Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Magnani.
Kevin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Regionally Rustic was established in 2015 by accident actually. I am a full time high school Economics teacher who was going through a divorce in 2014. In 2015, I got my house back in the final divorce agreement, but it had no furniture. I was broke and living in an empty house so I decided to make myself a coffee table and a headboard out of repurposed pallet wood I had lying around. Friends that visited me kept asking where I got the rustic coffee table and headboard. I told them I built them and they asked if I could build them one as well…so I did. I then was encouraged to put them on local Facebook web sales. I was skeptical that anyone would be interested, but I advertised. Within two weeks I had a three month waiting list for orders for rustic headboards! (Which still today is my most popular selling item). Being an Economics teacher I saw a strong opportunity to create a side business, so I developed a business name Regionally Rustic and a website (www.regionallyrustic.com) and began to make local connections and advertise on social media. Word-of-mouth is still my best advertising today!
In 2017 sales grew to a level I officially applied for a sole proprietor business license. I expanded my online catalog to over 45 different items and added custom restoration services as well. I can custom make virtually any new rustic woodworking idea sent to me as well. I now have customers as far as Rhode Island and Maine, but the bulk of my business is here in Massachusetts. I pride myself on personalized service, knowing my customers, staying humble and offering hands-on craftsmanship. I partnered with other small businesses in my community to support local business.
Has it been a smooth road?
Like any start-up business, the road has some bumps along the way. My biggest struggle was keeping up with demand as a one-man side business, as I continue to work a full time job as a teacher as well as coach ice hockey in the winter and being a single Dad to my 15 year old son. Balancing my time can be challenging but I find woodworking a labor of love.
Also, once I decided to expand the business product line and advertise, I needed to upgrade my workshop, tools and storage space. That came with a lot of upfront costs, but was well-worth the initial investment. I transformed my entire downstairs into a modern woodworking workshop and rented a barn in town for storage space. Both have paid off greatly as I can work more efficiently and keep more inventory in stock.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Regionally Rustic story. Tell us more about the business.
Regionally Rustic offers custom-made, repurposed rustic furniture and decor. Currently we offer both indoor and outdoor products in virtually every home category. From headboards and bed sets to outdoor rustic coolers, if you can imagine it we can build it.
The most popular selling item by far is our headboard and footboards. We offer five styles in every size and color, and they can even come equipped with reading lights. Coffee tables, end table, kitchen islands and barn doors are quickly becoming top sellers as well. This August, Regionally Rustic will be adding rustic barn board farm tables to the catalog as well! All items can be seen online at www.regionallyrustic.com as well as Facebook by searching Regionally Rustic.
What I am most proud of is that this company represents special meaning to me personally. In 2014 I was at probably my lowest point in my life personally – divorced, broke, depressed and just turning 40 years old. This company changed my life in so many ways. It is truly symbolic of the American Dream! It represents hard work, success, self-determination and pride. It also serves as a therapeutic activity for me as I truly enjoy woodworking!
What sets Regionally Rustic apart from most other businesses is that I pride myself on staying small enough to care personally about each hand-crafted piece I make and every customer I serve. You certainly can get furnishings from a box store or chain, but my products are personalized, conversation pieces that are affordable, durable and unique. Also, you would be hard-pressed to find better customer service as I stand by every product and will respond swiftly to any concerns or issues.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
To me, although rustic-style decor tends to be a geographically popular style in the North, I believe it will be here to stay for a long while. There are interested customers that live the full rustic life style in the remote areas of the state, but also those in the cities that want a little rustic accent to their home or summer place. I believe farm tables will be very popular as wood-based decor still seems to be in big demand. As with any business model, Regionally Rustic will figure out how to adapt with the market as the trends shift in the future.
Pricing:
- Rustic Headboards…start at $200
- Barn doors ……$250
- Coffee tables…..start at $180
- SEPTEMBER HEADBOARD / BED SALE 9/1 – 9/30 ….All Headboards and Bed sets 10% off
Contact Info:
- Address: Rutland, MA 01543
- Website: www.RegionallyRustic.com
- Phone: 508-797-2585
- Email: RegionallyRustic@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regionallyrustic/
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