Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvonne Fenn. They and their team shared their story with us below:

In 2016, life took a turn for Yvonne Fenn, a longtime Connecticut resident who worked as a global strategic consultant and part-time interior designer with her general contractor husband, Scott Fenn. The love of her life, best friend, and husband suddenly passed away from a pulmonary embolism, and her life was forever altered. Now gone from her life, she had to take a look at what the next steps would be for her. She felt that with her aging parents in Tampa, FL, she should move closer to them. Having been born in Jacksonville and having lived in various places around the globe and the United States, she thought it would be time to find her way back to Florida and settle on Amelia Island, as her family history dates back to the 1800s in Fernandina Beach. In 2017, she arrived and began revamping the next phase of her life. She designed and built a custom home on the island, which made her feel closer to her husband, channeling their home design passion. In 2019, she became the sole caregiver to her aging parents, who both have several health issues and dementia. When COVID subsided, Yvonne found herself in a position where her consulting work demands pulled her back on the road to travel. Still, being the sole caregiver to her parents, this would prove to be an impossibility. In 2022, she shifted gears and bought the assets of a failing business and began transforming it, and thus Coastal Cottage of Amelia was born. With her interior design passion and her husband’s spirit, she shifted the store to an interior design and home décor store for the surrounding area open to consumers and other interior designers alike. Yvonne uses her business acumen and extensive design experience to turn customer homes into their desired sanctuary dream. Her prolific travels to many of the source areas for textiles, furniture, and accessories from around the globe fuel the unique items she can obtain for her customers. In 2023, only one year after her ownership, Coastal Cottage of Amelia received 3 Best of Nassau County Awards as voted by the public by the local news leader newspaper. This is an unparalleled achievement. Coastal Cottage of Amelia was awarded Best Interior Design, Best Gift & Boutique, and Best Place to Work. Additionally, the store received the Best of Florida Honorable Mention for Best Furniture store for the entire state of Florida. The store and her story continue to evolve, so stop by and stay tuned for more to come. Coming soon in 2024, Fenn & Co. US-made furniture line sources from High Point, NC.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It is bittersweet designing without my beloved husband. In many ways, it makes me feel closer to him, and in other ways, it makes me miss him as we would be having a ball building and doing interior design together.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I love that this year, we were awarded by the residents of Nassau County in their Best of the Best, Best Interior Design, Best Gift & Boutique, plus Best Place to Work. No other business has ever won three awards in one year. I am so proud of my team. They work so well together and for our customers. They go above and beyond and give 150%. I have worked hard to find the right people and talent. I ensure the team is rewarded often and keep them focused and engaged in making our customers feel like they get the best service from our store.

What matters most to you? Why?
The right environment for customers and employees translates into successful revenue for the business. Having the right mix of products also matters greatly. If you do not have items people cannot live without, it’s hard to keep the doors open. I work hard to ensure our items are unique and special, so when you give them to someone or bring them into your home, your house will feel much more beautiful and one of a kind.

Pricing:

• We have a range of price point to suit all budgets

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.coastalcottageamelia.com

Article source: https://voyagejacksonville.com/interview/check-out-yvonne-fenns-story/