Meet Vikki Jordan of Shabby Shaque in San Tan Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vikki Jordan.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Back in 2014, I was unexpectedly “let go” from my employment of 15 years. Within a few weeks of that shock, my husband and I were notified from the Phoenix Superior Courthouse that we had two weeks to get out of our rent to own home of six years. We took that letter to an Attorney because we were always on time for payment and had already paid a large down payment to purchase the home, we were confused. Turned out the house was in probate and indeed legally, we had to pack and get out. Talk about when it rains, it pours… and did I say, this was at Christmastime. One of the lowest moments of our life. So, we packed up and moved in with my parents who so graciously said yes.

I had always wanted my own business but had so many questions of how to start one so it was just easier to stay at my job. Well, sometimes it takes you being pushed out of your comfort zone to grow. I was now at a place where I had no choice but to step out of fear and start a new journey. I am so thankful for the support of my family and my rock, my hubby, Eddie.

I have had a passion for Interior design all my life and Eddie has had that furniture builder/fixer knowledge all his life.

So, after a few weeks of us putting our lives back together, we came up with a plan. We had dabbled in buying furniture in the past, Eddie would fix it then we would flip it. So, we started with $6.00 and bought an old, small beat up accent table. I loved to paint and I loved the trendy shabby/distressed look on furniture so I made this piece look magazine ready. Having a background in Interior Design I know it’s all about the presentation, so I staged this table and took pictures in great lighting. I posted it and within 5 minutes, it was sold for $60.00. The light bulb went on and we said: “We found our way!” “Shabby Shaque” was born.

After two months of me painting/distressing/marketing all the furniture by myself, I couldn’t keep up with the demand so Eddie quit his job and joined me full time and we grew in leaps and bounds.

Four years later, we now have our talented carpenter and project manager, JC Tinnell, and our gifted painter/shabby Scott Whiteley.

We’ve added building Custom Farmhouse Furniture to our business as well as refurbishing/refinishing wood furniture.

We also offer what we call “Shabby You” where we will add our touch to your furniture.

Now, Eddie does what we call the “treasure hunting” and deliveries while I do the social media/marketing and designing the Custom Farmhouse furniture builds. I still paint/shabby but now I get to pick and choose those special finds that come in that I drool over to create into a trendy masterpiece of beauty!

There is nothing better than doing what you love. So, instead of looking back at that day of being “let go” as a bad thing, it was actually a blessing in disguise… it helped me create Shabby Shaque.

Has it been a smooth road?
Not always a smooth road, no. When we first started our business, we either borrowed my parents truck or our sons truck. (We had a small car). Four months into the business it was getting busier and busier and we knew we couldn’t keep borrowing trucks with everyone’s schedules, we needed to do something else. We also knew we could NOT stop the momentum we were on so we started renting a U-Haul truck to pick up and deliver furniture. This was quite costly. Due to our situation of just starting our own business and being self-employed, we didn’t know if we could qualify to purchase a truck but to our amazement when we went to the dealership to apply, they had heard of “Shabby Shaque” and gladly gave us a loan for a truck with an 8ft bed! Plenty of space for furniture!

Another obstacle we had was finding a good chalk paint that we could work with. I was not happy with what was on the market and it was expensive for the quantities we needed. Eddie has over 11 years of experience working with paint so, through trial and error, we finally created our own Antique White satin finish Chalk Paint. It’s super durable and cleans up with soap and water.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Shabby Shaque – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in Custom Farmhouse Furniture. We work with Douglas fir, running each board through a planer plus we electric sand the wood and then hand sand it for super smooth table/bench tops. We hand pick each lumber piece for each project, bringing out Natures own Artwork of knots and grains to create a unique one of a kind piece of furniture for our customers. We are meticulous with measuring and cutting each board. We kreg jig all our pieces for perfect screw placements.

I believe what sets us apart is the care and beauty we love to bring to each project. It’s an Art. We don’t throw it together, it’s a thought out process for every build. I can’t tell you how many times my carpenter JC will call me out to the shop to see how beautiful the grains and knots have been strategically placed on something he just built. We build our Farmhouse furniture for our customers to enjoy for many, many years.

What I am most proud of is our quality and price. Don’t let our affordable prices fool you. We have such a desire for everyone to be able to afford great quality, gorgeous, hot trendy furniture.

I am also proud that everyone here at Shabby Shaque LOVES what they do and it shows in the craftsmanship of our furniture and the quality of our work.

We’ve had the wonderful opportunity as well with our furniture pieces to design/furnish several other local businesses helping them with their Interior Design needs.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I draw and create a new Farmhouse furniture piece every other month so we have some new designs I am super excited about that will be coming out this year!

I also am looking forward to “Shabby Shaque” having a new home/building on our own land in the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shabbyshaque.com
• Phone: 480-669-1123
• Email: shabbyshaque@gmail.com
• Instagram: ShabbyShaque
• Facebook: Facebook.com/shabbyshaquehomedecor

Image Credit:
Staging/Photos: Vikki Jordan

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