We were lucky to catch up with Michael Wiggins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Four years ago, I saved enough money to purchase and build my first home. As a single mom, this was a major goal that I accomplished. I waited one year to decorate my home. I decided on the rustic farmhouse theme because I had two young boys. I figured any damage they caused would enhance the rustic vibe. When it was time to decorate, I couldn’t find what I was looking for, and the items that came close were expensive and not made of quality materials. I began to think, if I found a design I liked, I could custom-build it the way I wanted. I watched videos on youtube of amazing women building wall units, furniture, and home decor. I learned about power tools and quality wood. I built a six-foot 3D porch leaner for my home using wood letters from the craft store and a wood slat. I got really ambitious and built a wall of oversized, ten-inch, 3D Scrabble tiles for my home. I still use images of the tiles for marketing today. The compliments on my wall tiles were the push to keep going. I wanted to make large farmhouse shutters for my wall. My boyfriend gifted me my first circular saw for Christmas. I made a three-piece wall set that completed my living room. I discovered a love for building wood decor. My friends and family would come over and compliment my new shutters and ask where I purchased them. I was so tickled and proud to tell them I made it myself. I wanted to sell my work, but I wasn’t confident. I was in the hospital with double COVID pneumonia when I decided Four years ago, I saved enough money to purchase and build my first home. As a single mom, this was a major goal that I accomplished. I waited one year to decorate my home. I decided on the rustic farmhouse theme because I had two young boys. I figured any damage they caused would enhance the rustic vibe. When it was time to decorate, I couldn’t find what I was looking for, and the items that came close were expensive and not made of quality materials. I began to think, if I found a design I liked, I could custom-build it the way I wanted. I watched videos on youtube of amazing women building wall units, furniture, and home decor. I learned about power tools and quality wood. I built a six-foot 3D porch leaner for my home using wood letters from the craft store and a wood slat. I got really ambitious and built a wall of oversized, ten-inch, 3D Scrabble tiles for my home. I still use images of the tiles for marketing today. The compliments on my wall tiles were the push to keep going. I wanted to make large farmhouse shutters for my wall. My boyfriend gifted me my first circular saw for Christmas. I made a three-piece wall set that completed my living room. I discovered a love for building wood decor. My friends and family would come over and compliment my new shutters and ask where I purchased them. I was so tickled and proud to tell them I made it myself. I wanted to sell my work, but I wasn’t confident. I was in the hospital with double COVID pneumonia when I decided to take the leap of faith. I use the words leap of faith because I am a woman of faith. I believe God has power over all things in my life. Sometimes, we need a rude awakening, powerful enough to wake us up. After being unable to breathe lying in the hospital on a ventilator, I promised myself I would work to achieve my goal of being a business owner. Life is short. As long as I was here, I would live each day as if it were my last. After being released from the hospital, I went straight to work. I turned my kitchen into my workshop and started selling home decor from my driveway to my neighbors. I opened a Facebook page and started my LLC, Michael Nicole’s Decor, LLC, d.b.a. Michael Nicole’s Farmhouse Decor. I was still working full-time while starting a business on the side. I began posting my work on social media and continued watching videos on designing. I wanted my work to be different and stand out. I wanted everything to be 3D layered wood designs. After selling a piece or two a week, I invested in a Glowforge pro. I started teaching myself how to create custom designs. It really changed the game for my business and opened doors for creativity. I knew that there were people like me out in the world. People who love home decor; and want to create a space that looks exactly how they envision it, not like anything they could find in a store.

Michael, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Absolutely! My name is Michael. I’m a mom and owner of Michael Nicole’s Decor, LLC. I make custom wood decor for homes and businesses signs. My love and passion for building custom home decor was discovered while decorating my new home. I found inspiration by watching videos and reading blogs of other women in the home decor business. My vision is to create custom pieces that stand out, not just because of the beautiful design or the layered wood, but because it is truly unique, made with love, and quality materials. I contemplated what image was best for my brand. It was important for people to feel love for my work and see the quality of my products. It is incredible to have decor custom designed and shipped directly to your door. I want more for my customers. I want them to have an experience. Customer Service is number one to me, from the initial conversation to the delivery of their order. The entire process should be an experience. I treat my customers like they are family. I love them. There are customers I talk to almost every day, we paint and have fun during virtual paint-and-sip parties, and I enjoy connecting with customers from different states. It is more of a community and a family. I care so much about this business and the incredible supporters who purchase my products. I have met some amazing and beautiful people that I am blessed to have in my life. I use my business to give back to my community. I meet people from all walks of life, and I use proceeds from sales to make gift baskets, to give to those in need of a blessing. When I started this business, I made a promise to God. I promised that I would never forget how he has blessed me. I try to be a blessing to every sweet soul I meet. I am proud of my growth. Being a small business owner and single mom is an extremely humbling experience. There were many times when sales were slow and I had to get out and drive Uber and Lyft to supplement my income, manage the home and kids, and work pending orders. I remember so many nights crying while the kids were sleeping, asking God to get me through. Every step in building this business has been a test of my faith. I did not use those hard days as an excuse to quit but as an opportunity to grow and lean more on God. I am so grateful I did!

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

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

I worked as an administrative assistant for an amazing boss, when I started my business. My father is no longer here, and my boss, Robert, was almost like a stand-in dad. I truly loved him. He took an interest in my life and my family. He supported my dream and goal of starting this business, and when the orders picked up to the point where I had to make the call, he was one of my biggest supporters. I prayed long and hard on the decision to quit. I was leaving my full-time job with health coverage, 401K, and financial security as a single mom to risk it all on my dream of running this business. Even when I knew it was time, I was hesitant. What if I fail? What if I cannot provide for my kids? I prayed more, but this is where faith comes into play for me. When you ask God for something, and He answers, what are you waiting for? Fear can stop us from accomplishing so much. Trusting and believing that God will carry you through to the end is what faith is. I finally stepped out of faith and started my business. There were obstacles, challenges, and hurdles, but GOD! For me, the largest milestone was actually taking the step to quit my job. I had to come to the realization that nothing changes until I make moves. Big moves are scary, and no, the journey is not easy, but so worth it. Having a support system really made a difference. My mom, boyfriend, sister, and nieces stepped up and helped me. From helping me with the kids, around my house, making orders, attending events, whatever I needed. You need a support system. God had aligned everything for me. I just had to step out on faith. Marketing was my biggest challenge. It is very expensive to market your business. It is difficult if you are tight with funds. You must get creative. I quickly learned business cards get tossed out. Creating stylish business materials, like wood-engraved magnets for people to place on their refrigerators, was functional and attractive! I began passing out custom magnets, with my QR code engraved, to my riders when I drove Uber and Lyft. I would keep them in my car and with me when running errands and hand them out to people I meet. As customers found me, I invested back into them. I would do giveaways, and virtual paint-and-sip parties where we can engage and interact. They are so loyal! They share my posts, refer new customers, and I keep giving back. I give credit for referrals, share my life with them, and create genuine bonds. The key to growing a business is valuing those that support you, especially your customers. Treat them like gold, and they will show you love right back!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michaelnicolesfarmhousedecor.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelnicolesfarmhousedecor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelsfarmhousedecor/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaelnicolesdecor