Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Henderson.
Hi Colleen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Once upon a time, 3 teachers with a love for painting furniture and a passion for creativity had a dream and Once Upon a Room was born. We opened in June of 2020 and what started as a small boutique filled with hand-painted furniture and unique treasures from local vendors has grown into something beyond what we ever imagined! Our team has grown from 3 to 9 and many more furniture painters and local artisans. Our Palmetto location has expanded to over 3,100 square feet of beautifully painted furniture, home decor, unique gifts and one-of-a-kind finds. We are proud to showcase the talents of local artisans and small businesses who make our boutique so special.
But our story didn’t stop there!
We opened our second location in Ellenton, bringing together even more amazing local vendors offering beautiful jewelry, vintage treasures, clothing, handmade creations and so much more!
We are also a proud Exclusive Retailor of Farmhouse Paint, helping our customers transform their furniture and bring new life to the pieces they already have. We believe that a home should reflect your personality, hold your memories, and tell your story. Whether you are searching for that perfect piece of furniture, a gift, or a little inspiration, we hope you will find something special every time you visit!
Alright, 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?
Like many other small businesses, we’ve faced our share of challenges. Working with local artisans and small business owners is something we truly love. Sometimes that means having difficult conversations and helping someone understand that while their creations may be beautiful, they might not be the right fit for our customers.
Those conversations are never easy because we know how much time, effort, and love goes into creating something.
The most rewarding part of this journey has been mentoring our vendors, sharing what we have learned, encouraging their creativity, and watching their business grow!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My passion is painting furniture, decorating and creating beautiful, inviting spaces throughout our boutiques. I love taking an ordinary piece of furniture and transforming it into something special.
When customers walk through our doors, we want them to feel like they are visiting friends, not just visiting a store. Over the years, so many of our customers have become people we know by name, share stories with, and now are our friends.
We are not a big-box store, and we never want to feel like one. We want every person who visits Once Upon a Room to feel welcomed, appreciated and inspired.
My favorite part is bringing everything together and creating a shopping experience that feels welcoming for our customers.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I would love to see our boutiques become even more of a destination for people looking for unique furniture, beautiful home decor, and one-of-a-kind gifts. And hopefully, by then, my husband and I won’t have to move quite so much furniture ourselves!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/Onceuponaroomfl
- Facebook: facebook.com/Onceuponaroomfl
