Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Cantu.
Nicole, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As funny as it is, if you asked me five years ago if I’d ever owned a business, the answer would have probably been “Not likely, lol!” I always considered myself to be more of a corporate soldier than an entrepreneur. But boy, having a family & kids can sure change your outlook on life. Five years ago, I was a Human Resources professional who LOVED her job!! However, quickly after having my oldest daughter, I realized that as much as I loved my career, I was missing out on spending the time with her that she & I both needed. After lots of deliberation, & hours & hours of conversation with my husband. I decided to stay home with her & continue to grow our family. That’s a tough decision for someone like me who loves learning, creating, contributing, & being challenged (intellectually I mean, trust me, Mommin is sooooo challenging!). But ya know what, I never regretted that decision. Not once.
Shortly after, I had my son, we moved into a new house, my husband got a promotion, & I felt like there were signs all around me that I had made the right decision. But for whatever reason, something just didn’t feel “whole.” I felt like I had nothing in my life that was just “mine.” Maybe that sounds selfish, maybe it doesn’t. But I needed to channel those feelings into something. Something positive, something that I loved, something that was just mine. So, I began focusing on a then “hobby” of mine. Decorating.
As a kid, I always loved watching my mom decorate our house. I always paid attention to the little decor details in my friends’ & family’s houses. There was just something about it I loved! Maybe it was that there was no right or wrong way to do it. For someone who always appreciated math & science for having a TRUE answer, I finally found a gray area that I loved living in! Every person, every family has a different style; different ways they like to decorate to make them feel comfortable in their own homes; different pieces that have a story, a history, a meaning. So, when I needed a place to turn that was just “me”, I think it made complete sense that I dove into home decor. It’s something so personal, so unique to each person. So, my hobby turned into a focus, turned into a shop, turned into a passion.
So, the first thing I did, I opened a Home Decor Instagram account (@myrusticretreat). I started sharing pictures of my home, rooms I had decorated, DIYs we had done, little vignettes I created. The goal here: simply to inspire, so share beauty, to give people ideas & inspiration for their own homes. I found a community of men & women who had similar passions & were doing the same thing, and I LOVED it!!
I did that for a for a while, then one day, I told my husband I wanted to take things a step further. I wanted to make it easier for people to bring their own beauty & style into their homes. I wanted to open a shop! But not JUST open a shop. I wanted to also give tips, advice, answer questions, simply be a resource for people who wanted it. He, being the super supportive (but also very practical) person he is, said “Okay. Let’s do it. What’s the plan?”
So, there we went!
Has it been a smooth road?
I’m not sure I would say it’s been a “smooth” road, but I definitely think we’ve been blessed & fortunate. Have things been tough at times? Sure. I think that’s only normal. For me personally, the hardest parts were:
1) the researching (opening a business is no joke, and there’s a lot of time & research that goes into it at the beginning, to make sure you’re compliant, have all the right licenses & certifications, find the right web platforms, hosts, etc.)
2) balancing my responsibilities as business owner & my responsibilities as a mom and wife. (My first & most important job is a wife/mom and I often have to remind myself of that because the business doesn’t feel like work to me. I love it so much & it can be hard to take a step back at times.)
3) The vulnerability & exposure you create when you put yourself out there on social media. Let’s be honest, internet trolls exist. For whatever reason, there are people out there who find joy in criticizing & trying to tear you down. Trying to deciding what you’re willing to share about your home, family, life, etc. can be challenging; especially when you want to protect your privacy & the privacy of your family. Attempting to protect yourself from harsh & hateful comments while still connecting with your audience is a balancing act. Thankfully, most of my followers & customers are AMAZING and SO SUPPORTIVE!!! I really feel like I have an amazing group of people behind me! When I do come across an occasional troll though, I just remind myself that they don’t know me, it’s not personal, & whatever issue they have is their own to work through. I’ve definitely developed thicker skin, lol.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My Rustic Retreat is a Lifestyle Website, Blog, & Shop. It’s kind of a one-stop-shop for all things home & lifestyle. I share things like:
-travel experiences & tips
-style/fashion/beauty finds
-home decor inspiration
-DIY tutorials
I also have a small shop where people can purchase much of the decor they see styled in my photos. And I will soon be offering design consultations & e-design packages for those who would rather just have someone complete a style project for them from start to finish.
I think I’m most proud of the connection & trust I’ve developed with my customers & followers. I do my best to make myself available to them, to connect with them, to be genuine & real. I’m a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, etc., just like so many others out there. As different as we are, we all have so much in common, and I just want people to see that. I want to be a trusted resource for them! I think that’s how I’ve set myself apart. No message goes unread or ignored and no email unanswered. I work very hard to show gratitude & appreciation for those who take time out of there day to connect with me. I think when everything you do is online & virtual, you have to!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Most of my business is conducted online so I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if being in Rockwall makes a huge difference for my business, but what I can say is, I just love Rockwall, in general!! It’s a great place to be! There’s such a sense of community, the people are great, and there’s always so much to do! Downtown Rockwall is such a cute little place with some of the most adorable shops, great food, and great entertainment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.myrusticretreat.com
- Email: nic.can8504@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myrusticretreat
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyRusticRetreat
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyRusticRetreat
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
