Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Johnston.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michelle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have been painting all of my life. At 53 years old, I decided to let the fear go and actually make it a business. I spoke with my two daughters Heather and Kelly and they thought the best way was to start a business page on Facebook. We set it up and displayed my work. My piece sold that night. I offered the service of custom painting your kitchen cabinets with a paint that was around 25 years in Europe and now being sold in America. That day I had an appointment explained my process and got the job. I posted the kitchen and the calls came in. Woman wanted a brighter kitchen without the hassle of a totally new kitchen. I was growing faster than expected.
I wanted someone who was an artist and someone I could trust. I called my sister Linda who had the expertise and knowledge to help with my business. Linda was always my mentor and together we would build our team. Woman loved having their new kitchen in only 3 days. The cabinets were custom finished, they could use their kitchen every night. We called our sister Tammy and said you are the best person at organizing and cleaning we know and we want you to join us and prep our client’s kitchens. Our clients loved the fact that we understood how important it was for their busy families to come home, not even know we were there during the day and could still enjoy their dinner without any disruptions. I made up every color door and explained the process.
Clients didn’t need to leave their homes to go to a brick and mortar shop as I went to their home with our samples. Business continued to grow and I wanted someone who loved to paint and who would care as much as we did. My daughter Kelly left her career and came with us. We believed in the product, we love what we do and the savings of custom finishing your cabinets vs. replacing them was a huge savings. Together we stood by each other and our clients and knew that the kitchen was the heart of every home. I really wanted to make it possible for everyone to have the kitchen of their dreams without a huge cost and without a huge mess of new construction.
I also wanted our clients to know that while they weren’t home their house was in safe hands and that we respected their space. We were growing. I really wanted a talented but hardworking woman who had the vision. We found them right in our own family. My cousins Deb and Joanna started with us and we became the team. Starting a business at 53 years old and following your dream was scary and yet so very exciting and extremely rewarding.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
You have to put your heart and soul into every job. You need to really believe in yourself and your service. If you put together the right team everything is possible. I knew I had my family with me and they each took this company and their roles seriously. We hit bumps like every company but I always “chalked” it up to growing pains.
Please tell us about Designs by Michelle.
Designs by Michelle specializes in custom painted cabinetry and furniture. What makes us unique is I use Annie Sloan chalk paint. It has been around for 25 years. You can only purchase it from a certain local stockist. I researched this paint, tried it, believed in it and was promoting my service with this paint. I found my stockist, Paint Rust and Pixie Dust in Easton. We became fast friends and they knew what I needed and are very knowledgeable about the product.
Chalk paint is different and I have a system for custom finishing that works. I wanted something that would last and not just be a quick fix. I never want someone to say oh you painted your cabinets? I want them to say WOW when did you get a new kitchen. My proudest moments in this business was when my daughter, who had her degree and a beautiful career believed in me and the product enough to leave that all behind and trust in me. My next proud moment came when Annie Sloan America displayed my work on her page.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have started a business earlier in my life. I have painted forever, but I let fear step in my way early on. It was only when I was diagnosed with Lyme Meningitis and was hospitalized thinking I was dying, did I finally realize what am I doing with my life. Why am I letting fear get in my way?
I guess when you are faced with “what if I die” did I do everything I wanted?. I realized at 53 my life had just begun. It has been 4 years since I officially opened a company and put my name out there. It was one of the best decisions of my life. I am proud of what I do, the family that I work with and the product that we offer. I guess I would want people to know that if you have a dream, don’t let it die inside of you. Share it.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 857-939-4581
- Email: Designsbymichelleinteriors@gmail.com
- Instagram: Designsbymichelleinteriors
- Facebook: DesignsbyMichelle
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