A SMALL BUSINESS, A BIG DREAM

After a tough journey of infertility and many traumatic pregnancy losses, we were finally blessed with the birth of our incredible son in March 2020. At that time I was working as a 911 operator/dispatcher and the plan was to take maternity leave and then return to work as normal. Well, if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans! Little did I know a whole different life was planned for me. Our son had a heart condition that was discovered during the pregnancy; this meant NICUs, ICUs, monitors, medications and many visits to different specialists during the pregnancy and his first year. I decided to take an extended leave of absence, as doctors expected him to outgrow his condition by the time he was one. The loss of my income meant many changes ahead. We sold our home and hunkered down in a tiny apartment. Between being a first time mom, having a child with medical issues, the pandemic (and the isolation that came with it), the loss of half our income and the sale of our home all within 3 months it was a very challenging and uncertain time. As the year went on things started to settle, my sons condition was improving and I was happily preparing to return to work BUT, then came the next big suprise....I was pregnant again! Here came another high-risk pregnancy with lots of monitoring, bed rest and complications. I extended my leave from work again, we rode the storm out and our beautiful daughter was born. I was relieved and overwhelmed all at once! At this time we had to make a decision - do I still return to work or stay home? Two babies in 15 months, recovering from the physical complications, my son still needing extra monitoring, the pandemic causing childcare shortages and the high cost of childcare for two children outside of "normal" working hours...we decided it didn't make sense for me to return to work, so I resigned from the department. That decision was extremely challenging for me. I enjoyed my career, I took great pride in it, I was good at it and it was such a big part of who I am. I was thankful to be home with my children but the fact was I never "planned" on being a stay-at-home mom and I was mourning the loss of my career, my financial independence, my freedom....my former life. I decided it was beat to give myself something to focus on other than just being a wife a mom. So, I started getting furniture from yard sales, marketplaces, thrift stores and after the kids went to bed at night I'd head to the garage for some "me" time. Furniture, design, architecture, interiors has always been a hobby of mine. My whole life I had seen these beautiful magazine ads, model homes and design shows. I wanted to have these beautiful furniture pieces in my home but I couldn't afford it - so, I learned how to do it myself! After the kids were born and I started refinishing more often I quickly realized I wanted this to be something more than just a hobby. I was in love with the process of "rescuing" furniture and everything that it involves! I was hooked on the thrill of finding a new piece and transforming it into something that doesn't exist ANYWHERE else, so that it may be enjoyed for many more years. So, Nostalgic Revival was born! In a matter of a week I formed my business, got my permits and licenses, set up a website, purchased all the necessary equipment and a few things of paint, set up shop in my garage...and got to work! I prayed everyday for guidance on whether to keep going or quit and it was miraculous how things unfolded! Now I have a retail space here in Murrieta, inside of a boutique alongside other strong, motivated entrepreneurs! I am a retailer for some of my most favorite paint products, I have furniture clients across the US, I get to do something I truly enjoy....all while still getting to be with my kids everyday! I will never have to miss a birthday, event or holiday with them. The struggle that I went through when I made the decision to walk from my career is what inspired me to create The Revival Reward. Every aspiring entrepreneur deserves a chance; whether its to succeed or to fail. There are so many people out there with great ideas, but they just don't have the funds to START; the stay-at-home mom that wants a side hustle to help provide, the corporate guy who is tired of missing dinner because of his long commute and everybody in between. 3% of all profits are placed into a fund and every year Nostalgic Revival gifts the funds to an aspiring entrepreneur! If you truly read this far THANK YOU.....and why are you obsessed with me? 😉 #supportsmallbusiness 🖤 Niki

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