Today we’d like to introduce you to Justine Lisa.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in an artistic and entrepreneurial family, I always knew that being a shopkeeper was something I wanted to explore one day. My dad is a carpenter and he always had such incredible relationships with his clients. I admired that deeply. I started working at a small boutique in my hometown, called Finch, during college and that is really where I fell in love with small business. There was something so sweet about merging this world of customer care with beautiful products that inspired people. I fell in love with this idea of rooting yourself in a community and building something that people could enjoy. I studied Fashion Merchandising and Interior design in college & always felt such a pull towards the small business world. After graduating in 2015, I worked as a department manager at Anthroplogie in Charlottesville, VA & then a few years later, moved to Waco, TX in 2018 to pursue a career in visual merchandising at Magnolia. During my time at Magnolia, I really fell in love with the art of visual merchandising. I loved the idea of creating stories within product pairings and how what we did by setting the floor displays, created an entire experience for each guest that would walk through the doors. As I rooted myself more and more in Waco, I fell in love with this community and saw a deep need for a small shop that could feel like home away from home for people. That is where The Carpenter’s Daughter was born! This dream quickly became a reality when I stumbled upon a charming 600 square foot building with tons of character and charm. So, I signed the lease back in August 2024 & I just threw myself into the entire process of opening a shop. I asked questions, I sought out wisdom & I had such a clear vision for what I wanted the space to be, everything fell into place really organically. The shop is a little bit of everything–home goods, apothecary, stationery and vintage. I wanted the shop to be a home of a little bit of everything for everyone. From my heart into your home.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest struggles along the way has been just how much you hold as a small business owner. You are responsible for the finances/buying/merchandising/customer service/social media…the list goes on and on! Your brain truly never really shuts off at the end of the day. You have to come to a place where you feel comfortable offloading tasks and projects. I have learned how to let go of things that might be taking up too much space in my brain. The hardest part was getting to that point for me, only because I truly love doing it all. However, I quickly realized that I can’t do it all & it really does make you a better business owner if you are able to offload the things that weigh you down.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Carpenter’s Daughter is a small lifestyle shop nestled in the heart of Waco, Texas featuring curated goods for you and your home.
When you walk through the front door of our small shop, you’ll find one-of-a-kind vintage treasures, along with thoughtfully sourced pieces from independent makers and artisans all over the world. We carry a little bit of everything—stationery, apothecary, home fragrance, textiles, jewelry, and more—I wanted there to be something special for everyone.
I source from other small artisans, making each piece feel special and well curated. I believe in pieces that have a story and my biggest hope is that you will find something magical at this little corner on 25th street.
I am most proud of the fact that this little shop has become such a beacon of joy for so many people in the community. There are so many moments where people will just come in because they need a little happiness in their day, and it’s such an honor to be able to provide that for them. I wouldn’t have it any other way. This community is the heartbeat of the shop & they really do encourage me to keep going.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Holidays with my family will always be such a nostalgic, warm memory for me. My parents hosted with such joy and warmth & I have the fondest memories of everyone coming to our house to laugh and eat good food and just be in each other’s company. We were always surrounded by beauty, with most of the decorations in our house being handmade by us. Our Christmas tree was adorned with ornaments that we made as kids. I think that’s also why I love being a shopkeeper so much. It almost feels like i’m hosting people continually in the space. This shop feels like my home, so it is such a gift to be able to welcome each person that comes in the shop with open arms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecarpentersdaughterwaco.com/
- Instagram: thecarpentersdaughterwaco
