Video: Local Business Owner Gets Recognized With A Trip To The United Kingdom

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – As owner of FarmHouse, Bev Crossen spends a lot of time at her downtown Tupelo store, helping customers.

The eclectic boutique carries a variety of products, many of them from local artists and businesses. The store also helps people with “do it yourself” or “DIY” projects.

“I love to paint, stain and re do everything myself,” Crossen said.

In 2013 the FarmHouse moved downtown and Crossen started carrying “Annie Sloan Chalk Paint” products.

Crossen and her team train clients how to properly use the chalk paint, and they also host workshops, where people can bring new life to a piece of furniture. Crossen’s success and enthusiasm captured the attention of Annie Sloan, who invited Crossen to Oxford England, for a week of personal training, seminars, and sightseeing, at Annie Sloan headquarters.

“It was the most amazing experience that ever happened to me as a business owner,” Crossen said.

Crossen was one of only seven retailers, or “Stockists” from the United States, chosen for the prestigious trip. She says the in depth workshops gave her a lot of ideas that she will pass on to clients.

“It was inspiring, energizing, it motivated me to try different things maybe I wasn’t sure about, because there was a lot of networking, seeing what other small businesses are doing, seeing what the trends are,” Crossen said.

Along with local customers, Crossen also sees a lot of tourists from the United Kingdom, who visit her shop.

“Everyone says, ‘we love your store, we can’t wait to come back, we look forward to coming every year and seeing all the new things you have.’ So I feel very very honored,” she said.

FarmHouse will also have a POP Up shop at the Mall At Barnes Crossing at the space formerly occupied by Regis Hair Salon.  That opens September 15th and runs through Dec. 31st.