Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Walters.
Hi Nancy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I own a unique home goods store in Waseca, MN. The store is in a 1914 two-story home which has been updated to keep its original character. The hardwood floors, wood pillars, cupboards, windows, siding, etc., remain original. The yard is accented with beautiful landscaping, which has added so much value to the city of Waseca. When you walk into Homestead, you will be greeted in a warm & inviting setting that makes you feel at home. I spend a lot of time traveling & researching and looking for new & unique products that are different from everyone else or the big box stores. While searching, I try to keep items reasonably priced & of high quality so my customers can afford to bring them into their homes. My family is a huge support & has been through the blood, sweat, & tears to make Homestead what it is today.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
Covid 19 has been a significant struggle while we were closed due to state mandates. Now dealing with high fuel costs & a poor economy. Many small businesses are struggling with the loss of significant customer traffic & sales. We, however, remain hopeful for the last part of 2022, in which fall & Christmas are approaching.
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?
My unique selection of home goods & my eye for staging products sets me apart from others. I solely run my store. I do inventory selections, pricing, staging, selling, & bookkeeping of the store. I also do bookkeeping for our family business that my son & husband run. My daughter is a huge help when I need extra help with special events at the store. I’m very proud of what we’ve made Homestead. Many didn’t believe we’d buy such a run-down property, but we saw the vision of what it could be. The store & property are still getting new updates, but we feel after 8 years, our vision has come to light. For that, we are very proud.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
For the past 8 years, we have offered a customer loyalty program which has been a huge success. It’s our way of showing our customers we appreciate their support for our small business. We love helping customers with color choices, floral arranging, & staging for their homes. We even visit their homes giving suggestions for making their space look new at a reasonable cost. We also offer painting classes for customers to bring in their piece of furniture & become comfortable with painting using our Fusion paint—the best paint on the market.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Homestead
