Bre is the owner and creator behind Handmade Nest Co. a handcrafted wood sign company based in Las Vegas, Nevada.   Inspired by her love for family, creativity, + a cozy home she creates designs from the heart. Her signs are created for moms and working women who struggle with finding time to be creative, she handcrafts signs to inspire creativity so others can spend more time in the space they love.  Her shop features a collection of handcrafted wall art that is sure to make your home a happy, warm, and welcoming space. Her online collection features Modern Farmhouse, Boho, and vintage painted/hand carved pieces fit for any room.  Las Vegas locals receive free shipping on pick up orders-use code LOCAL at checkout. 

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"The idea of working for someone and not feeling the control, or having personal freedom has always bothered me."

 

We interviewed Bre to find out what motivates her, how she started her business, and her plans for the future. Here is what she said....... 

• How did the idea for your business come about? The idea for my business has been brewing for several years. Visiting trade shows and scouring social media really helped build a lot of my concepts and what I think I can bring to the creative table. My original idea was super farmhouse inspired because that’s where I was inspired with my own home decor. As I kept researching what people were into with farmhouse signage, all that came to mind was: girly, pastels, soft... and I thought to myself “that is so not me”. I’d say Handmade Nest Co. is a combination of modern boho, modern farmhouse, and words from my sassy ass or sentimental heart! And that just stuck! No offense to anyone who loves or makes classic farmhouse decor btw 

 

• What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?  Its something I’ve always known I was destined for. The idea of working for someone and not feeling the control, or having personal freedom has always bothered me. I’ve been an artist my whole life- mostly drawing and painting, with some graphic design schooling. I think a combination of busting at the seams with creativity and looking at so much home decor and saying, “I can make that” was the beginning. But if I had to really pin point that pivotal moment, I’d have to say it was becoming a mom. Wanting to support my family and do something I truly love is huge for me. My family is what inspires a lot of my work and what pushes me to always be my best! 

 

"One of the things that is hard is sometimes having to take time away from your family because the wheels don’t turn unless you're working to keep them going. It can lead to pushing your kids and husband away at times, having emotional breaking moments, lack of energy to run as fast as your kids want you to... but it also makes you love that much harder"

 

• How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful? Since the beginning I’ve been 100% organic with my marketing and really drive my presence through the power of Instagram, Pinterest, hashtags, and good photo presets. I think the biggest thing with social media and that has worked for me is the relationships I’ve built. Building trust with likeminded women that repost my photos, share my page in their stories, or that I collaborate with has been huge.

 

 

• How many hours a day do you work on average? This is always a funny thing for me to explain to most people, especially my non parent friends. Before getting pregnant I’d wake up at 5 am, do an at home workout, sit at my computer or finish some signs all before my son would wake up. My current pregnant self wakes up at 7 to lay in bed answering emails/ checking social media, maybe finishes some packaging or staining, then has my son from around 8-1 pm (not much gets accomplished while he’s awake). If he goes to daycare I get as much done in the 4 hours he’s gone as inhumanly possible lol. All other days my main work time is 1-4 pm, then it’s back to full time mommy mode. Didya catch all of that?! So my answer is all over the place as you can see #momlife

 

• How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?  I would say that this question can be a bit tough at times. Mainly because any entrepreneur will tell you that to own and operate any successful business you have to be willing to sacrifice time, money, and relationships. Any mom will tell you that being a parent alone is not easy and that they would do anything for their kids. One of the things that is hard is sometimes having to take time away from your family because the wheels don’t turn unless you're working to keep them going. It can lead to pushing your kids and husband away at times, having emotional breaking moments, lack of energy to run as fast as your kids want you to... but it also makes you love that much harder. I think we’ve actually come closer as a family through it all, considering my husband runs his own business as well.

 

"My biggest fear is not being perfect when it comes to running my business. I believe in a thing called ‘perfection paralysis’ and it’s the literal thing that held me back from starting my own business for years"

 

 

 

 

• What are the things you hold most important when you have free time? Are there non negotiable things you do for yourself to ensure you stay balanced? I like to keep my personal moments simple. Give me some warm coffee or tea, a good show or movie, a trip to the store by myself, or a nice long shower and I’m fully rejuvenated. What’s most important to me is making sure my family knows how much I love them through small actions, and taking time for myself so that I feel balanced and whole again.

 

"There are days that I want to beat my head into a wall with frustration. But the best part is learning from it, overcoming it, and knowing what to do or not to do next time. "

 

 

 

• What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear? My biggest fear is not being perfect when it comes to running my business. I believe in a thing called ‘perfection paralysis’ and it’s the literal thing that held me back from starting my own business for years. It would always raise the questions in my head ‘what if I’m not good enough? They’re already doing so well...How do I compete with that?’ along with many other things that just dimmed my light. I think what has helped me is experience. Just believing in myself and my product is what beats fear every time. Plus, I’m just too stubborn to quit!

 

"There are days that I want to beat my head into a wall with frustration. But the best part is learning from it, overcoming it, and knowing what to do or not to do next time."

 

• Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?  I love this question because I think there are two types of successful entrepreneurs: the ones that cut down people and will risk it all to feel like they’ve made it (which is purely for money and heartless in my opinion), and the ones that build actual lasting relationships, realize growth is a slow building process, and know that you have to be present in your business. The entrepreneur with lasting traits lies in the latter, but the success of the business comes from constantly putting in the work; staying ahead of the market, continuing those relationships, building new ones, etc.

 

• What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur? To be honest, I love the challenge. There are days that I want to beat my head into a wall with frustration. But the best part is learning from it, overcoming it, and knowing what to do or not to do next time. 

 

 

• What piece of advice would you give to those who want to become entrepreneurs or those that specifically want to do something similar to what you are doing? Believe in yourself, take that step, don’t ever stop moving forward, and always love what you do. This industry is super over saturated with home decor, and specifically signage, so find what it is that makes you stand out and run with it. We are all such strong women!