take a few extra minutes to re-evaluate your answer.

I’ve found people are very receptive! I’ve honestly never had someone get upset with a no.

I’ve also learned how to respectfully decline inquiries – either with an alternative solution, another vendor recommendation, or just a simple apology for not being able to assist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nobledizzignsrentals.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nobledizzigns/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw2qtqMYB1mkARiLyfDZZ6A
• Other: Rentals IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobledizzignsrentals/ Blog: https://nobledizzigns.com Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/nobledizzigns

Image Credits
I own the rights to all photos provided