We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maria Williams. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maria below.
Maria, appreciate you joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of being an entrepreneur or creative is the kind of crazy stuff that happens from time to time. It could be anything from a disgruntled client attacking an employee or waking up to find out a celebrity gave you a shoutout on TikTok – the sudden, unexpected hits (both positive and negative) make the profession both exhilarating and exhausting. Can you share one of your craziest stories?
Its always great to challenge yourself, but scary, especially building and designing one of the biggest pieces of furniture you’ve ever built. Not to mention the end reveal, praying that your client loves it. Though in this case our client didn’t even get to see it.
After days and hours of building the biggest piece of our career at the time, the day of delivery our client pulled out of wanting the piece anymore. With no explanation, we had a custom built 10ft high by 10ft wide entry way nook with cabinets, slow close drawers with an over head bridge for extract storage stuck in our patio. At the time, we built all of our furniture pieces in our backyard since our home didn’t have a garage. So to make matters worse we had no place to store it. Our first thought was to try and resell, but it was quit difficult since this was a custom built piece. Our second thought was weather conditions, worried about completely losing out of the entire build of this piece. And our last though was to dismantle the entire piece and try and re use the material for other projects. We felt bad taking it apart so we decided to sell it. After 8 months of projecting the piece through outdoor conditions moving from storage and one home to another the piece finally sold to a friend of ours.
This piece single handedly created our deposit policy, and taught us how downfalls can be used as a learning experience for future wins.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
We are a husband and wife duo (Richard and Maria Williams). We specialize in modern farmhouse furniture and home décor, known for our custom dining room tables, media consoles, barndoors, custom interior signage, etc. Now we’ve entered a new realm of custom engraving, expanding our reach to personalized engraved cutting boards, charcuterie boards, personalized gifts, signs and much more. Including business and logo engraving.
Our business started when we purchased our first home. Once you buy your home it brings the upkeep and having to fill it. At the time our family of 4 was moving from a 1 bedroom to a 3/2 house. We love the furniture and home decor from Pottery Barn and West Elm furniture. Though at the time we were not able to afford it. So, still needing the furniture, we decided to build it. One piece turned to two, as family and friends gathered at our home, two then quickly reached over 100s. With that growth we were able to showcase our furniture and home decor in the same storefront that we have always loved of West Elm. Now, currently our business has begun a new chapter, as we left the area of South Florida and moved to Winter Haven FL. Seeking a better wholesome life for our family of 5, in preparation to opening a storefront in this town that we have already grown to love.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Currently our business has pivoted into laser engraving, due to business need for it and the support of our local businesses. With future plans to bring it all together with Furniture, Home Decor and Interior design.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of our clients has been being true to ourselves. We have a natural giving heart that aligns with God and solely believes in helping and loving others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MySweetScentofHome.com
- Instagram: @MySweetScentofHome
- Facebook: @MySweetScentofHome
Image Credits
Photos by Rachel Tilson Instagram @Racheltilsonphotography