THIS IS
My Story
How it all began...
My name is Jessica Smith and I am the sole owner and operator of Flippin’ Fabulous LLC. I currently reside in the small town of Wind Lake, Wisconsin. I am a mother, a wife, and a lover of life who designs and creates all things fabulous! I love what I do and love sharing my creative talents with others.
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had a passion for decorating and art. I always loved drawing and painting, and kept a stash of sketchbooks and paint supplies in my bedroom closet. Doing crafts was therapeutic for me and I performed best when I was being creative. As a young adult, I quickly learned that I had a passion for home décor and decorating. I often received many compliments on how beautifully decorated my home was.
Before I decided to launch my business in 2016, I felt stuck in a vicious work cycle in corporate America. I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I was burnt out. While talking with friends, family, and co-workers, I was oftentimes told that I had missed my calling. I knew I was at a turning point in my life, and that God had something bigger planned for me. God gave me the gift of creativity. After completing several months of research and self-reflection, I decided to quit my career of working 14+ years in the insurance industry to open my own business. I followed my dream of becoming an entrepreneur and starting my own company and thus, Flippin’ Fabulous LLC was born.
I decided to pursue my dream of being a full time artist and owning my own small business. I started out by renting a small booth inside a local antique mall in Waterford, Wisconsin. My main focus was creating handmade wood signs from repurposed wood. I started to learn the process of refinishing furniture, and my pieces moved quickly and I was addicted! My business was growing fast, so I decided to add a 2nd booth to the antique mall. From there, I expanded into several other locations in southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois. I decided to work with local artists on a consignment basis, and that helped my business grow and prosper.
When Covid hit in early 2020, I had to pivot my business in order to stay afloat, despite many other small businesses being forced to shut down and close doors. I did a ton of research, worked with a business mentor (Jennifer Allwood), and worked diligently on my website to move to e-commerce. I then launched my online shop. Fast forward to late spring of 2022, when I received the news that the location I called home to for 6 years (Waterford Unique Antique Market) was for sale and the owners were closing the business. I was not ready to close my business and knew I needed to pivot, yet again. I looked at a few potential locations but nothing caught my eye, until I came across the charming downtown area of Waukesha, Wisconsin. They say when one door closes another opens and this is exactly what happened in my case.
On September 16th, 2022, I opened the doors to Flippin’ Fabulous first brick & mortar storefront in Downtown Waukesha. I am the sole owner and operator of my small business boutique that features a curated selection refinished furniture, home décor, apparel, accessories, and gifts handmade by select artisans located in Wisconsin and the USA. Classes, workshops, and design consultation services are also available. I work with customers who need help decorating their home and finding unique and trendy home décor pieces while keeping their budget in mind. I worked hard to build my business from the ground up and continue to bring my customers, who I call my fabulous fans, fabulous finds from artists like myself and other small businesses. My goal is to bring you fabulous quality pieces at fair prices. It’s not just a house, it’s your home. Make it fabulous!
“Turning ordinary into extraordinary and drab into fab!”
Follow along on my creative journey!
City of Waukesha Chamber of Commerce (CWCC)
Thank you for supporting my small business!
Professional Memberships
Waukesha Downtown Business Association
City of Waukesha Chamber of Commerce
Executive Women’s Network
www.waukeshaworks.com/executive-womens-network.html
Awards & Recognition
2023 New Business Of The Year
Flippin' Fabulous In The Media
New Waukesha Parade Route ‘For All Parades’ In 2023
A Chance To Get Lucky At The Waukesha Art Crawl
Downtown Waukesha businesses report good holiday sales amid economic turmoil
Below Is A List Of Community-Driven Fundraising Events With Proceeds Going Toward The Waukesha Christmas Parade Memorial Fund
A Minute With Flippin’ Fabulous
Flippin’ Fabulous: New business selling refinished furniture and décor opens downtown
Waukesha Prepares For Darrell Brooks Trial
Community Sponsorships & Donations
11/11/23- Holiday Open House at Flippin’ Fabulous (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $50.70)
11/11/23- Battle Of Military Branches Veterans Tournament (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $50.75)
11/8/23- Plowshare Silent Auction (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $62.60)
10/27/23- Downtown Waukesha Business Association (WDBA) Silver Bells Supporter ($125 Monetary Donation)
10/21/23- Wauktober Beer & Wine Walk (Donated 2 raffle baskets with total retail value of $110.40)
10/12/23- Muskego Wrestling Fundraiser (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $72.65)
10/7/23 Vintage Shop Hop Fall Edition & Waukesha’s Plein Air Art Crawl #127 Donated raffle basket with retail value of $87.50)
9/16/23 – Flippin’ Fabulous One Year Celebration (Donated 6 raffle baskets with total retail value of $394.80)
9/8/23 Wisconsin Citizens Policy Academy Association (WCPAA) Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $99.75)
8/25/23- Downtown Waukesha Friday Night Live (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $59.85)
8/18/23- Downtown Waukesha Friday Night Live (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $67.80)
8/11/23- Downtown Waukesha Friday Night Live (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $44.75)
8/6/23 Cancer Benefit for Barb & Jerry Messick (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $67.95)
8/5/23- Waukesha’s Make It Take It Art Crawl (Donated raffle basket with $69.75 retail value)
8/4/23 Downtown Waukesha Friday Night Live (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $69.75)
6/23/23- Downtown Waukesha Friday Night Live (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $51.30)
6/16/23 Downtown Waukesha Friday Night Live (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $81.75)
6/9/23 Downtown Waukesha Friday Night Live (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $78.65)
6/7/23 Waukesha Fire Department Charity Golf Outing (Donated 2 Raffle Baskets: A men’s basket with a retail value of $101.55 and a women’s basket with a retail value of $98.75)
6/2/23- Downtown Waukesha Friday Night Live (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $53.70
6/2/23 Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) Child Development Center & Lab’s Family Festival: Rising Stars “Blue Sponsor” ($50 Monetary Donation)
5/20/23 Waukesha Civic Theatre 66th Season Auction Party (Donated raffle Basket with retail value of $102.50
4/30/23 Rose Glen Elementary School 61st Annual Chicken Barbeque & Raffle (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $68.55)
4/14/23 Waukesha Citizen’s Policy Academy Association Inc. Boots & Badges Basketball Challenge (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $111.65)
3/5/23 Spring Shop Hop & Get Lucky Art Crawl (Donated raffle basket with retail value of $103.50)
3/4/23 Waukesha Extreme Dance Team Annual Showcase (Donated raffle Basket with retail value of $100.50)
1/19/23 Waukesha Janboree Ice Sculpting Sponsor ($200 Monetary Donation)
1/5/23 Waukesha County Community Foundation ($1.062.14 Monetary Donation for proceeds from Waukesha Strong Products, donated directly to Waukesha Christmas Parade Memorial Fund)
12/4/22- City of Waukesha Chamber of Commerce 59th Annual Christmas Parade “Friend” Sponsor ($200); also donated 6% of daily sales ($40.07) in honor of the 6 deceased victims from 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade Attack) to the Waukesha County Community Foundation (Waukesha Christmas Parade Memorial Fund)
11/22/22 Waukesha Women’s Center (Donated fully decorated tree with retail value of $200) in Domestic Violence Awareness Theme, as well as basket with sanitary items for women in need, retail value of $56.90)
11/12/22- Plowshare Faire Trade Marketplace & Education for Peace “World of Good Fall Fundraiser “Friend for Peace” $100 Sponsor & also donated handmade sign with retail value of $49)
10/11/22 Downtown Waukesha Business Association (WDBA) Silver Bells “Major Contributor” ($200 Monetary Donation)
10/22/2222 Muskego Wrestling 1st Annual Sporting Clay Shooting Fundraiser ($100 Monetary Donation) as well as raffle basket with $75 retail value)
10/15/22 Donated 2 tickets to Wauktoberfest ($65.28) to winner of drawing; also donated raffle basket with retail value of $
10/4/22- Fall Shop Hop & Downtown Waukesha Art Crawl; donated raffle basket with retail value of $
9/16/22- Jonathan Moore Benefit (donated raffle basket with retail value of $138.30)
9/16/22- Flippin’ Fabulous Grand Opening Weekend; donated raffle basket with retail value of $
My Studio Office
Designed by yours truly, this is my “imagination station.”
My Workshop
This is where all the magic happens. All of my pieces are created inside my studio office and workshop.
Flippin' Fabulous Manifesto
I believe that your home is your sanctuary, and represents every aspect of your life. It should make you feel safe, secure, and grateful. A house is a place, but a home is a space that supports the absolute best version of you. Home is where your heart is, and you should always start each day with a grateful heart while remembering that each day is a gift and tomorrow is never promised.
I believe in the importance of family and friendships. I appreciate the friendships that have turned into family. Family comes first above all and I love my family more than anything else. My father gave me roots and my mother gave me wings, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my family and friends.
I strive to build a community over competition. Empowered women empower other women. I encourage other women to remain goal-oriented, strong, and self-sufficient. What I want for myself is what I want for others. I don’t support bullying or intimidation. There is room for everybody at the table. If you run out of room, then it’s time to build a bigger table. I am never too busy to help anyone struggling. I will continue to do what I can using the resources that I have. I believe it is important to help others and give back when possible.
I believe in working hard and staying humble. It is important to reflect back on where you came from, staying humble in the journey, and continue to learn and grow to be your best self. It’s never too late to follow your dreams. Do what you love and love what you do. Dreams don’t work unless you do and nothing worthy comes easy. I believe it is important that you always stay true to yourself as authenticity cannot be replaced.
I believe kindness is priceless. No act of kindness, no ever how small, is ever wasted. Keep compassion and empathy in your heart. I try to help others when I can and live by the Golden Rule. In a world where you can be anything, be kind. I strive to do better, be better, and lead by example.
I believe in the importance of progress over perfection. Trust the Process. Be where you are today. I believe in pushing thru despite your failures, remembering your why, practicing gratitude daily for all that you have in the moment, and manifesting your dreams until they become a reality.
I believe in the importance of self-care. If you don’t take time for your wellness you will be forced to make time for your illness. I think it’s important to eat well, exercise often, and travel when I can. I try to live in the moment, slow down, and enjoy the little things in life, for most often, they are the big things. Everyone has the opportunity to be their own version of fabulous!
I believe in purpose. I believe in a higher power and following the signs along the way. I trust God’s plan for me. I strive to consistently add value to the lives of my customers. My goal is bring my customers fabulous quality pieces at affordable and fair prices while providing the best customer service possible. I believe in the power of shopping local and supporting small businesses whenever possible and embracing the American dream. I am committed to doing what I love and sharing my gifts and talents with others.
