Meet Larissa Christine-May | Owner & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Larissa Christine-May and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Larissa, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in the small town of Brooklyn, MI.

I was a little girl who was emotionally and mentally abused while hiding family secrets that hurt my mind and heart for many years.

I would stay in my bedroom a lot. That is where I was able to be creative and dream of what I wanted my walls and floors to look like. I would wait till everyone went to sleep and then rearranged my room. It was an outlet that I had control over. I could dream for hours of what I wanted or how to style it.

To this day, I still dream up new ideas instead of gaining inspiration from Instagram or Pinterest.

Though it was very lonely and depressing times in my childhood, it created so much inspiration inside my soul that has always stayed apart of who I am.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Small business isn’t easy and I found its often not spoken about outloud, of the challenges we all face until you start sharing your own experiences.

I’m most proud of our originality in style and ideas. I often see ideas I worked very hard on, styling or new opportunities to my area that then become what others offer because they seen my success.

In the small business world, it’s hard to set yourself apart from those following close behind. However, I feel as though I’m always one step ahead because my mind is so full of new ideas, that ultimately set us apart.

The lessons I’ve learned is, unfortunately not everyone supports you. Those who receive free items, won’t give you a shout out from their platform. Those that don’t support your business, will be the first to comment for a giveaway. You may want to share your business secrets with fellow business owners, but if you ever ask, their answers aren’t free. And those that know you, want a better deal. It’s hard balancing being an Owner when your heart is so giving while also trying not to get taken advantage of.

Our branding has been the same for 5 years with a modern farmhouse vibe, I’m excited to offer a different style soon with rustic edge!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Jackson County is my main go-to!

I would start my morning with a coffee from Vito’s followed by breakfast at Roxy Cafe. Roxy is a small and cozy, well known restaurant with the best breakfast!

You can explore Bright Walls downtown and look at all the amazing paintings with plenty of picture opportunities.

Some of my favorite places to shop downtown are Jackson Candle Company. She’s the nicest most humble business owner I’ve ever experienced with all local items!

Windy Hill Creations is fun to explore with something for everyone!

Nite Lights is one of my favorite downtown restaurants to grab a bite to eat and drink.

If you want a good time, definitely stop at Tilted Arcade Bar for drinks and to shoot pool or play pinball!

And if you’re up for a small drive, head to Brooklyn to Come to Your Effin Senses for good smells and profanity where if you have a good sense of humor, you’ll be a repeat customer!

Don’t forget Angel’s Floral for some fresh flowers or a unique plant to take back home!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We simply wouldn’t be, without my good friend, Hannah, and fellow business owner.

She is who pushed our business idea onto us when I absolutely was not interested in putting myself or work out there. She taught me so much about social media, marketing and more.

She is also the only small business friend that I have that is willing to answer any questions while also supporting our business with many shootouts throughout the years. Thats very hard to find, in my experience in the last couple years.

I am so grateful for her!

Instagram: Wildflowersandcofurniture

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FarmhouseCharmShoppe?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits
Holly Clark Photography (photo of myself only)