Vanessa Garcia on Finding Healing Through Furniture Flipping

At Next Big Flip, we believe flipping isn’t just about profit—it’s about purpose. In our newest episode, we’re excited to introduce you to Vanessa Garcia, also known as Sunflower, the heart behind Sunflower Haven Upcycling.

Vanessa’s story goes far beyond sanding, painting, and restoring old furniture. For her, each piece tells a story—of second chances, healing, and transformation.

From Medical Career to Furniture Restoration

For more than a decade, Vanessa worked in the medical field. But after a season of loss and soul-searching, she felt a calling to do something different—something that sparked joy and purpose. What started as a way to cope with grief soon became a thriving business: restoring furniture that others had tossed aside.

She explains how rescuing forgotten dressers, nightstands, and chairs became symbolic of her own healing journey:

“Each furniture piece I restored healed me. I felt renewed. I felt like I was given a second chance.”

Curbside Finds & Community Impact

While many flippers source from thrift stores or marketplaces, Vanessa’s best finds often come from curbside pickups in her California neighborhood—and even in the alleys of Beverly Hills. With a keen eye for quality and craftsmanship, she transforms abandoned items into stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces.

But she doesn’t keep this journey to herself. Vanessa regularly shares tips, insights, and even unclaimed treasures with fellow upcyclers, believing:

“There’s enough to go around for everybody. Collaboration happens at the top.”

Sunflower Haven Upcycling: More Than a Business+

Vanessa’s brand, Sunflower Haven Upcycling, isn’t just about flipping furniture—it’s about restoration in every sense of the word. Inspired by her grandfather’s passing and a family camping trip in Sequoia National Forest, “Sunflower” became a symbol of resilience, renewal, and hope.

Today, her work brings joy to her community, provides eco-friendly alternatives to fast furniture, and even includes her family in the process. From her husband’s sales support to her children helping with design and deliveries, Sunflower Haven is a true family effort.

Why You Should Listen

This episode is more than just a conversation about flipping—it’s a reminder that sometimes the biggest transformations happen in the smallest details.

You’ll discover:

• How to spot quality furniture worth restoring

• Why the flipping process can be deeply therapeutic

• Vanessa’s favorite projects and the tools she swears by

• How involving family makes the hustle even more rewarding

  
  

Listen Now

Vanessa’s journey proves that flipping is about more than making money—it’s about finding meaning, healing, and community in the process.

🎧 Tune in to the full episode of Next Big Flip featuring Vanessa Garcia and get inspired to see the treasures—and possibilities—all around you.

👉 Listen to the Episode on Next Big Flip