Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Van Dyke.
Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
So glad for the opportunity to introduce myself to you! I’m forever passionate about creating a living space that my family, my friends, and also I long to be in. It was a passion that started very young. When I was in middle school, I was an avid babysitter filling most of my free time and certainly every weekend with babysitting jobs. Unlike most kids my age, I would use the majority of the money I made, not for movies, Ice cream, and trendy clothes, but on vintage dowry linens, old baby clothes, and antique armoires.
The local antique shop in my town growing up knew me by name. Zach (my 5th-grade boyfriend and later high school sweetheart) and I got married young. We have always loved scouting antique stores and home shops for things that would make our home feel like us and to create a bright, easeful, and inspiring place for whoever graces us with their company.
As far as my “official” qualifications go, I have a degree in Merchandising and a minor in Art from Florida State University. Go Noles! Right out of college, I worked for Rachel Ashwell in California eventually managing the Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic in Malibu, California. Now after 17 years of being a full-time mom of 6, Zach and I are excited to fulfill a 20+ year dream of starting a home store together.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been exciting and daunting and scary at times but so far a worthwhile adventure as a family. We’ve opened at a time when furniture lead times are pretty extensive so that has been a challenge. But we love the furniture line we carry from Cisco Home.
Every piece is beautifully crafted and designed for ultimate comfort – handmade with extreme care for detail and all sustainable! So it’s worth the wait. We also were hit pretty hard by the flood waters of Hurricane Ian a few months after opening. Our entire row of shops was underwater for a few days. But it was great to see the community come out and support us when we were finally able to re-open.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been creating art since I was a kid. I love to escape in a palette of colors that draws me in so that I can express outwardly the beauty I’m surrounded by. It is very important to me that my shop (and my home) doesn’t just have quality and comfortable products but products that inspire creativity and capture the whimsical and lovely aspects of life.
I sell my paintings at the shop as well as lead monthly parties where I teach people how to paint a bottle of bubbly. We call it “Paint the Bubbly.” One of the things I love most about these parties is being able to call out the artist even in the most adamantly non-artist. We’ve done several parties and every bottle has turned out uniquely beautiful. I believe we are all artists. Sometimes we just need a nudge – a push towards freedom – to let the artist out!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Just do it. It will never be the perfect timing. It won’t go as planned. You will have to adapt and then adapt again only to realize you have to adapt another time. If you want to do it – if you are passionate about it – plan a little – but mostly just start!
Make sure you have a team of people around you (not necessarily paid) who will be a sounding board, counselor, cheerleader, and coach – because you will need people. It is very hard and can be very lonely so maybe my only caution about starting is to wait until you had a solid team that will have your back as you pursue your dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: eyrehome.com
- Instagram: @eyre.home
