In this episode of 'Small Town Big Business,' hosts Jennifer Olson and Russell Williams interview business partners Anne Watts and Tyler Larson, owners of Restoration & Decor in Carterville, Illinois. Anne and Tyler share their journey of starting and growing their business, which specializes in refinishing and creating custom cabinets, furniture, and epoxy countertops. They discuss the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, their passion for creativity, and the importance of upcycling and maintaining quality. The conversation highlights their deep roots in their hometown, the support from family, and the community collaboration that has helped their business thrive. The episode also provides insights into the latest trends in restoration and decor.00:00 Welcome to Small Town Big Business00:50 Meet Anne Watts and Tyler Larson01:04 The Origin Story of Restoration and Decor02:22 Creative Inspirations and Backgrounds03:54 Services Offered by Restoration and Decor05:59 The Move to a Retail Storefront08:43 Community and Networking in Carterville11:05 Challenges and Rewards of Entrepreneurship12:31 Day-to-Day Operations and Support13:33 Customer Engagement and Industry Trends14:33 Exploring the Vintage Furniture Trend15:12 Scaling the Business and Managing Trends16:01 Quality and Upcycling in Furniture16:34 Balancing Restoration and Customization17:51 Challenges and Rewards of Furniture Design18:36 Sustainability and Repurposing Materials19:35 Current Trends in Furniture Colors20:16 Favorite and Least Favorite Parts of the Job22:31 Managing Kitchen Redesigns23:51 Future Growth and Online Presence26:51 Personal Stories and Business Motivation28:03 Conclusion and Sponsor AcknowledgementsRecorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://restorationanddecor.com/