Buffalo Boss Babe: Vanessa Fermani
Todays Buffalo Boss Babe is Vanessa Fermani the owner of Nigh Road Farmhouse. Nigh Road Farmhouse is a dreamy shop in East Aurora where each and every single room looks like a page out of a home magazine. Keep reading to see how Vanessa rediscovered herself after having four kids and restoring furniture during their naps!
Photo by Olly View Photography
What made you start or brought you where you are today ? Tell us your Story. What makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe?
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and always loved the idea of being my own boss (who doesn’t?!) but had no idea how I would make that happen. Like many others, I entered college with no clue what I really wanted to do so I selected a broad major – Business Management – and upon graduation, got a job in Corporate America. It was a good job and one that taught me a lot about self-motivation, the importance of customer relationships, and overcoming objectives and obstacles. Fast forward several years, my husband and I settled in Hamburg, NY and started a family. We had 4 children in under 5 years. During that chapter in my life I was so devoted to bearing, nursing and raising babies that I forgot to tend to some very important aspects of who I was – a creative soul with a love of learning and dreams that stretched beyond just being a mom. When my husband and I knew we were done having children, I wanted to rediscover those pieces of myself that had been neglected for so long. During this period of rediscovery, I tried to find some outlets and hobbies that made me feel inspired and creatively satisfied. One day when all my children were napping, I decided to grab an old piece of furniture from around our home and give it a makeover. I took it out into our garage, painted it and cleaned the hardware. It looked brand new! And I felt accomplished and fulfilled in a way I hadn’t in a long time. The next day, when all the children went down for a nap again, I found myself searching for other items from around the house that I could paint. With every nap came a newly made-over piece of furniture in my garage. Soon enough my garage turned into a workshop, storage facility and mini show room. Neighbors and friends would see me working and would stop in to check out my latest project or what I had coming up next. That curiosity quickly turned into inquiries about purchasing my painted pieces. Customers would even invite me over to their home to look at furniture they owned, check out their latest home renovation and get my input on color choices, furniture placement and décor. My business grew organically. I had no idea that this little hobby of mine would lead me to where I am now.
Photo by Olly View Photography
What does being a Buffalo Boss Babe mean to you?
Being a Buffalo Boss Babe means that I am part of a community of women from around WNY who share in a journey towards personal goals, dreams and growth. We exemplify ambition, empowerment, uniqueness and tenacity. Most importantly, we support each other and lift each other up as we all know there is more we can accomplish together than we ever can apart.
Who are your favorite people to follow ?
Rachel Hollis. If you’re not following her, what are you waiting for?
Photo by Olly View Photography
What are your favorite things to do in the area ? Buffalo and greater WNY
Eat. WNY has so many great restaurants. My husband and I try to check out new places whenever we get the chance and of course, always find time to visit our favorites. We love Hutch’s, The Grange, Mulberry’s and Lucia’s just to name a few.
Tell us about your favorite collaboration or dream collaborations ?
I love to collaborate with other local businesses, bloggers, and influencers. I think it’s a great way to learn from each other and combine forces. A dream collaboration of mine is to work with a local custom home builder to build a Nigh Road Farmhouse model home. I’d love to pick out all the finishes, furniture and style it in all things Nigh Road.
Photo by Olly View Photography
If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be?
I would love to have a cup of coffee with my dad and step dad. Both died from cancer far too soon. I miss them and think about them all the time. I hope they are proud of me.
What are your hopes, dreams, goals. Big or small?
My hopes and dreams are continually evolving. The one that stays constant is the goal to be a great mom and wife. Even though I own my own business and have a list of professional dreams I want to pursue, I do my best to center my decisions and plans around my family. As my business grows, I want to continue to set healthy boundaries for myself and always put my family first. Professionally, I want to continue to grow my brand and make Nigh Road Farmhouse a top retail destination in WNY. I would like to launch a website in 2019 as well as start offering some furniture painting 101 workshops to my customers.
Tell us about your family?
I am married to my best friend, Nick. I know that's cliché but it’s true. We will celebrate our 9 year anniversary this summer. We have four children - two daughters, ages 6 and 4, and identical twin sons, age 2.
Photo by Charity Swords Photography
Feel Good Favorites
Food: I love it all! I can't pick a favorite.
Color: All shades of blue
Super Power: Mommin'
Animal : Dolphin
Season of the year: Spring
Favorite thing about Buffalo: The restaurants and waterfront
Be sure to follow along with Vanessa’s furniture makeovers and store additions to see what she’ll do next! You can follow her on Instagram & Facebook: @nighroadfarmhouse
until next time babes
xoxo
-Emmily
Buffalo Boss Babes is a woman run blog series featuring women in and around the city of Buffalo N.Y.
