Unboxing Her Story: Stacy, Prairiegrass Home Decor and Gifts

Stacy dreamed of opening a retail location for years.

I know because I was standing right next to her. When we first met, neither of us had jumped yet. We were both at the edge, talking ourselves into it. Since then, I’ve had a front row seat to her just going for it, and she’s had one to mine. Somewhere in there we became each other’s loudest cheerleaders.

Here’s the line I want you to hear first: “If you wait until you feel completely ready, you might never start.”

That’s Stacy. She’s the one who can look at a chipped-up old dresser and see exactly what it wants to become. She’s always had a thing for decorating, for digging up treasures nobody else wanted, and for making a house feel like a home instead of a furniture showroom. Once her girls were a little older, she finally stopped waiting on the dream of her own shop.

“I love the idea of bringing together old and new, vintage finds and fresh decor, and pieces that each have their own story,” she says. This was never just about selling decor. It’s about “helping people find something they love, inspiring them to try something new in their homes, and creating a place where people enjoy coming in, browsing, visiting, and discovering something unexpected.”

The name wasn’t an accident.“Living in this area, we’re surrounded by the beauty of the prairie, open spaces, and that simple, natural charm that makes this part of Minnesota feel like home.” She wanted Prairiegrass to be welcoming and a little rustic, with room to be a lot of things at once. “Just like the prairie, I wanted Prairiegrass to have its own natural beauty and character, a place where old meets new, unique finds have a story, and everyone can find a little something they love.”

Running a shop teaches you things loving decor never will.“Growth requires taking risks, trusting your instincts, and being willing to change along the way.” She learned the hard way that you can’t be everything to everyone, that letting go of ideas that don’t work is part of the deal, and that the people around you matter as much as the merchandise. That means vendors, employees, and customers. “Sometimes growth doesn’t mean doing more of the same. Sometimes it means having the courage to become something new.”

Nobody handed her a manual for refinishing furniture.“A lot of it has been learning by doing, experimenting, trying new techniques, and not being afraid to make mistakes along the way.” I’m guessing she’s ruined a piece or two figuring out what not to do. What keeps her hooked is the surprise. “I love taking a piece that may have been forgotten or no longer fit someone’s style and transforming it into something beautiful and useful again. You never know exactly what you’ll uncover.”

Walk into Prairiegrass and that’s the whole point.“I want people to feel welcomed, inspired, and excited the moment they walk through the door. I want them to slow down, wander, discover something unexpected, maybe find that perfect piece they didn’t even know they were looking for.” Leave with a bag full of treasures or just a good browse. Either way, she wants you walking out smiling.

Her favorite transformations aren’t always the big before-and-afters. Sometimes it’s just rearranging the floor. “A piece you’ve walked past a dozen times can suddenly catch your eye when it’s styled differently or placed next to something unexpected. You don’t always need something new to create something beautiful. Sometimes you just need a new perspective.”

The part nobody warns you about.Vendor emails. Inventory. Math that has to work even on the days she’d rather rearrange shelves for fun. “Owning a shop means you’re never really off the clock,” she admits. Then a customer finds the thing they didn’t know they needed, and that cancels out a lot of spreadsheets. “Seeing customers enjoy the store, watching it evolve, and bringing new ideas to life makes it all worthwhile.”

Her biggest supporter. Her husband Nate has been along for the ride since before there was a ride. “We’ve had our share of crazy ideas and made quite a few moves throughout our marriage, and I can’t say we’re done yet,” she laughs. I’m guessing the next big idea is already on its way.

Her advice for any woman eyeing her own leap. It's blunt, in the best way. “You’re never going to have everything figured out, and if you wait until you feel completely ready, you might never start.”

She gives her daughters, 10 and 12, the same speech on repeat. “They don’t always listen, and they often fight me on it, but every once in a while, they surprise me and agree with me. Those moments remind me that maybe they’re listening more than I realize.” Every mom of a teen, feel free to steal that one for your own pep talks.

We asked Stacy what she had to unbox to get here, and what mark she hopes to leave.

“I think I’ve had to unlearn the idea that I need to have everything figured out before I take the next step. Growth isn’t always comfortable, and sometimes you have to let go of what you thought things were supposed to look like to make room for what they could become.”

“I hope the mark I leave is about more than a beautiful store or a successful business. I hope people feel welcomed, encouraged, and inspired because they crossed paths with me. As a mom to two girls, I want them to see that it’s okay to dream big and build a life that feels true to who they are. If someone walks away from knowing me feeling a little more confident, a little more inspired, or simply a little happier, I think that’s a pretty wonderful mark to leave.”

If you’ve been sitting on something, let this be your nudge. Stacy didn’t feel ready either. She started anyway.

Thank you, Stacy, for trusting me with your story. I’m so grateful for you!

Stop into her store and check it out for yourself, located in downtown Perham! Website - https://prairiegrassmn.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561749511848