Crafting Comfort: Inside the Vision and Success of Renee’ D’Agostino, Owner of Farmhouse

With a keen eye for detail and a love for creating beautiful spaces, Renee’ D’Agostino founded Farmhouse and has since built a successful home goods store on the Canton Square. In this interview, she discusses her path to entrepreneurship and the key factors behind her store’s success.

Tell me a little bit about yourself, Renee’! Where are you originally from?

My name is Renee’ D’Agostino. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Illinois. I attended Illinois State University and then transferred to The University of Nevada Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas I worked in the golf industry and became submersed in that industry. I worked in golf, including for the PGA TOUR event here in Mississippi, until 2016. I am married to Tom D’Agostino and have one son, Cooper, who is a 5th grader at MRA. I enjoy family, fostering animals for local shelters, projects, and dreaming up what else I can experience before I’m too old.

How did you become an entrepreneur? What was that journey like for you?

When I think back to my childhood, I remember always moving my room around every weekend, helping my Dad, Mike, with construction projects around the house and my

Mother, Carol, was like Pinterest before it existed. My grandmother was a business owner, and I think I was just destined to be an entrepreneur. I didn’t ever think it was possible for someone like me to open their own business, so for years it was just a thought. I was

working in the golf industry when things started to change, and it was just the perfect time for me to make my exit and go for what I had been dreaming of.

Tell us a little bit about Farmhouse. When did you first open the store?

Originally when I opened the Farmhouse, July 8th, 2016, my plan was to sell some of the beautiful farm tables that my husband, Tom, makes and some goods I would get at market. Little did I know my clientele had a different idea. Before I knew it people were requesting furniture and rugs and all kinds of things I didn’t really think about carrying. Throughout that year, I started ordering different items and trying different things with our clientele. In September of 2017 I purchased our current location due to outgrowing our original space. Purchasing a historic building in Canton has been an experience I will never forget.

I will never forget my first look at the building. People were like, “what a mess, what are you going to do with this?” The very first time I walked out of that building I had a vision of what I wanted “Farmhouse” to look like. My dad, Mike, and my uncle, Rick, came from Illinois to help remodel the building. The entire remodel took approx. 4 months, and I couldn’t have loved the result more. Some of our most popular items are furniture, home décor and lighting. We always enjoy the Flea Market days as it brings customers in that have become like family after all these years. I would have to say though, Christmas is my favorite. Each year we close the store for 5 days and turn the store into a magical wonderland. We always have our Christmas in place prior to the fall Flea Market.

What would you say are the key elements to starting and running a successful business?

I’m honestly not really a businessperson like most should be that own their own business. I honestly believe that prayer, grit and resilience will take you a long way. I have been so

blessed with a staff that understands what my vision is, and they all have a special way of making our clients feel welcome. I truly believe you must have amazing staff to have a

successful business in this world today.

What made you decide to open Farmhouse on The Square? What makes Canton special as the home of your business?

Tom and I lived outside of Canton, and I remember driving through The Square from time- to-time thinking, “why aren’t there more businesses?” I always knew that if I ever was to pursue my dream it was going to be on the Canton Square. I wanted to give all I had to making the Square more visible to people and desirable to shop at.

What do you hope to see in the future for small businesses, especially in Canton?

I would love to see more support from our governing body. I feel like Canton is a special

town with a beautiful square that has so much potential. I would love to see the buildings that are vacant and unkept to be taken over and beautified.

What advice would you give to a fellow entrepreneur just starting out?

My advice would be if you dream it, you can do it. Take that from someone that never thought this could be my life…. It can.

Where do you hope to see your business in five years?

I hope to see the Farmhouse still servicing clients on the Canton Square and hopefully doing better than ever!