Handmade Wood Art and Décor

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in home decor but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Véro Filion, Owner of Déco Véro, located in Cochrane, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Déco Véro started in 2016 as a simple Christmas ornament side hustle. We have since grown into a worldwide home décor business with over 9000 pieces sent across the globe. Déco Véro specializes in custom, handmade home décor specializing in scroll saw art and wood signs. Our customers are people who want to decorate their homes, businesses that need corporate signage, and the general public looking for gifts.

Tell us about yourself

Déco Véro started because I saw there was a need for custom home décor. I've always been a very creative individual, so I started making my own pieces. Especially when I was attending post-secondary education, I couldn't afford the store-bought décor, so I made my own. Friends and family started asking me to make their items too. I decided to start selling some of my art on Facebook groups and saw it was a hot commodity. Boom! Déco Véro was born.

I'm motivated each day by trying to up my own game. I'm in competition with myself and myself only. I always want to try new things, dabble in new tech that can improve how I work, and develop new products and art - I'm addicted to success. It's truly what motivates me.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is when I have referrals or returning customers. It shows I'm doing something right, and people love my product and brand. Another accomplishment is when brands, foundations, or other companies and individuals want to work with Déco Véro. Whether it's for a new product line, a partnership, or a general interest in collaborations, this is a success for me.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being an entrepreneur is no easy feat. There are many ups and downs. However, one of the hardest things specifically for me and specifically for small manufacturing businesses is the struggle to compete with large corporate giants. Customers want the same speed, perfectionism, and perks (free shipping/free returns) when in reality, it's impossible for small businesses to do so. It's heartbreaking having to explain to potential customers that certain items take a lot of time and energy to construct and fabricate. Fortunately, we are in a new era now that consumers are choosing more to spend their money on local, small businesses.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Start. It's as simple as that - I wish I had started before 2016. I would be way more ahead than I am now if I had just taken the leap sooner.
Investing in your business will be crucial to have a good foundation. I'm not talking thousands and thousands, but get proper equipment/tools, branding, and some ad campaigns. A little goes a long way.
Register your business, even if it's a side hustle at first. This will help you tap into business grants and funding. These government programs helped me tremendously and are the reason Déco Véro grew into what it is today. Most local chamber of commerce/economic development corporations have free business classes - join one, learn, and grow.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.decovero.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decoveroart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoveroart/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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