Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene Preston.
Hi Marlene, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started because I wanted to make a wreath for our door. Normally we’d go to Walmart or something, but that particular year, I wanted to create something unique and different. When I showed the picture to some friends and family, they all wanted a custom wreath for themselves. That’s when I realized how much I loved making crafts. I felt like God had put it on my heart to start a business because that was something that I’d never do on my own strength. That was around the end of 2019. Fast forward to the beginning of 2023, and I decided to completely rebrand my business. I went from making regular accents & decor to exclusively Farmhouse Style Accents & Decor. I’ve added pillows, trays, door hangers, and many other types of rustic and vintage items.
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?
I can say 100% it’s not a smooth road. Being an entrepreneur and small business owner comes with a lot of letdowns. There have been many lessons to learn and disappointments along the way. When we bought our house, I started doing more vendor events and farmer’s markets. There’s been time when I didn’t make my vendor fees back, and there’s been times where I didn’t sell a single thing. There’s been times I’ve encountered theft, low-traffic events, and even racism. But I don’t let it get me down. I keep pushing because I love what I get to do.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
So, my business is specifically specializes in Farmhouse Style Decor & Accents. That involves taking some older stuff and turning it into something completely new and beautiful. I believe that type of decor is something that will last a while, which is why my tagline is “Essential Style. Handcrafted Charm.“
The items that I’m most proud of are my pillows. I love going to estate sales and finding vintage and old material that may not be available anymore.
I believe what sets me apart is that I’m an African-American woman in a field that isn’t overflowing with women like myself. Typically, when I watch shows on HGTV that involve Farmhouse Style anything, I don’t see a face like mine. And that make me push harder because we (African-American women) are out here to make a name for ourselves. And we’re not stopping anytime soon.
Any big plans?
For now, I’m working on getting my inventory up. With it just being me making everything, I can only do so much in a day, lol. But in the future, I do plan to open my own brick & mortar. I’m also thinking about doing more out-of-state vendor events and possibly a mobile boutique. There’s so many ideas flowing, and I can’t wait to see what God has for me in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.createdreflections.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/createdreflections?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064990901549&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@createdreflections?_t=8g4TxLswShX&_r=1
