Hello there, My name is DanaLee. You may know me as the owner of DanaLee's Furniture in Port Orchard WA. A little bit about myself, Well I am closing out my 20's and nearing the big 30 :) I am excited about entering into the 30's. Maybe now I will feel "grown up!" My 20's have been good to me, I started my own business at the young age of 25. Opening my showroom "DanaLee's Furniture" in January of 2007. This move was decided upon on my sister wanting to move her store "Seasons' Creek" out of the Port Orchard area (whom I "followed" and worked with scince 2001)
Seasons' Creek was a business that was built and imagined by my sister Amber, (whom is now the Head Chic, Owner and founder of the "Flea Market Chics" in Bremerton!) I worked with her building bookcases, Benches, Wall Cubbys, Peg and Coat Racks and Entry way Benches. We were known as the "Pottery Barn Knock Off Girls" LOL, I took that comparison as a compliment, I mean to be compared to Pottery Barn is pretty good right? Now of course our prices, and quality were WAY better! But, enough said about the Seasons' Creek! Back to the beginning of DanaLee's !!
My sister decided to close her showroom here in Port Orchard and make to move to Poulsbo to be at Caron's Beach House. I myself new that that was a way to big of a move for me and decided that I wanted to stay in the area, After all I live here so it makes sense right! With Amber's decision to move, it was now my turn to do something for myself. I saw a great location on Bay street that was for rent. 818 Bay St to be exact and that is where I opened the first DanaLee's Showroom. Now remember I was just starting out, My boyfriend at the time (we are married now!!) thought that the idea was CrAZy ! lol, but "he's a man and what does he know really!" This was my decision and I knew that it was the right one! I had nothing to loose.... I opened my doors in January of 2007. With huge help from yet again my sister Amber, she let me consign her painted furniture for the first year and a half of being opened and right away I started finding my own pieces to be finished. Amber at first was doing all the painting for me until eventually I was able to purchase my own sprayer and had my own workspace to do my own painting! Baby steps and a big sister is all that it took to be successful at the young age of 25 :)
I had my showroom at 818 Bay street until April of 2009. The showroom was "making" it but had A LOT of overhead expenses that I felt were unnecessary. I simply had myself stretched out to far. During the time that I had my showroom I was also working 4 nights a week as a Bartender at Puerta Vallarta so the combination of being a.... "Furniture Finder, Finisher, Marketing lady, Sales Lady, Boss, Business owner, Bartender, and not to forget to mention girlfriend" needless to say "It was just to much!" So I closed it :(
That summer was still a good one for me though. I was still doing it! Just on a different scale. I attended the "Fremont Sunday Market" in Seattle with my sister Amber. We sold our stuff together every Sunday for that summer. It was Nice :) I also opened a booth in a variety mall called "New to You" but that booth was not working out for my needs, so I pulled out.
That is when in November 2009 I found my new and hopefully FINAL location!! 1960 Bay Street. This spot is ideal for me :) it is right down the road from our house and it is on the main strip of a road side storage facility called "Bayside Storage". I was able to place a sign above my unit and can open my doors whenever I choose! I am now open every Saturday and Sunday from 10-4.....any other days by appointment.
I now have 2 units there that are combined and it is working out perfect! Plus I am on the water so I can say that I own a little piece of water front property :)
I have to also mention that in the mean time of all this decion making and finding what was working best for the business I,.....stopped Bartending and focused on business and my relationship, Became engaged in October of 2009, Married in October of 2010, Pregnant in December of 2010 and had a beautiful, Amazing baby boy Tyler on September 2011 :) Yes, VERY busy I was! and even more busy now juggling a baby and the showroom!
Now is as good of time as any to thank and give reward to my husband Sean for being my "partner" in the last few years! It was his initial idea to move to a storage facility (less overhead) It was unfortunate that he lost his managers job due to the economy crashing in 2008, But at the same time very fortunate that we had the DanaLee's business to get us through! Sean (my husband) was a huge help, He took over for me when I was prego becasue I of course could not spray! Basically we have accomplished everything together! Its a pretty amazing feeling and Great reward, that in this dying economy our small business (that was based on a vision that at first Sean did NOT see)... was able to provide for our family! Now that is SUCCESS in a nut shell ")
The goal for this year 2012 is to be the best "DanaLee", Mother and Wife that I can :) I hope to grow the showroom and name "DanaLee" further than ever :) Sean just recently took another manger's position, so he unfortunately is no longer available to help me. Its Bitter Sweet Really, I mean how long can us women really work side by side, 24/7 with out men?? lol. I put my time in at a whopping 3 years!!! and we survived :)
I hope that if you as my "Followers" need any pieces for your home that you will check out my inventory, Or consider looking around your home for something that I can paint!! spruce it up a little :) There may be a hidden gem right in front of you!
I was once described by a blog titled "B. Chic Design" she quoted DanaLee's as a " A budget decorators alternative to main cottage furniture." and that is what I am aspiring to do for you all !!! Design on a budget! Because in these trying times we still need our painted furniture! our houses to become Homes and we are ALL on a budget! It is after all the new way of life!
Now just HAVE FuN :) and Color IT Coastal !!
