Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Rink.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mary. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
So one day I was at a crossroads in my Aviation career, having been a Flight Attendant and Airline Dispatcher for a span of 15 years, and decided I wanted to use the ‘right side’ of my brain for a change! To boost my confidence at the thought of such a bold career change, my sister sent me a fax of a floor layout I created for her new apartment when I was just 16 years old. It was very detailed and included drawings of the window treatments, furniture placement, such as her large stereo speakers (such decorative elements!), area rugs and a rubber tree plant! I realized that from a very young age I always enjoyed drawing houses with curtains in the windows and landscaping in the yard. From that moment on I basically thought it’s now or never! I was bored of Corporate America and a friend of mine saw an ad in the paper for a Design Consultant at Ethan Allen. I was hesitant at the thought of leaving a good paying job with benefits for something I really didn’t even know if I could do! In 2010, I took the jump and never regretted it! I made more money than my Corporate gig, and enjoyed creating vignettes for customers. After gaining several years of experience in this new career, I took another jump and opened up my own business. I never looked back and I love, love, love creating sweet spaces for folks!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh my goodness it was not smooth at all! I had no clue as to how to open or run a business, let alone ask people for money! How do I determine pricing for the area? How do I get the word out about my business? How could I possibly market ‘myself’ vs. a ‘product’. Ugh! So much to figure out!
I joined my local Chamber of Commerce to start networking, and they asked me to write decorating articles for their magazine. I also worked part-time at a local furniture store and as a Sales Assistant for a Model Home to gain more experience. Then I delved into the world of ‘html’ (ick!) and forced myself to create my own website and begin my online presence. I must say it was slow going, and I was my own worst critic wondering if I made a mistake. However, several homes under my belt and a few years wiser, I absolutely love this career! And the added plus of being my own boss is so rewarding.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Decorating Rink – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a Certified Home Staging Specialist and Interior Redesign Specialist. So, basically, Home Staging is getting your home ready to be placed on the market for sale. I go in and de-clutter, organize, tell folks what items to remove or keep, and then I freshen up the space with my own accessories to make it ‘model home’ ready! I take care of furniture rentals if required, landscapers, painters, window washers, etc.
Interior Redesign is for folks who just want a room makeover and are not selling their home. I start pulling the items they already own and move around to create a more appealing space. I can pull a chair from an attic and place it at a kitchen work desk and it works like a charm! Or take a few chairs away from a table and open up a space. People are amazed at the transformation. And it’s all using things they already own so there are no purchases involved or waiting time for furniture deliveries!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Well, first I’d like to get a storage unit to house my growing accessories!! Right now, I run up to my attic which is currently in overflow mode! I plan to keep my business fairly small and manageable, as I am a one-woman show! But I’m hyper, I’m fast and I like to be busy!!! So far, I have been able to accommodate every job that has come my way!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thedecoratingrink.com
- Phone: 571-337-9274
- Email: mary@thedecoratingrink.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedecoratingrink
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedecoratingrink/
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/thedecoratingrink
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/mary-rink/the-decorating-rink
Image Credit:
Shoot2Sell Photography
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