Today we’d like to introduce you to Haneen Yahya.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey started 12 years ago when we bought our first home and I decided I wanted to reuse the furniture we already had instead of buying new. I had no idea what I was doing, so I Googled “how to paint furniture,” bought my very first sanding machine, and went for it.
My first project was our dining table… which I sanded indoors. It took three full days to clean up the dust afterwards — my first lesson: never sand inside the house 🤣
From there, I fell in love with the process. I started exploring antique stores, picking up pieces, and refinishing them for our own home. Two years later, I listed my first used piece for sale, and it sold within hours. That moment changed everything for me — it made me realize this passion could become a real stay-at-home-mom business.
Since then, furniture flipping has grown from a hobby into a full creative business that allows me to express myself, stay connected to my community, and build something I’m proud of.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Almost everything I learned in this business came from trial and error. I tried so many techniques I saw on YouTube or online, and quickly realized that not everything works the way it’s shown. I ruined pieces, wasted materials, and had to start over more times than I can count.
But every mistake taught me something important — the type of wood, the right stripper, the right sanding grits, what to never do again (like sanding indoors ), and how to trust my own creativity instead of copying someone else’s method.
Another challenge was balancing being a stay-at-home mom with building a business. I worked late nights, early mornings, and in between kids’ schedules. But those challenges shaped my style, my patience, and my confidence as a creator.
Every struggle ended up being part of the process that made me better at what I do today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in furniture refinishing, restoration, and creative transformations. What started as a hobby turned into a full business where I take old, worn, or forgotten pieces and give them a completely new life. I’m known for my attention to detail, my clean finishes, and my ability to blend modern design with vintage character. I also focus heavily on sustainable décor — reusing, restoring, and reducing waste whenever possible.
One thing that sets me apart is my hands-on, self-taught approach. I learned everything through experience, not formal training, so every technique I use has been tested, failed, retested, and perfected over years of trial and error. I love teaching others as I learn, and I’ve built a community around sharing tips, mistakes, and behind-the-scenes processes honestly — not just the perfect after picture.
What I’m most proud of is that I built this business while being a stay-at-home mom. I worked during naps, late at night, early mornings, and in between kids’ activities. It taught me discipline, creativity, patience, and resilience. Today, my work reaches thousands of people on social media, and I’m grateful that something I love doing has turned into a business that supports my family and inspires others to create beauty in their homes.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I never had one formal mentor — most of my learning came from trial and error. But I’ve found that mentors can come in many forms: other creators online, small business owners, and supportive people in my community. Social media has been a huge part of that — it’s where I learned, connected, and shared advice with others.
In the last couple of years, I also started taking woodworking classes at North Bennet Street School, which helped me grow my skills even more.
My biggest tips are to stay teachable, ask questions, connect genuinely, and use social media to learn from people who inspire you. Your community can become your greatest source of mentorship.
Pricing:
- Custom refinishing projects typically range from $250–$800, depending on size and complexity.
- Nightstand sets usually range from $350–$600.
- Dressers and highboys range from $450–$900, depending on condition and design.
- Small restoration or repair work starts at $75.
- I also offer content creation/product reviews for brands, ranging from $150–$450 per deliverable (photos, reels, or tutorials).
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flipit.marketplace
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19nbJbu2qH/
