From Home Projects to Human Connection
When I started my blog in 2011, it was meant to be a simple creative outlet — a space to document the before-and-afters of remodeling our home and refinishing furniture. I didn’t imagine it would become the foundation for a full-fledged business, let alone a brick-and-mortar retail store on the corner of a bustling Main Street.
But that’s exactly what happened.
What began as a passion for restoring spaces slowly grew into The Ironstone Nest, a brand centered on vintage home decor, hands-on workshops, and the transformative power of creativity. The more I shared — through blog posts, photos, and tutorials — the more people reached out. My first Instagram post went live on June 24, 2014, and from that point forward, my social presence became an extension of the store: a blend of design inspiration, behind-the-scenes moments, speaking engagements, and TV appearances.
But as the business grew, so did something else: my understanding of what truly mattered to me.
It wasn’t just about the furniture or the aesthetic. It was the people. The community. The conversations that unfolded across the checkout counter or during a paint workshop. It was the quiet, personal exchanges — when someone stopped in not just to browse, but to talk, to feel heard, or to seek a little encouragement. If I could offer even one person a reminder that they were seen, capable, or simply not alone in this big world — that was the most meaningful part of it all.
The relationships formed within those walls became the heartbeat of my business, The Ironstone Nest. And I’ve always believed that the why — the deeper purpose behind what we do — is the true pulse of any business. It’s not your product or your branding or even your profit margins that make something sustainable. It’s the reason you open your doors every day. It’s what people feel when they interact with you or your business. For me, that “why” was never just about selling a vintage piece or teaching a technique — it was about using creativity as a bridge to connect with people in a meaningful way. That’s what kept me going, and that’s what I couldn’t leave behind.
So when I sold the business in 2016 and moved to Atlanta, I carried that heartbeat with me. I knew I was closing a chapter, but I wasn’t ready to walk away from the deeper purpose that had emerged. That’s when I transitioned from The Ironstone Nest to lauradistin360 — a name that reflected the whole picture, not just a single part of my identity.
Because I’m not just one thing. None of us are.
Since stepping into this new chapter, I’ve been fortunate to work independently, taking on some incredible clients and projects over the past few years. That’s why, if you’ve followed along, you’ll occasionally see opinion pieces or reflections on business — because that’s part of my day-to-day life now, and I love sharing what I’ve learned.
And then there’s music — which has always been a pivotal part of my heart and soul. Live music, in particular, is where I feel most grounded and most alive. So yes, there will absolutely be music-related posts, thoughts, and reflections here too — because it’s all part of what makes me me.
As a storyteller on social media, I understand the pressure to stay in one lane — to “find your niche,” build a brand, and stick with it. But that’s never felt true to who I am or how I connect with others. Life isn’t linear, and I’ve never wanted to be boxed into a single subject. Some days I want to talk about business. Other days, about music, motherhood, creativity, or a story that simply needs to be told.
The heart behind everything I do hasn’t changed: I want to encourage people. I want to help others feel validated, inspired, or just a bit lighter — even if only for a moment. That’s always been the thread, whether I was refinishing furniture, running a storefront, or now, helping clients grow their business and sharing stories from behind a screen.
So this space is about honoring the full journey. It’s about showing up as a whole person, embracing all the beautiful contradictions we carry, and creating space for others to do the same. It’s about listening, connecting, and offsetting a little of the noise in the world with something meaningful.
Whether you’ve been here since the early blog days or just stumbled onto this page five minutes ago — I’m so glad you’re here. Your support, comments, shares, and kind words never go unnoticed. This space wouldn’t be what it is without you, and I’m truly grateful we get to do this messy, beautiful, honest life thing together.
Here’s to more stories, more connection, and maybe a little laughter along the way.
Be well. x Laura