We caught up with Cherry Gomez of Designed By Cherry – bespoke & custom painted furniture – to hear how her small business has smashed all of her expectations in its first year.
Based on Stone’s Whitebridge Estate, Cherry explained to A Little Bit of Stone what it’s taken to grow her business in a pandemic.
Cherry told us:
“After working long hours in nursing care I started producing uniquely hand painting furniture as a way to unwind at the height of the pandemic.Over the last 12 months, I’ve worked extremely hard in building my business brand, Designed By Cherry.What started as a hobby quickly became very popular with family, friends & acquaintances who wanted to purchase my painted pieces of furniture and from there, things have snowballed!”
Cherry went on to add:“Whilst continuing my nursing work I started self-studying to familiarise myself with different painting techniques, styles & design ideas.I started to get an overwhelming amount of enquiries from people asking me to paint their own furniture pieces or source something specific to paint for them.”
We asked Cherry about sustainability and the throwaway culture that people often have when it comes to furnishing a property or business:
“I strongly believe by taking unwanted, unused furniture and creating something unique & stylish is far more environmentally friendly than mass-produced pieces of furniture you can buy from larger companies.What could have been destined for tip can be refreshed and live a second or even third life elsewhere.”
After a busy 12 months, we were keen to hear what the future of Designed by Cherry involves:
“I now work full time focusing on my business specialising in vintage & antique furniture although all furniture projects are undertaken.I take on commission based projects and also have a range of ready to buy furniture that I have created myself.My customer base is growing week by week with customers not only local but now all over the UK where I use a trusted courier to transport the pieces to their new home.I use premium eco-friendly products and I’m always happy to offer guidance & design ideas to customers who require my assistance.”
Earlier this year Cherry completed a piece for multi-award winning butcher Griffins of Stone and Cherry enthused about working with other local Stone businesses and residents:
“I had the wonderful Nick from Griffin’s Of Stone request a commission piece that now proudly sits in the shop to stock some fantastic condiments & sides that they sell.I always do my very best to buy local & support other Stone based businesses, purchasing supplies from Stone builders merchants, the wandering bee & the artisan boutique.”
Cherry wrapped up by telling us:
“My business is ever-growing as I work away creating the most beautiful pieces of furniture in my workshop from home. I’ve been so inundated with work I’ve had to set up a customer waiting list.I’m forever grateful for the support from family, friends & other local businesses & I’d not be where I am now if it wasn’t for the fantastic customers who purchase my pieces & those who entrust in my vision when working on commission pieces.”
It was fantastic to chat with Cherry and hear her so excited about her small business.
To find out more about Cherry’s work you can check out her social media pages, enquiries can be made via her email address also.
Facebook Designed by cherry
Instagram designed_bycherry
