Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara O’Reilly.
Sara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I fell in love with refurbishing furniture about 3 years ago. I started with doing pieces I had of my own, then it grew where I was grabbing pieces of furniture that was put out on the side of the road, to buying from online yard sales, and refurbishing them. I could not get enough. Quickly my basement became filled with furniture to redo. Then my friends saw what I was doing from posting online and wanted me to do pieces for them. Then their friends saw and had me do work for them, and from there it kept growing. I then started making custom signs for people, made from pallets I would find on the side of the road. That really grew and to this day is my biggest business. I love doing antique shows, and selling through online social media. Currently working and building my website to make ordering easier and to publish a blog. My dream came true a month ago, when I found my tiny camper that I am going to be refurbishing into my mobile store! So super excited to have that complete by the end of this summer. I left my job with the state after 10 years, about a year ago. I was not happy at all with what I was doing and got a job as an interior designer, my true passion. I am planning on this time next year to add interior design/decorating services to SunnySide Upcycled! I see my business being so mobile that I can come to your house with my mobile store, and we can go over design ideas in there, so you don’t have to leave your house! My other passion is yoga. I recently became certified to teach, and plan to make that a mobile business as well. Bringing yoga to you as private lessons, also offering outdoor yoga along with outdoor activities like hiking or kayaking. I am very excited to be able to work mobile, and to be able to travel all at the same time.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road and still has a lot of obstacles I am dealing with. I have the dream and the vision, however have to pay the bills at the same time, so working full time sometimes can take away from all the work I want to do with my business. Also after recently moving I am currently looking for a workspace to be able to work on all the projects and orders I have.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about SunnySide Upcycled – what should we know?
All pieces are derived from a passion of taking something ordinary and turning it into extraordinary. Affordable prices is my goal and can accomplish this by using reclaimed wood and used furniture. My pieces are known as custom and each one very unique, as I hand letter and draw the signs, not just a stencil cookie cutter like most others are. That is what makes me so proud. That is what sets my business apart from others. My style is mainly rustic, farmhouse, with a little boho twist. My core value is my focus and devotion to each and every customer. I pride myself in delivering high quality, customized and unique pieces of decor that will stand out from the rest and make my customers proud to have on display.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe the best characteristic to have is being a small local business. This allows me to focus on my customers and have they come back again for more orders, what is most important to my success.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 781-258-0052
- Email: sunnyside.upcycled@gmail.com
- Instagram: sunnyside_upcycled
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/sunnside.upcycled/
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