Hello there! My identify is Marissa, and I’m the proprietor of MissFlips Furnishings LLC. I began my furniture-flipping journey again in 2020 as a strategy to take management of my funds. I ended up turning it right into a full-time enterprise that I nonetheless thrive off of three years later.
I’m going to be exhibiting you the ins and outs of how I began and the way I proceed to stay off this full-time pastime! So let’s get flippin’!
The Origin Story
“I’m an actor.” This assertion, or actually, this admission, is commonly met with a wide range of judgmental responses.
The stereotypical one is, “Oh, what restaurant do you’re employed at?”. This lovely dish served with a aspect of sarcasm, and a heavy-handed sprint of condescension is one that usually graces the desk of us people courageous sufficient to enter this metaphorical restaurant. To which, after choosing up our pleasure, we humbly reply with a chuckle and faux smile, realizing full properly the fact of this query.
![](https://mlsjoxwh2dv5.i.optimole.com/cb:fJ2b~7176/w:649/h:1024/q:90/f:best/https://finmasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/MissFlips.jpg)
I labored at a couple of eating places throughout my time within the not-so-glamorous metropolis of Los Angeles. Having by no means been a server earlier than, my resume was coated in elaborate elaborations and relations disguised as references. However I knew if I might simply get my foot within the door, I would make an awesome worker to anybody forgiving sufficient to rent me. And it labored!
I began small with a museum restaurant, then labored my method as much as a scorching new spot within the Hollywood Hills, the place I weaseled my method into bartending. The pay was first rate, hours versatile, and there was at all times somebody as determined as you prepared to cowl your shift ought to a last-minute audition pop up. All degrading stereotypes apart, it actually was the right job!
However alas, all good issues should abruptly be interrupted by a large and unforeseeable world disaster that forces us to remain in our houses whereas fully derailing our lives!… That’s how that goes, proper?
The place Issues Went Fallacious
And similar to that, like so many others all over the world, I misplaced my job. I used to say that I used to be compelled to maneuver out of LA. That I needed to depart. However trying again, I used to be fortunate to go away. And fortunate that every one I truly needed to do was determine. All I needed to assist was a dream and nothing extra. No children, no household, no debilitating money owed to maintain. So now, I look again and say I used to be capable of depart LA and transfer in with my boyfriend’s mother and father in my now house of Georgia. However as grateful as I’m, it didn’t make the transition any simpler.
Time appeared boring, empty, and lengthy. The appearing doorways have been shut for the foreseeable future, and right here I used to be, again below a parental roof after dwelling seven years alone. I felt caught. I used to be hundreds of miles away from my family and cohabitating with, on the time, a really new companion and his unfamiliar household. It was unusual.
Different folks in my life had begun discovering artistic methods to adapt to this unusual new actuality, however not me. Actually, trying again, I used to be depressed. It was the sort of boredom that you just’re too drained and unmotivated to care about. However I knew I wanted one thing to go the time. So I started exploring one thing that I wasn’t too accustomed to: Youtube.
Issues are Wanting Up!
YouTube. Really the unsung hero of this story. I shortly obtained hooked on previous fort restorations. The mix of historical past, restoration, and delightful craftsmanship fascinated me. And after a few days of tumbling down the rabbit gap, I discovered it. I discovered the pastime that was going to hold me out of this mucky 2020 dread and again into the sunshine. Furnishings Flipping. At first, I thought it was simply going to be that; a pastime. But it surely shortly become one thing that might fully change my life.
Getting Began
Essentially the most troublesome factor when beginning something new is often the “beginning” half. There are at all times going to be causes to not do one thing. So actually, the most effective recommendation that I can provide is simply to do it. Take the leap and soar in with all you may have! At first, I didn’t know so much and wasn’t certain which items to flip, what would promote, or how greatest to promote it. However I knew I wished to do that, so I instantly began a Youtube channel and Instagram regardless of all my hesitation and lack of information. This actually helped me take it critically and maintain me accountable, however we’ll discuss extra about that later.
Can Anybody Flip Furnishings?
That is an fascinating query. I personally suppose anybody is able to doing something so long as they put their thoughts to it. But it surely additionally is dependent upon whether or not or not you prefer it sufficient to persevere via the challenges that flipping furnishings can typically current. It’s plenty of arduous work! You must raise heavy objects, typically work in excessive temperatures, take care of unpredictable earnings, meet deadlines, and all the opposite, typically, grueling labor that comes with flipping furnishings. It’s positively not for everybody. However in case you don’t thoughts getting your palms soiled, properly, that’s actually all you want! The abilities will come. You are able to do something you set your thoughts to, irrespective of your expertise!
So sure, I’d say anybody can flip furnishings in the event that they wish to.
For those who’re simply beginning out, I like to recommend heading to YouTube and watching all of the movies you possibly can. There’s a tutorial on there for the whole lot! However remember the fact that you don’t must know the right way to do the whole lot earlier than you begin. Rising up, I used to be at all times round development initiatives of some variety and would hammer the occasional nail or typically caulk a nook. This expertise positively helped me a little bit in a method that I knew the right way to use a drill and that the final thought of portray made sense to me. However I actually had no thought what I used to be doing and simply figured the whole lot out as I went alongside.
Some folks ask me in the event that they need to be inventive with a purpose to begin. Being inventive is useful, nevertheless it’s not needed. I’d argue that in case you are inclined to start out furnishings flipping, you’re almost definitely inherently inventive ultimately. However in case you’re not and nonetheless end up drawn to it, that’s all that issues! Any ability might be discovered, together with artwork.
So now that we’ve obtained your doubts out of the way in which, let’s get you the popper gear.
What You’re Going to Want and Basic Prices
After I first began flipping furnishings, I used to be watching tutorials like loopy. With my restricted data, I created an inventory of instruments that I wanted and thrifted what I might… I don’t suggest this. I made do with what I thrifted for a time.
Nonetheless, when you’ve got the means, I extremely suggest shopping for these must-have instruments and supplies for learners.
- Security Gear equivalent to Respirator masks, gloves, goggles, work boots, shoulder lifting straps, and many others. ($100-$250).
- Sander and sandpaper ($40-$90).
- Sponge brushes and common paint brushes ($10-$20).
- Multi-Bit Screw Driver ($10-$15).
- Paint, stain, and high coat ($30-$100).
Prices differ relying on high quality and amount.
New instruments will work and can final you some time. For those who can’t afford them, you need to use the earnings out of your first few flips to put money into some good-quality instruments.
Instruments are almost definitely going to be one-time bills. However issues like sandpaper, paint, high coat, and respirator filters are going to be reoccurring bills. It’s a good suggestion to put aside a share of each flip to place towards this stuff.
A very powerful gadgets are these coping with security. These needs to be your high precedence when moving into furnishings flipping. We flippers take care of many hazardous issues, from chemical fumes to the heavy items themselves. So just remember to are properly protected against all of those from the start so as to proceed to do that for a very long time.
Correct lifting approach is an underrated want when discussing the requirements of furnishings flipping. Be sure to look at tutorials on the right way to correctly raise furnishings earlier than making an attempt to raise heavy items. I extremely suggest getting shoulder-lifting straps to make it simpler and safer. However in case you’re going to be lifting heavy issues, it’s almost definitely a bigger piece, which implies you’ll want a decently-sized automotive or trailer. This isn’t a necessity, nevertheless it does make issues so much simpler.
Additional down the road, you can begin saving up for extra superior instruments like miter saws, jig saws, oscillating instruments, dowel jigs, routers, and such. These items should not needed for flipping however will certainly come in useful and assist expedite your flipping course of.
Discovering the Proper Items
Discovering a chunk to flip might be difficult while you’re first beginning out. I didn’t need something too difficult, so I went to a thrift retailer and picked up a seemingly easy espresso desk with minimal particulars. Retaining it easy was the fitting thought, however I used to be too inexperienced to comprehend that it was coated in a number of layers of paint that I must strip and sand down. To keep away from this, I’d suggest getting a chunk with no paint, that means seen wooden grain. That method, you already know you’re beginning with a clean canvas.
Beginning small with one thing like a espresso desk is a good thought; You don’t need to danger committing to a giant mission after which deciding it’s not for you. You’re additionally much less more likely to run into main repairs with a smaller piece. Different starter-friendly items embrace nightstands, bar stools, small desks, or bookshelves.
![refurbished nightstand tables](https://mlsjoxwh2dv5.i.optimole.com/cb:fJ2b~7176/w:1024/h:683/q:eco/f:best/https://finmasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/refurbished-nightstand-tables.jpg)
![refurbished nightstand tables](https://mlsjoxwh2dv5.i.optimole.com/cb:fJ2b~7176/w:1024/h:683/q:90/f:best/https://finmasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/refurbished-nightstand-tables.jpg)
What to Look For
To maximise income, it’s essential to determine what’s well-liked in your space.
Right here in Atlanta, Georgia, Mid-Century Fashionable, and Vintage Farmhouse furnishings sells the most effective in my expertise. However reputation and itemizing costs differ from place to position. A straightforward strategy to determine this out is to spend a while on Fb Market and see what sort of furnishings is well-liked in your space. I additionally suggest occurring Instagram and looking out up native hashtags.
Study to identify types like these:
- Mid-Century Fashionable (MCM)
- Artwork Deco
- Farmhouse
- Apothecary
- Boho
To seek out native furnishings flippers right here in Georgia, I search the hashtags #Georgiafurnitureflipper or #ATLfurnitureartist. It will help you see what works for different native artists.
Nonetheless, one of the best ways to seek out out what sells and what doesn’t is simply to check out totally different types. It might take a couple of initiatives to determine not solely what sells greatest but additionally what you get pleasure from doing. Be affected person with your self, and don’t get discouraged in case you don’t discover it immediately. Begin by on the lookout for the most well-liked types of furnishings and work off of that. The remaining will come.
One other factor to search for when buying a chunk is its total situation. Bedbugs and termites might be potential issues with 2nd hand furnishings, and in case you work and retailer your items in a single area as I do, a bug infestation would imply an entire shutdown! Bugs apart, the standard of a chunk can be essential. For those who don’t know already, you’ll shortly get to know the distinction in supplies equivalent to actual wooden, veneer, particle board, and the types. These items aren’t a deciding issue for me in the case of whether or not or not I’d flip it, however they do assist when pricing your completed merchandise. Injury, nonetheless, is a deciding issue.
![refurbished bar cabinet](https://mlsjoxwh2dv5.i.optimole.com/cb:fJ2b~7176/w:683/h:1024/q:eco/f:best/https://finmasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/refurbished-bar-cabinet.jpg)
![refurbished bar cabinet](https://mlsjoxwh2dv5.i.optimole.com/cb:fJ2b~7176/w:683/h:1024/q:90/f:best/https://finmasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/refurbished-bar-cabinet.jpg)
Damaged furnishings is actually a part of the method. You’ll ultimately discover ways to make repairs and repair belongings you by no means thought you’d have the ability to repair, however some harm just isn’t definitely worth the time it takes to restore. That is decided by private desire, your restore abilities, and the way a lot time and vitality you’re prepared to expend on one flip.
The place to Hunt for Furnishings
I personally get most of my items from Fb Market. It’s an awesome place to seek out distinctive items for an inexpensive value. Sellers on this platform are often prepared to barter, so don’t be afraid to haggle for a greater value. I additionally suggest going to locally-owned thrift shops in your space. This lets you assist assist native companies whereas additionally getting an awesome deal on furnishings. Locations like Goodwill aren’t your greatest wager as of late. With inflation being so excessive, it takes away from doable income.
Professional Tip: Give your self a most funds when on the lookout for furnishings. For instance, a funds cap of $50 per piece will assist maximize income and maintain issues inexpensive.
Property gross sales are additionally an awesome choice! Property gross sales are possible to provide nice reductions, particularly in the direction of the top of their sale. Be sure additionally to regulate the roadsides. Persons are at all times trying to do away with stuff and can typically depart previous furnishings on the aspect of the road free of charge!
Individuals typically don’t know what they’ve. So do your analysis and attempt to maintain an eye fixed out for useful items. The Google Lens App is a good instrument for this. Simply take a photograph of the piece and seek for it with the app. It’ll deliver up comparable gadgets and their pricing.
Promoting Your Furnishings
Discovering items and making them look their greatest is essential, however promoting is the place you make your revenue. Listed below are some key elements.
The Significance of Staging
Staging. Is. All the pieces. Staging your items properly could make the distinction between making a sale and never making a sale. By “staging,” I don’t imply protecting your piece with artwork and decor gadgets. I not often use gadgets when staging my items. I’ve discovered that a very powerful issue when taking good images of your items is lighting.
For a extra detailed tutorial on staging, try my Youtube video on the subject.
Fascinating Truth: Most Flippers expertise a seasonal lull of their gross sales and discover that the most effective time for gross sales is fall and winter.
The caliber of your staging may enhance your income, which brings me to my subsequent subject… pricing.
How one can Worth Your Items
When pricing your items, there are a number of elements to take into accounts. Listed below are three issues to think about while you calculate pricing:
Hourly Fee
Your time is efficacious. The hours that you just spend on a chunk are the primary issue that you just wish to take into accounts when pricing your items. Hold an in depth log that features pick-up and drop-off time, the time you spent engaged on the piece, and the time you spent gathering supplies. If you begin doing commissions, additionally, you will embrace the time it took to seek out the piece. A very good beginning hourly is $30/hour, however worth your time as you see match.
Supplies
This subsequent one is far more easy. It’s the price of the supplies that you just used. You wish to guarantee that none of those prices are popping out of your pocket and can be coated within the value. These are the reoccurring prices that we talked about earlier: Paint, sandpaper, brushes, and many others. It additionally contains the value of the piece itself. That is simply calculated by including the whole lot collectively. I often add a couple of {dollars} to cowl taxes.
Fashion Recognition
The worth of a chunk might be affected by the recognition of the fashion. Wanting up a chunk on-line to see the unique value is a good way to do that. You possibly can’t count on to get the unique value, however it’s a good barometer to work from. So after including up numbers 1 and a couple of, do analysis on the piece that you just’re engaged on and add a bit on the highest. I typically add a bit greater than I count on to get to go away room for negotiation. For Antiques or MCM items, you’re extra possible going to fetch a better value by restoring than refurbishing.
Restoring vs. Refurbishing
The definition of restoring is within the phrase. It’s while you restore a chunk of furnishings to its authentic state.
Refurbishing is a blanket time period for any sort of adjustments made to furnishings. This could embrace restoring however nearly at all times refers to portray.
The place to Promote Your Furnishings
Promoting your furnishings has by no means been simpler. There are such a lot of totally different modes to do it. The 2 hottest methods to promote are Fb Market and Etsy. Fb Market is extra accessible and lets you settle for the fee strategies that greatest swimsuit you, however you possibly can attain a wider viewers and fetch a greater value on Etsy.
On Fb Market, your viewers is often made of individuals trying to get a deal. With Etsy, the clientele is far more particular and often expects to pay a excessive value for a chunk of furnishings. The one draw back with Etsy is delivery, which might be very intimidating at first, however after years of doing it now, I now not see it as a draw back however as a bonus.
Transport
Transport furnishings takes the work of supply off your palms and into the palms of the provider. When you get previous the intimidation of delivery, it would most likely be the simplest a part of flipping furnishings.
For extra recommendation on delivery furnishings, try my video on YouTube, the place I inform you all about my technique of delivery furnishings: Uship.
Uship is a tremendous service that works like Uber, in the sense that anybody with a truck can signal as much as be a driver.
It’s totally different as a result of it lets you set your asking value, select which driver you’d prefer to work with based mostly on rankings and expertise and lets you get free estimates on your cargo. It additionally supplies insurance coverage choices to cowl your cargo in case of accidents.
At the start of my profession, I instantly opened up my enterprise to Etsy, and I credit score plenty of my success to this. Not solely did it assist me enhance the amount of cash I might make, nevertheless it additionally helped me get commissions from folks everywhere in the nation! These elements mixed all led me from turning my aspect hustle into one thing I might make right into a full enterprise.
So let’s discuss how a lot you could make.
How A lot Cash Can I Make?
Now earlier than I am going into the numbers, I do wish to say that the cash you make relies upon not solely on the piece and what you do to it but additionally on the place you reside and your private market.
With that mentioned, I do know furnishings flippers everywhere in the nation in excessive and low markets who all make a dwelling doing what I do.
I will even say once more that Etsy removes any limitations of native markets, and I can not suggest it sufficient! However let’s get began, we could?
![Refurbished dresser](https://mlsjoxwh2dv5.i.optimole.com/cb:fJ2b~7176/w:683/h:1024/q:eco/f:best/https://finmasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/refurbished-dresser.jpg)
![Refurbished dresser](https://mlsjoxwh2dv5.i.optimole.com/cb:fJ2b~7176/w:683/h:1024/q:90/f:best/https://finmasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/refurbished-dresser.jpg)
After I was first beginning out, I used to be charging anyplace between $150-$400 a chunk, relying on the dimensions. With the value of supplies, I used to be profiting round $125-$375. That is about common right here in my space. Due to my YouTube channel, I used to be on a schedule of getting to publish a weekly video, so I held myself to a chunk per week, giving me time to edit and publish my movies. Provided that value vary and productiveness, I averaged about $1000 a month.
This isn’t a livable wage for most individuals. However it’s most likely the place you possibly can count on to start out as a starting furnishings flipper. As your small business grows and you discover your fashion, you possibly can start to cost extra, and you’ll begin to get commissions. Commissions are the bread and butter of any furnishings flipper. You possibly can cost extra since you are assembly another person’s specs as a substitute of your personal, and you’re spending extra money and time to get them precisely what they’re on the lookout for.
For my first commissioned piece ever, I bear in mind squealing at the truth that I used to be charging $800, together with the value of the piece and supplies! It was my greatest revenue but, $575! I used to be ecstatic. Now, solely two years later, I’m profiting over 3x that quantity from one fee. That is additionally simply the way in which that I do issues. Do not forget that commissions should not for everybody, and you may simply as simply make upwards of $2000 a month by doing a number of straightforward flips per week with a fast turnaround. That is the place I see most flippers making larger income.
Notice: I like what I do and don’t do it only for a fast buck. That is one thing that helps me specific myself, and thus, I want to take my time with items and create artwork. That is typically a detriment because it takes me longer to complete a chunk and limits my output and, due to this fact, my earnings. For this reason I exploit issues like social media and YouTube to complement my earnings when enterprise is gradual or I’m between commissions.
Don’t underestimate the ability of social media!
Social media might be your greatest instrument if you know the way to make use of it. It may be used to unfold the phrase about your small business, get commissions, purchase extra patrons, get passive earnings, and likewise assist you to get model offers with firms that provides you with free supplies equivalent to paint, instruments, and different requirements and will ultimately pay you to publish about their model!
There are three most important platforms that I feel are absolute must-haves on the planet of Social Media. These apps have helped my profession develop exponentially and have helped me make a passive earnings on high of what I make from flipping furnishings.
1. YouTube
In my expertise, YouTube is the most effective platform for passive earnings. Whereas it’s plenty of work to take care of a video schedule with a monetization requirement of 1000 subscribers and 4000 watch/hours, that is probably the most accessible strategy to begin making a living from advert income. The video schedule can be helpful as a result of it ensures that you’re doing no less than 4 items a month.
2. TikTok
TikTok is nice for a number of causes. It reaches a youthful viewers, drives site visitors to your different platforms, and develops model curiosity. It’s additionally an awesome place to do analysis on profitable video codecs. Studying what sort of movies catch consideration will assist you to throughout all platforms.
3. Instagram
Instagram is a must have for a contract artist. I exploit it as an internet site, as a self-promotion, and as a strategy to get model offers. That is the place I’ve had probably the most success and the place I’ve gotten probably the most model offers.
I credit score plenty of my success to Furnishings Flipping Challenges. These are set challenges placed on by particular furnishings flippers, and being concerned in these will assist your social media develop exponentially! They will even assist get you concerned with different new and skilled furnishings flippers. To seek out these, search for hashtags life, #furnitureflipchallenge, #uglyducklingchallenge, or something of the like.
At this level, chances are you’ll wonder if model offers and social media are actually that essential for furnishings flipping. Actually, it actually is dependent upon what you wish to do. For those who’re doing fast repairs and paint jobs and wish to put out a number of items per week, then social media is probably not essential to your small business and will turn into a nuisance that takes up an excessive amount of of your time. For those who plan on making this a enterprise that you’ll do for a very long time, social media will assist you to get there!
How one can Keep away from Burning Out
Actually, it’s almost not possible to keep away from burning out in some unspecified time in the future. Beginning a enterprise is tough! It’s costly, tense, and plenty of arduous work. Your funds will almost definitely be inconsistent, which might trigger plenty of stress, and in case you select to include social media, juggling your workload and creating content material generally is a lot to tackle.
However luckily, I’ve discovered a couple of useful options to assist maintain burnout at bay:
- Be affected person with your self. Don’t count on an excessive amount of too quick. Set affordable targets and expectations.
- Deal with furnishings types that you’re enthusiastic about. It will assist maintain issues enjoyable and fascinating for you.
- Have set break day. When beginning a enterprise, it’s straightforward to get misplaced within the work and never take a break. So take no less than at some point per week to dedicate to relaxation, or do one thing enjoyable!
- Train! I can not suggest this sufficient! Take the time and be lively! Not solely does it assist with bodily well being, nevertheless it’ll additionally enhance your psychological well being, which is a MUST while you personal your personal enterprise. Yoga, cardio, the fitness center, swimming, or perhaps a easy 15 min. stretch within the morning. Something!
- If lists assist you to, maintain an inventory of your schedule, and I extremely suggest retaining a record of all of your shoppers, the piece you’re engaged on for them, and the value you quote them.
- Hold a log of the whole lot! Each receipt, each mile pushed, each penny spent. It will assist you to sooner or later with taxes and in case you do determine to make this a critical enterprise.
- Become involved with different furnishings flippers on social media, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most flippers, in my expertise, are more than pleased to assist.
On the finish of the day, love your self. Be pleased with all of the little accomplishments, large or small, and have a good time them. You’re beginning one thing, and that’s greater than lots of people can say.
It’s Solely the Starting!
There isn’t a higher feeling on the planet than with the ability to assist your goals with your personal enterprise! The power to work at home set your personal hours, and decide your personal earnings are just some of the advantages of beginning your personal Furnishings Flipping Enterprise.
I perceive that it may be intimidating, particularly in case you haven’t carried out it earlier than. However with these instruments and insights, I hope that you just really feel extra impressed, empowered, and motivated to stay the life you need by doing what you need. Simply bear in mind, I used to make lots of, and now I make hundreds. All of us begin someplace. The essential factor is that you just begin.
“I’m an Actor, and I personal my very own enterprise.” It By no means will get previous.
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