Several years ago, when painted furniture rose in popularity, Jeannie Cox just had to try it. Her first project was a small side table that she found a delight to do and it turned out great. She laughs and says, “Of course there were many disasters along the way!”
The best-kept secret of success is that failure is part of the formula.
Cox was raised in Big Ridge and has always called Union County her home. She began her career working for many years as a beautician. Cox later returned to school for nursing and worked in dermatology. During that time, she had taken over the family garage as her workshop and created beautifully painted furniture, spending her nights and weekends working on this labor of love.
Cox had two sales booths in Knoxville that she kept stocked with her reworked treasures. Finally, she moved out of the garage and opened the first Rustic-Re-Do in the summer of 2016. Her needs outgrew that location so Rustic-Re-Do moved down the road to its current location at 2917 Maynardville Hwy.
The new shop offers plenty of room for her to paint and display her creations. For Cox, success is being able to do what you love and pay your bills, and tuck a little bit away. She says it’s about being happy with how you spend your days, and she is much happier when she gets home now, which is better for everyone.
Cox certainly could have taken her business to Knoxville, but after commuting to work for several years she enjoyed the prospect of working and creating a new business right here where she lives. Her biggest challenge as a new entrepreneur was getting customers into the store for the first time. Of course, Facebook has helped with exposure and informing the community regarding what is available.
Cox is thankful for her customers who place their trust in her having a hand in their home décor and is delighted that most of her clients who request custom work come back for more.
Cox is ever-thankful for her very supportive husband, Neal Pollard, who is a team partner and helps however he can; she gratefully says she couldn’t have done it without him. While her work brings much pleasure and satisfaction, Cox says the highlight of her week is Sunday afternoon dinners with family. She has two children and her third grandchild is due in July.
Her advice to others considering opening a business in Union County is that it just takes time; you have to be patient and you must also be welcoming and good to your patrons.
When it comes to pricing, Cox is always fair and uses the assessment, “What would I pay?”
Once she opened her local shop, Cox closed the booths in Knoxville and is now operating exclusively in Union County. However, when COVID forced her to shut her doors for several months, she pivoted to Facebook Live sales which generally happen Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. (although not every week).
You can like and follow her Facebook page to get instant notifications when she goes live. The live sales got her through some tough times, but she is incredibly thankful for the custom work as it represents 60 percent of her business. She attributes her staying power to the grace of God, and the steady stream of custom orders for which she is currently a few months out.
She hopes to see Union County continue to grow, and adds, “It’s always good to keep money in the county. When you shop local you help your neighbor.”
She looks forward to seeing more businesses spring up in our community.
Rustic-Re-Do is now located at 2917 Maynardville Highway and is open Tuesday - Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone: (865)257-4540