How One Furniture Flipper Turned a Side Hustle into a Full-Time Passion

If you’ve ever strolled through a thrift store, browsed Facebook Marketplace, or stopped at a local Goodwill and thought, “I could flip that into something amazing”—you’re not alone. Laura Valk, known as Restored by Laura online, a talented furniture flipper from Greenville, South Carolina, has built a thriving business transforming secondhand finds into beautiful, functional pieces. Her journey is proof that with passion, persistence, and the right tools, furniture restoration can go from a casual side hustle to a full-time career.

Laura didn’t start with a background in woodworking or design. In fact, her leap into flipping began out of necessity—she needed furniture for her home but didn’t have the budget for high-end pieces. With a little paint and creativity, she realized she could breathe new life into worn-out items. That spark turned into a mission, and soon she was sourcing pieces from Goodwill, Facebook Marketplace, estate sales, and even the occasional roadside treasure.

While she’s known for her unique style, Laura also shares practical advice for aspiring furniture flippers:

• Look for solid construction over brand names.

• Avoid pieces with broken drawers unless you have the skill and time to fix them.

• Invest in quality tools like a professional paint sprayer.

• Use cleaners like TSP or Crud Cutter before starting your restoration work.

Her story isn’t just about furniture—it’s about building a business that gives her the flexibility and freedom to work on her own terms. Flipping has allowed her to transform her creativity into consistent income while connecting with a growing community of other furniture flippers and resellers.

Laura’s episode on The Next Big Flip Podcast dives deeper into her journey, her favorite restoration projects, and tips for anyone wanting to start flipping for profit—whether it’s selling on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or right in your local community.

Listen to the full episode here: https://youtu.be/SljjCtsLvtc Subscribe to The Next Big Flip YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and inspiration from thrifters, flippers, and resellers all across America.

Whether you’re into thrifting for fun or dreaming of replacing your 9-to-5 with your own flipping business, Laura’s story will inspire you to pick up a sander, head to your local thrift store, and start creating your own success story.