Member Spotlight: The Industrial Cottage

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Molly Tilman has always had a keen eye for beautiful, unique furniture. What began as a personal hobby of refinishing vintage pieces in her home seven years ago has blossomed into a thriving business, The Industrial Cottage, that blends her love for craftsmanship with a commitment to offering high-quality furniture at unbeatable prices.

Molly’s journey into the world of furniture retail began with a passion for bringing old, forgotten furniture back to life. Six years ago, she took the leap and opened her first retail location, bringing her vision to a wider audience. Now, The Industrial Cottage is on the cusp of a significant expansion. Molly is partnering with Furniture Classics, taking over 40,000 square feet of space at their Tidewater location. With this partnership, The Industrial Cottage is set to elevate its offerings by hosting exclusive, once-a-month weekend events, where customers can discover and purchase stunning furniture pieces at remarkable prices. This new venture marks a pivotal moment in her business, allowing her to offer a broader selection of high-quality furniture sourced from factories worldwide.

However, the road to success has not been without its challenges. Molly candidly shares that managing cash flow and finding reliable employees have been two of the most significant hurdles she’s faced. The fluctuating income from week to week has been tough to navigate, often leading her to secure capital loans to stabilize the business's finances. Molly and her family have also invested personal funds to fuel the growth of The Industrial Cottage, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the business. The challenge of finding good employees has been equally difficult. Molly has tackled this by clearly identifying the needs of her business, offering fair wages, and, most importantly, exercising patience. Her dedication to creating a supportive work environment is evident in her approach to staffing.

Despite these challenges, Molly’s greatest business success lies in the diversity of services The Industrial Cottage offers. The combination of retail, design services, and a workroom for refinishing furniture has set her business apart from competitors. This diversity has proven to be a strategic advantage, allowing different facets of the business to support each other when one side experiences a downturn.

As Molly looks to the future, she is excited about the opportunities her partnership with Furniture Classics will bring. With increased shipping and buying power, The Industrial Cottage will no longer focus on refinishing furniture but instead offer an even wider selection of high-quality, affordable pieces. The once-a-month event model will create an air of exclusivity, encouraging customers to seize the opportunity to purchase these limited-time offerings.

For those considering starting their own business, Molly offers sage advice: “You have to be flexible! Failure is not a bad word. I have failed at a lot of things we have tried. We just pivot and move in a different direction. Stopping was never really an option for me. Just keep working the problem until it works for you.”

Molly Tilman’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep love for her craft. As The Industrial Cottage embarks on this exciting new chapter, it stands as a testament to the power of adaptability and the importance of staying true to one’s vision, no matter the obstacles along the way.