Meet Cindy Conner!

(Cindy on the far right, with daughters Abbie and Lindsay and mom Marilyn)

When Luke and I started Pretty in Paint, we knew the Lord was calling us to take a big risk! Now, we are entering a new season, with new risks, and we couldn't be happier to be passing the baton to Cindy Conner, who is buying the shop. She is a light and a joy to those around her, and we feel confident those things will spill over into her future ownership of the store. We talked with Cindy recently, because we wanted to share some of her heart here on the blog. We also wanted our readers to get to know her, before they see her friendly face in the shop!

Why did you decide now was the right time to pursue this change?

     

If anyone had told me even a few months ago that I would be in the throes of buying a business today, I would literally have laughed out loud.  While I've entertained thoughts of creating a business that carried on where our Barnstormer event left off, everything I wanted always ended up too similar to Pretty in Paint.  Mindy and Luke are my friends and I never wanted to be in any kind of competition with them. My heart was incredulous that this is the right time, and it quickly became evident to me that God was calling me to something I never saw coming. I had to be obedient and jump off that proverbial cliff in faith.....it was nothing short of terrifying.  I don't do things like this, I'm much more of a dreamer than an actual doer.  This is eons beyond my comfort zone. So while I was physically screaming NOOOO, my heart was saying 'I think you can do this'!

What are you most excited for in the future of the store?

The foundations that Mindy and Luke have laid will not change, and that has me excited. The other aspect would be relationships. As I've been in the store the last several days learning the daily operations, it's been especially gratifying to meet so many people.  I'm excited to see how these relationships will grow. I'm also excited about our team of employees.  Jami, Lynda and Tami are staying on, and I love these women. I'm incredibly happy to also get to work with my own family.  My daughter Abbie is going to be our manager, and Lindsay is feverishly working to get the website up and running, while expanding our online sales.  Heather (the current manager) has been so gracious and loving as she imparts so much wisdom, and is tirelessly training Abbie and myself.   

Can you briefly describe your journey to this point in your life?

     

I've spent my life raising our five wonderful kids. Those kids have now blessed us with twelve grandkids, and in May, we will welcome our very first great-grandchild. My husband helps fight firefighters with an airplane, and flies warbirds in his spare time. Seven years ago, we bought my husband's family farm, and I have logged quite a few hours on tractors and digging irrigation line...becoming a shopkeeper is going to be a huge and welcome change. My daughter Lindsay (McPhail) and I started Barnstormers Vintage Fair in 2012 - it is a family affair managed now with the help of daughter Abbie (Lasota) and granddaughter Morgan(DiBetta), and my mother in law Marilyn (Conner), as well as close family friends Dawn and Kyndall Wiley.  We are strong women with a heart for other women.  It makes perfect sense to me now that Pretty in Paint will be our next step, and I know the skills I have learned in the last several years will make the transition a great one. 

  

Any scripture or quotes you'd like to share that pertain to this journey?

I always feel a bit ashamed when I'm surprised by God. Our finite spirits tend to try to contain Him, even limit Him. About midway through our journey, Mindy and I had a similar experience on the same day.  She had an actual dream about Abraham and Isaac. I had more of a daydream about Sarah and her reaction when she was told she would have a baby.  Sarah didn't lack faith in what God could do, but she did doubt what He could do through her.  I am at a point in my life where I'm almost ready for social security.  My friends are talking of retiring and here God has presented me with this "baby" and I'm going to work full-time.  I think the appropriate verse would be Genesis 18:12 (NLT) So she laughed silently to herself and said "How can a worn out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my husband is also old."  This truly does make my husband and I laugh.  We are relieved God has called us to buy a business, rather than a have a baby!

What should customers know as this change takes place?

I feel incredibly honored that Mindy is going to stand close by for awhile, and teach me about ordering/inventory, and our inventory will remain the same, trusted items that you know and love! I am also happy to hear new ideas about things that people hope to see in the store, and I will be in the store nearly everyday. I believe the community and culture that Mindy has started is so important.  Women need other women.  There is so much ugliness and hatefulness in this world.  I am proud to take ownership in something aesthetically pleasing, but also  something that has a heart rooted in ministry. I hope it always feels like a safe place where a person will always know they are welcome.  The shop sells things that help people make their house a home, where they gather together with family and friends and sometimes even strangers, and that's called hospitality.  Relationship starts with hospitality and I want hospitality to be instant when a person steps through the door...I am so thrilled to be buying the store!