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

Melissa, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I really believe when one door closes, another opens. I was working at a contract textile and wall covering company in Minneapolis in 2008. The housing market had crashed and I ended up losing my job. I knew it wasn’t my ‘forever’ job, but still scary nonetheless. I couldn’t find work in my field ( I went to school for visual merchandising, interior design and architectural drafting), so I decided to move back to the area that I grew up. I had to take some jobs that I knew didn’t put me in the direction of design, but I needed a paycheck. I worked as a nanny for a while and decided it was time to try and start my own interior design business. I started meeting with a well known designer in the Rochester area, Glenn Miller, and he gave me some guidance. I took courses to be certified as a ‘green’ designer. So I started a business call EcoInteriors. It was really right on the cusp of the market crash, and before green design was popular. I wasn’t successful getting it off of its feet. I ended up landing a position at Mayo Clinic in the meantime. It was a part time position that allowed me to keep chasing my dream. I knew I loved history, I loved design and I loved all things interior. So I started painting and refinishing furniture out of my home. I started selling it online. This was around 2009. I sold so much that my garage was getting full and I thought about needing extra space. On a very thought out, but also a whim of a decision, I decided to start looking for a storefront. I found the perfect building, built in 1873, in chatfield Mn. I ended up purchasing the building, which took all of my savings for the down payment. My now husband and I rehabbed what we were able to get finished in about a months time, so I could open right away. It was a whirlwind of a time. I opened the shop nov 1, 2012. We bought our 1870 Victorian home we now live ih, that spring and rehabbed the entire house. Had my daughter in Nov of 2013, all the while STILL working 20-25 hours a week at mayo. I kept the security of that job until my business got off its feel, to make sure I still had income coming in. I was working over 80 hours a week and I had family helping at the shop. After 5 years with mayo, and about 3-1/2 years at my shop, I decided it was time I took the leap and just put all of my energy into Adourn. I resigned from mayo at that point. I still pinch myself and feel so extremely proud that I’m able to make a full time living doing something my soul absolutely craves, and that I love so much. I’ just celebrated my tenth year year open at my location, in November 2022. My business has evolved a tremendous amount since opening 10 years ago. And I think that is the number one reason I’m still here. Evolution.

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

I’ve always created. I started a jewelry business when I lived in mpls. That is where my now business name came from, Adourn. It transferred well to home interiors, so I kept it.

I went to school for visual merchandising first. Then decided to go on for interior design. I was really interested in architecture, so ended up going back to school for architectural drafting.

I’m self taught for the most part with my furniture business now. Trial and error. It’s been so amazing finding pieces, bringing the back to life and for them to find their forever homes. I love the history of the furniture so much, and often wonder the stories they could tell, the homes they were in and who made them. I specialize in antique and vintage furniture restoration.

I offer interior design services, custom furniture painting and refinishing and wholesale for the candle and home fragrance line i create. Which has been such a great addition to the shop. I started pouring candles about 5 years ago and it’s turned into a wonderful addition to my business. My brick and mortar is a combination of handmade, new home decor, accessories, furniture, pillows, and lighting.

I think I’m set apart because of my attention to detail. My custom service, and my love for my clients. I think my passion for what I do is shown in the pieces I design, the way I display things in my shop, the jewelry I design, the candles I pour… it all shows the details, which I believe are so important.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being able to do what I love, and own my own business is it fuels my soul. I now (after 8 years of growing my business ) have the flexibility to spend more time with my daughter and have flexibility to keep adding to my business.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I think this is true for almost all small businesses the last three years, surviving covid. It was the scariest and most anxiety driven moment of owning my business. Being told I had to close my doors for 3 months and then alter my business once I was able to reopen, was so frightening. I had never had time to really get my website the way I wanted it or to keep it updated, because being a small business owner, I was wearing ALL the hats. But as soon as I was shut down, I worked my butt off to get my things photographed, online and ready to sell. People showed up, big time. My clients and customers really supported me through that time and ever since. It kept my doors open, and showed me I’m able to adapt to things I never thought possible. It was an unexpected moment of growth and made me proud. It made me feel like I’ve made a good name for myself in my industry and people trust my work, and they supported during a very scary time for everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.shopadourn.com
• Instagram: @shopadourn
• Facebook: Adourn

Image Credits
I took all of the photos