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Local Economic Development Stories across Canada

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Meet Funky Junk

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, or so the saying goes. For Joanne Dooley-Butler and Emma Dooley, owners of Funky Junk in Conception Bay South, that’s not just a saying, it’s a business opportunity. Of course, the odd dumpster dive is just part of the job when you’re building a DIY empire.

 

Funky Junk was started in 2015 by mother and daughter duo Joanne Dooley-Butler and Emma Dooley. Joanne was always artistic, known for painting everything from the walls to even the fridge, and the two have always enjoyed making and being creative together. Soon the hobby turned into a side hustle, and today it’s a full-time job!

 

Doing What You Love

“After working other jobs for so many years, and really just working for a paycheque, it is such an amazing feeling to love getting up to go to work and do something you love,” Joanne says. “Our business is driven by our passion as we adore what we do. Work never feels like work and we are so proud of what we have been able to create and provide for ourselves.”

 

After a few years of upcycling and remaking beautiful furniture and craft pieces and selling them, the mother-daughter duo began retailing their favourite paints. More recently they have opened a storefront shopping experience with a workshop where they can offer classes, events, and even rent out the space to other artists where they can also teach their craft.

 

You Can’t DIY Everything

This family business is a dream come true for Emma and Joanne, but when they needed help to grow, they accessed programming from the CBDC.

 

“We would not have been able to make our vision a reality had we not had the help and amazing support from CBDC,” says Joanne. “We were able to get all of the supplies to make new items, complete our renovations, and to fill our store with products and home decor items that make us happy and that our customers like too!”

 

Artistic Expression

The Funky Junk gals are just as creative with their business as they are with the furniture and home decor pieces they make. They’ve consistently been within the top three retailers of Country Chic Paint in North America with goals to grow more.

 

“We love that we have the freedom to be as creative as we want,” Emma says. “Whether it's planning a class, doing a new display in the store, or a fun way to market our business. We get to be 100% ourselves and do it our way.”