Meet Marissa Nystrom of The Sunny Nest Decor in East Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Nystrom.

Marissa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story starts back to December of 2015. We were struggling financially and I was barely bringing home anything from my full time job to cover daycare costs, so I did what my husband I thought made sense and I resigned. It was a scary time. I had spent six years at that company and had no idea what the future held. I had no intention of starting a business, that is for sure! My sister-in-law had let me borrow her Cricut machine. It was one of the old school, cartridge ones. I started fiddling around with it and began creating greeting cards. Someone bought a few and I was shocked! Then as I got a little more comfortable, I created a personalized pillow cover for a friend, posted it on Facebook and then the orders started rolling in. I couldn’t believe it! At the time we were living in a two bedroom apartment, on the brink of eviction because we could barely afford our rent and then people started wanting to buy what I was making. The shock was an understatement. I began creating more and more pillow covers and then started making signs that are when my business took off. I launched my Etsy shop in February 2016 and I have never looked back. I pour my heart and soul into The Sunny Nest Decor, which has grown tremendously over the past four years. What started on the kitchen counter of our two bedroom apartment has turned into my full-time job. I have gone from painting signs to now offering laser engraved/laser cut options as well. I have recently taken on the role of being a business mentor for those looking to start their own similar business and that is something I truly enjoy. Owning The Sunny Nest Decor has opened so many doors for family and myself on a personal and business level and I am forever grateful!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth? Ha! Does anything ever go as planned? Starting your business is a learning curve and no one is there to hold your hand through it. I think that’s what makes you a successful entrepreneur, though, is being able to get through the time times. Opening and growing my own business has taught me so many valuable life lessons.

Tell us more about the business.
Here at The Sunny Nest Decor, we specialize in home decor, specifically wood signs and laser cut/laser engraved goods. By having the laser option, we can set ourselves apart by adding dimension to our signs. One of our favorite things to create, or perhaps recreate is the handwriting of a loved one and turning it into a special piece for our customers.In addition, we enjoy sharing our home building process as well as styling/decor ideas! One thing that as a company, we are most proud of is helping to see others through this as well. Like taking on the role of mentoring like-minded people is a real passion. We know that others out there can be just as successful and we want to help them along that path!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I think there have been times where we have been fortunate enough to continue growing as a business but I don’t know if luck is the right word. Determination seems to describe better how we have been able to meet business and personal goals—knowing that we never want to go back to that dark place of struggling to make ends meet. Not to mention, with three kids watching our every move, there is no room to fail.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.etsy.com/shop/thesunnynestdecor
• Email: thesunnynestdecor@yahoo.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesunnynestdecor

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