Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Pridgen.
Hi Nikki, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In the heart of downtown Spring Hope NC, I have turned my passion for creativity into a thriving small business, my 2nd home away from home, Pridgensfarmhouse. What began as a love for DIY projects at home has blossomed into a charming store filled with handpicked goods, custom creations, custom refurbished designed furniture, and a welcoming community spirit. I am honored to share my journey on how building & creating for fun, turned into my own business, and the inspiration behind my designs. Being a small-town entrepreneur has its joys and challenges for sure.
“What inspired me to get started?”
Everyone has a dream right? Owning my own business has been a DREAM of mine for a very long time. I was raised and taught the entrepreneurial lifestyle at a very young age by my grandma- who ran her own craft business for over 20+ years. I spent most of my childhood years in my grandma’s craft shop. She made & sold grapevine wreaths, did weddings for people, tied bows for customers who wanted or needed, and she even painted & stained wooden furniture pieces that she bought from a local woodworker to resell in her craft shop. That is where the magic and inspiration began I think, the moment my grandma gave me a paint brush and taught me how to paint/stain furniture. Just seeing how paint could change the entire look of something set my creative heart on fire!
I have always had an “eye” for finding a purpose in things people might would throw away or would not want anymore due to its outdated exterior. I just see potential in everything! If it doesn’t serve a purpose as it is, change it so it will!
So fast forward into my teenage years, I was always crafting and doing DIY projects of my own. From teaching myself as I go how to use different types of power tools, to familiarizing myself and getting comfortable with using them. I even remodeled my first home in my early 20’s. My Daddy and my husband are also an inspiration for my business. I have the building gene in me from my daddy and my husband loves to help me build my designs that I sketch out. It’s the process of building something from a sketch, and giving new life to something old and forgotten that is so satisfying to me!
A super proud moment of mine was sketching out the designs of my sign above my business. I carefully drew it out with measurements and sourced all the materials and began building it. It was the “final” touch to my business in my eyes. I briefly reviewed my materials and plans with my daddy and like we have done in the past when I was young, we would build things together and at the end we would both sign our names, showing proof and marking our proud work of art! After building it, I painted/stained it and had a local business in the area put it up for me! Being in a small town community that I am in, everyone that day either stopped to watch the process of it being installed or either honked their horns with approval and gave me a thumbs up! The amount of support was truly humbling and heart warming.
Not only do I refurbish design furniture, but I also do interior design for clients. My background in interior design, I would say I am self taught when it comes to interior design. I have always had an eye for design, colors, and a love for staging rooms and creating cozy, comfortable spaces. That’s where refurbishing furniture comes in and brings the entire process together. My design process usually starts with a consultation, I like to meet with clients, and get to know them and their goals for the space. Once I understand what they’re looking for, I work on a concept by creating a mood board with images, colors, and materials that reflect the client’s vision. I then develop the vision board, and start picking out furniture, fixtures, and finishes. Throughout the process, I work closely with clients to get their feedback and make sure they’re happy with the direction of the design. I have worked with so many clients throughout the years creating comfortable, functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing rooms, whether it be a remodel project or even a new home build. I joke that one day maybe HGTV will want to make a show with me!
I will say I am more drawn to the Modern Farmhouse style. If I could describe that for you- it would be harnessing country elements with a contemporary spin, clean lines, neutral color palettes, layered textures, and natural materials to create a timeless look bursting with character, although I do think it’s important to mix different styles to create a space that’s interesting and reflects your personality/taste.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being in business for yourself has it perks but, as thrilling as it is to be your own boss, let’s not sugarcoat it – being a business owner also comes with its fair share of challenges. One being Financial Uncertainty: cash flow can feel like a rollercoaster ride, with peaks and valleys that keep you on edge. Secondly, wearing many hats: As a small business owner, you’re the CEO, accountant, marketer, creator, customer service rep – you name it! One of my biggest challenges struggle personally is balancing work demands while maintaining a personal life at home. It can feel like a never-ending juggling act. I have learned to set boundaries, schedule regular breaks, and prioritize self-care to prevent burnout. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup! Lastly, being a small business and competing for top talent with the larger box store companies can be challenging. I believe though that one of the most effective ways being a small business entrepreneur can stand out is through deep personalization and local knowledge. Unlike your large chains, I have the ability to know my customers individually, understand their needs, and offer tailored recommendations that big box stores simply can’t replicate.
Remember, the path to success may not always be smooth, but with perseverance and dedication, you can achieve your entrepreneurial dreams.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What made me choose Spring Hope for my storefront?
Spring Hope is my HOME. I grew up just outside of Spring Hope, and I’ve always loved shopping for thrifted pieces in the downtown Spring Hope shops. It’s where I started years ago honestly, with a little vendor booth selling my refurbished furniture. I worked a part time job while going to a community college, and my furniture booth gave me some extra spending money to do my projects. The storefront I had my furniture booth in, was the building that joins walls with what is NOW my business! Pridgensfarmhouse is now on the other side of the wall from where I first started out as a booth vendor.
Everyday, when I walk through my front doors of my shop, I’m reminded of where I started. My business is my whole heart, and I have such pride in it. My business is so much more than a building, it’s a labor of love, and everything I have in me is put into it!
I have just recently gave the exterior of business a facelift with paint and truly showcasing my style and passion for what I do. I am grateful to be able to provide a designer furniture store, home decor, gift shop, and interior design services for my community of Spring Hope.
I do want customers to know that I offer custom furniture painting services for everyone. Meaning if you have a furniture piece that needs a new look, or you find a piece of furniture that you want it an another color to better suit your taste/style, I can refurbish that for you. With over 14+ years of refurbishing furniture and designing experience, I enjoy taking on a new challenge with whatever new piece of furniture comes through my doors!
What you can find inside Pridgensfarmhouse:
Pridgensfarmhouse carries such a variety of things making it truly a unique one-stop-gift shop! PFH also houses 6 other women-owned small business vendors inside to bring you a collection of thoughtful handcrafted products.
You will find refurbished modern farmhouse furniture designed by myself, throw pillows, table linens (such as table runners, placemats napkin rings, dinner napkins), charcuterie boards along with much more dining entertainment & hostess accessories. Farmhouse home decor, rugs, handmade items from PFH’s vendors such as handmade natural ingredients artisanal soaps, handmade pottery from two local pottery artists, handcrafted herbal holistic body care products, handmade laser engraved wood gifts, local clean burning handmade soy based candles, to Pridgensfarmhouse Home Linen Collection Line which includes non-toxic room & linen sprays, carpet & upholstery freshners, clean laundry detergents with booster, dryer ball sprays, diffuser oils, and car oil diffusers. No harsh chemicals, no synthetic fragrances- just pure feel-good goodness you can trust!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Pridgensfarmhouse
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaintItPrettybyNikki/
