Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mia Parris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
My family and I were looking for an escape from California about 10 years ago. We decided to search for a historic home in the South East. We landed on a lovely property in Newnan, Georgia. It’s a 40 acre plot of land with a beautiful Federal style historic home, built around 1840. The property is called The Grove. I designed it to have some vintage and some modern pieces. It, along with the other gorgeous homes around here, made me appreciate mixing the old with the new. When I decided to move to Newnan, Georgia full time in 2022, I hoped to open a store where I could carry an eclectic mix of upscale furnishings and decor. When that store came to fruition in late 2023, there was only one possible name, The Grove.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have a business degree from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley. In addition, I took some coursework from the Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach, California. I remodeled a number of properties for my family, before being asked by friends to work on their homes. It grew from there. I had always wanted a storefront, but the overhead costs are simply too high in the SF Bay Area, where I had been living until 2022. When I settled in Newnan, Georgia, I decided to move forward with the store. It is filled with upscale, furnishings, art, lighting and decor and is unique in this area. I felt there was a void to be filled in this town full of beautiful homes. While I do love beautiful pieces, I do have a strong sense of value and don’t wish to spend more money than necessary to get what I’m looking for. I bring this practical sense to my design clients. The first step in a project is usually redeploying their existing treasures to the best spot in their homes. I then fill in with carefully curated pieces to ensure maximum beauty at a reasonable price.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
My marriage ended just as I was about to become an empty nester. We had been together since high school, so it was an immense shock and devastating. In addition, we had planned to move across the country so we had sold our family home. I had to decide where to go and how to move forward with my life in a short period of time. It was an astoundingly difficult period in my life. I knew I had to stay functional for my children because they needed me to be the rock I had always been. Each day was a struggle, but I forced myself to make one decision at a time and continue to move forward and not let this define the rest of my life. Now I am safely settled in a lovely community with great friends, a lively social life, and a thriving business. I am able to be there when my children need me and, most importantly, I set an example for them that I am extremely proud of.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When my marriage ended, I had to face some very had truths. I had trusted without reservation only to be blindsided by lies and deception. I could become a bitter person and think everyone was out to get me. Instead, I realized that I could learn from the past and move forward with some wisdom I hadn’t had prior. I approach relationships a bit differently and with a little more reserve. I can no longer naively assume that everyone has good intentions. I am more focused on taking care of myself and my needs and appreciating the strength I feel now. I feel extremely lucky to have survived and feel so grateful that I’m on this side of it. I feel excited about the future and whatever it brings!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thegrovenewnan
