Store Owner Feature

After working for others her whole life, Tracey Tilden finally opens store of her dreams in Calgary

What is the name and location of your store?

Stone House Decor in Calgary, Alberta.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born in Liverpool England, and have lived all but 6 years in Canada, specifically Alberta.

This year I celebrate my 29th wedding anniversary with the most supportive and encouraging  husband. We have two wonderful kids. Our daughter is 22, and my "free" marketing assistant is my 26-year-old son who is an entrepreneur himself.

I spent 13 years working in the oil and gas industry as a Junior Buyer. After our daughter started Grade 1, I spent 13 years in education working as a Speech and Occupational Therapy Assistant for Kindergarteners in Okotoks.

After moving back to Calgary once our daughter graduated I knew it was time to do something for myself and STONE HOUSE DECOR was born.

What inspired you to start your own business?

Having my own shop was always a dream, and after working for other people my whole life I wanted to be my own boss and do something different. I needed to do something for me and knew it was now or never.

Born from a love of filling our home with beautiful pieces, I grew a simple passion inspired by Magnolia Market and a love of Modern Farmhouse decor into my beautiful shop. I wanted people to come in, see the quality of the items and be able to touch and feel the things we have carefully curated for them.

What is your favourite part about owning a store?

I love the whole process… buying items I love and knowing others will too. Finding companies with wonderful stories and items that are unique, staging them on the floor, watching people fall in love with them and knowing they will love them as much as I do. I also love talking to people, I have so many returning customers who I know by name and by their stories, even after 7 months.

The surrounding businesses in Willow Park Village are wonderful and I have gotten to know so many like-minded business owners.

What surprises you about your customers?

I love how chatty they all are, it's wonderful to get to hear their stories and be a part of their home or lives in a small way.

Ok, what are your 3 desert island Midnight Paloma picks?

3 isn't fair! Lol! I love them all… but the French Rose + Vanilla, Grapefruit + Mandarin and Eucalyptus + Peppermint Blossom Bath Soaks would be my picks.

Favourite way to relax?

A soak in the tub with French Rose + Vanilla for sure.

Bath or shower?

Bath.

Do you have anything exciting planned for the year you'd like to share?

I'm excited for all the firsts I will experience as a new business owner in the next 5 months leading up to our 1 year Anniversary.

Anything else you'd like to tell us :)

Thrilled to be able to have another Canadian brand - Midnight Paloma - in our shop!