On Dec. 3, Sullivan opened Flippin’ Happy Home Decor and More, 418 N. Washington St. There she sells repurposed furniture — “flipped” to add new life and value — along with other handmade goods and crafts, and she said she hopes to bring some happiness to peoples’ homes.
“There’s a lot of give and leeway in what I do,” Sullivan told the Herald. “(There’s) just a lot of room for creativity, so that’s what the whole purpose of the store is, is trying to make new things, make old things better.”
Sullivan found the location on North Washington Street and saw that it had promise, including space to expand in the future. The shop has private space in the back for Sullivan’s large family of nine children. She keeps the area stocked with games and activities, for when they visit the store.
The shop is supplied by a group of eight “super-talented women,” who each supply different kinds of crafts and art, including furniture, painted and wood art, dishes and handsewn creations. The vendors set up vignettes in the store that, Sullivan said, form a cohesive collection of handmade items to enhance home décor. It’s her hope the community responds to her shop and the women-made products sold there.
“We want to really make a statement with finding something that maybe didn’t have a lot of value before, or something that was more of a diamond-in-the-rough, and flipping it to bring happiness to people’s homes,” she said.
Sullivan thought her husband Duane wouldn’t be as excited about going out on her own as she was, with the tremendous amount of work it takes to start a business. After discussing her idea with him, she found he was instantly on board, and he has been supportive throughout the process.
“An opportunity came up so I just took the leap,” she said. “I’m pretty excited, and I’m feeling really great about the future.”
Flippin’ Happy Home Decor and More will be open partially during the week, from Thursday through Sunday, twice a month. When closed, people can still purchase items through the shop’s social media page or over the phone, and arrangements can be made for contactless pickup.
Source: grandforksherald.com