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

Kristy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Our resources are not infinite and we need to preserve this place we call home for the next generations. After all, we are just stewards of this place we call home. In a world that has become mass produced with cheaply made items that won’t stand the test of time, I want to be able to provide people with better options. Options that will help preserve the planet by reusing and upcycling existing furniture and decor items to fit modern lifestyles. This helps to reduce waste in our landfills each year and the need to harvest new resources.
Many of the pieces of furniture saved are constructed of wood and very well made. A stark contrast to what is produced today in the world of furniture which is typically made of pressed particle board. How is particle board made? Typically it’s wood fibers that are glued together which can be quite a toxic process. Then think about it, you bring these pieces into your home where those toxins can off gas into your home. Who wants that? Our home should be our sanctuary and a place as unique as we are.

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.

Ever since I can remember I loved to create, I would make gifts for family and friends for various occasions. Being a creative is embedded in my soul. I love having the ability to see the potential in things many deem as trash. There is excitement in seeing your ideas come to life on whatever canvas you’re working on.
I decided to turn my passion into a business in 2019 after leaving a job that was no longer meeting my needs. I had a great support system and a wonderful new creative community to help guide me on this new journey.
It’s been a lot of long hours, hard work, trials and error. Every aspect has been so worth it. I have met so many wonderful people along the way; creatives, customers, and clients. One of my greatest joys is seeing the reaction my clients have when they see their vision come to fruition, when they can keep a family heirloom but bring it into a modern lifestyle. For me, it’s preserving pieces of history that tell a story of their past. If only these pieces could talk, oh the stories they would tell.
For my customers it’s being able to offer them creative one of a kind pieces no one else will have so they can create spaces they love without breaking the bank. Life should be lived in color, like full color, vibrant, and lush.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

Currently I just sell on Etsy and, on occasion on Marketplace. Selling on Etsy has various pros and cons. On the pro side it’s free and easy to set up your store front, low listing fee, and Etsy keeps track of your sales as well as paying out of state taxes. It’s also a popular site with endless traffic. The cons side: Etsy’s ever increasing fees, difficulty getting help when needed, you don’t own your shop and Etsy can shut your shop down without explanation. It can also be difficult to be found on the site so knowing SEO is key as to where your shop lands within a search.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Very early into my business I joined a private creative group on social media. Through the group I was able to pick the brains of other creatives doing the same things I was. They were a great resource of information, being able to bounce ideas off of others was so helpful, and they were incredibly supportive. Many of them had similar experiences and knew exactly how to proceed. Being in that group gave me the confidence to keep going. Now I enjoy sharing the knowledge I have gained with others to help make their journey go smoothly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Etsy.com/shop/DecorByBlueOrchid
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/blueorchidfurnitureanddecor
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/blueorchidfurnitureanddecor

Image Credits

Kristy Flynn of Blue Orchid furniture and Decor