I’m so excited to introduce you to Chicago’s best interior design secret – MegMade.
If you are new to Cedar & Rush, Work Smarter, Not Harder (WSNH) showcases Chicago’s leading ladies – think CEO’s, entrepreneurs, and everyday women making a difference – and how they work smarter, not harder. Enjoy!
Today’s Work Smarter, Not Harder Feature has me dancing with glee.
Meet MegMade
Meg Piercy – the woman and mother behind MegMade. Have you heard of her? If not, Meg and her company have been blowing up all over Chi-town. She turns old furniture into the glossiest, chicest and happiest decor you’ve ever seen. Her motto is “Furniture with Purpose” and her customized pieces are one-of-a-kind make a statement that last forever. Sign. Us. Up.
I first discovered Meg through Liz Adam’s adorable nursery (the blogger behind Sequins & Stripes). Then since found her through Alex Kaehler’s crazy amazing interior design portfolio, Wandeleur, The Everygirl, Hello Baby Magazine and many more.
I’ve spent hours browsing through her before and afters on Instagram and blog. So if you need to kill some time, you now know MegMade is where it’s at.
Her business started by accident, but I’ll let her tell the story. Meg, take it away little lady!
Meg, please tell us what you do.
I founded and manage a furniture restoration business called MegMade just over two years ago. We specialize in taking vintage furniture and painting it or restoring it! We now have interior design and full upholstery services as well! We are based out of Chicago, but but have shipped to over 30 states already!
How did you get to where you are today?
I kind of tripped into the industry that I am currently in when we painted our sons changing table, but the years of business experience I had prior definitely helped me to turn a hobby into a business. When we first began we were hand painting every piece in our home. Since then, we have hired professional refinishers who have taken our quality level to the highest degree. Now the challenge isn’t finding pieces and finishing them beautifully, but getting our name out there. That is what I now focus on.
What time do you get up?
I usually get up between 6 and 6:30 AM. I try to get up before the littles but they are super early risers. So they are normally my alarm clock. My oldest, who is 3.5, comes into our room and shouts “I’m awake,” every morning.
How do you take your coffee and what’s for breakfast?
I love my Nespresso machine. Best thing ever! I typically try to make something healthy for breakfast, but with two littles, sometimes it is just grabbing a banana on my way out the door! Never forget the coffee though.
Quickly walk us through your morning routine:
Ideally, I can get up before the boys and have a little of me time to get my thoughts together before crazy sets in. I like to shower, get dressed and have a coffee before the kids wake up and then start work when I get to work. Morning time is dedicated to the kiddos getting loved on. We really try to have home time be family time and then work really smart at work to get it all done before we head home. It is important to me not to lose these early childhood years because I am too busy.
What is the best way to get your foot in the door of your dream job?
I think what helped me most is that I interned a lot while I was in college. I interned 2 days a week for a large PR firm and went to school 3 days a week. It made my resume stand out against others right out of college. I would also say that networking is HUGE, especially in today’s culture! Don’t be afraid to ask for an introduction and then always do more than what is asked of you, even if just a little to make yourself stand out!
What resources do you use to stay organized and remember tasks?
I use this organizer called The Daily Docket (it’s a free download too!). It organizes me for work, home, future tasks and even has a section to make sure I am working out and drinking enough water. I love it! Changed my life! Then of course my iPhone calendar is a lifesaver.
What mistake do you see people constantly make that they should be aware of?
I think that entitlement is probably one of the things that frustrates me most. I think it is a huge mistake for people to think that anyone who has achieved success hasn’t had to fight for it! It take a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Get in the game, work hard and get your hands dirty, it’s so worth it in the long run! So the opposite is the most appealing to me. People who are hard working, joyful, grateful and humble will always be my fave!
How do you conquer your inbox?
I used to answer my emails and MegMade’s emails. It was too much! Now, our manager answers the MegMade emails and I just handle mine for the most part, making it much more manageable. I try, key word being try, not to look at my email when I am on the go because if I do and I don’t respond immediately, those are the ones that fall through the cracks.
How do you format your emails?
I am someone who reads into the tone of emails way too much, so I try to be cognizant of that and start my emails off with a warm welcome. I am also known to love exclamation marks and smiley faces.
How do you make time for working out and staying healthy?
I kind of want to lie, but I wont. I will be honest! I love working out, but I get sidetracked if I go into work first. My husband jokes that each time I work out it is like $75 because we have a monthly and I go like every other month. Oops! I do eat really healthy though and am always on the move with two kids under four and a business that keeps me on my feet constantly. Getting a healthy work out routine is so important though and I am working on making it a priority!
What are your favorite tips for keeping an organized workspace?
Plan your day ahead of time or you will get behind and disorganized. That was the best pattern I ever established was knowing what I was going to do the next day before I got there. It helps me keep organized.
What other pieces of advice/tips can you share?
Find people you admire and respect and ask lots of questions. Don’t re-invent the wheel on everything, learn from the best!
Favorites:
Favorite Apps: Instagram, Chicago Parking App, Things and Google Maps
Favorite Resources: There are three or four design/business blogs at a time that I follow and I love Entrepreneur.com. They have great articles. Have you seen the show The Profit? That has some great takeaways too !
Favorite Books: I am a Christian, so I love my Bible, but I also really like eMyth by Michael Gerber and Rising Strong by Brene Brown.
Favorite Programs: I love The Profit, The Voice, Blacklist and anything on HGTV or the DIY network!
Favorite Websites: Houzz, Pinterest, Domaine and Domino for design and a quick news feed.
Favorite Gadget: For sure, my iPhone
Meg, thank you so much for taking time away from your littles and MegMade to be here today. Great tips and your personality is killer. I can’t wait to have one of your pieces in my own home someday. Keep up the amazing work. You go girl!
Want more? You can find all Work Smarter Not Harder posts right here.
First of all, what a cute family! I love exclamation marks too and painted furniture! I’d be in heaven working in that showroom. I’m happy to hear about this shop and I’ve put it in my Hunting and Gathering Notebook (my own little resource guide). Way to make your dreams come true while raising a family, thanks for sharing your story.
I loved this one! Great job! 🙂
I enjoyed reading this interview! Also, I checked out the Daily Docket- looks very helpful.
Ok, totally following her now. Wish I could of made it to the Christmas party to check it out!
Her pieces are beautiful! I loved what she said about planning her day the day before. I’m definitely working on doing this. I used to do it in the morning because I got to work early. Now that I work full time at my business at home once the kids are all at school half my morning is gone! So it’s so essential to do it the night before so I can just get to work once I’m home!