Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Martin.
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?
I’ve always loved bringing new life to old pieces. I started dabbling in furniture refinishing when I was a teenager. Taking something broken and used and giving it new life spoke to me on a level I didn’t even understand then.
I moved to York County over 20 years ago. My family is here. I wanted to build something lasting for them —a family business rooted in craftsmanship, integrity, and community. I wanted to create something that reflected my values—hard work, creativity, and community.
Rock Hill is the only place that has ever felt like home. It’s the biggest small town you will ever see. Pieces of history sprinkled everywhere like Glen Cairn Gardens or The White House downtown. Like me, Rock Hill is evolving, changing and growing. The city has even done a little “Upcycling” down town to bring new life to the city.
What began as a hobby of crafting, refinishing and repurposing furniture has grown into a small business with a big heart.
Turning my love of furniture refinishing and crafting into a business felt like the perfect way to blend passion and purpose. Auntie C’s was born from that dream—to build something meaningful our family could be proud of and share with others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’d say I’m still very much in the challenge phase! Auntie C’s started on a shoestring budget — no fancy warehouse or big studio, just a couple of rented storage units for finished pieces and two backyard sheds with a carport in between that serves as my workshop. It’s humble, but it works. Currently the physical store is a booth at the Shoppes at Rivers Edge; a wonderful vendor mall filled with talented work.
The biggest challenge is balancing growth with the limitations of space and budget. There’s always something I could improve or expand if the funds allowed and the city would approve, but for now, I’m focused on building a strong foundation. Every project, every customer, and every lesson gets me one step closer to that next level.. Every dollar has to count, and every project has to matter.
But honestly, those challenges have also taught me so much — creativity, resourcefulness, and patience. I’ve learned that you don’t need a big setup to do beautiful work; you just need heart, hustle, and a little bit of sawdust. Every obstacle teaches me something new and pushes me to keep going. I’m proud of what I’ve built so far and excited to see how far it can grow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We take used furniture and update, recycle, refinish or build something new. My Motto is simple “Reimagined by you, Brought to life by Auntie C’s.”
I love variety! Each project is different—sometimes I’m creating farmhouse-style pieces from reclaimed wood, other times I’m modernizing vintage furniture with bold color and texture.
My main goal is always to honor the piece and match the customer’s style. I enjoy letting the materials “speak”—sometimes the wood grain or shape inspires a whole new direction. Creativity and collaboration drive everything I do.
I treat every piece as if it’s going into my own home. My approach is personal—each project starts with the story behind the furniture and the customer’s vision.
I don’t just refinish; I “reimagine,” blending craftsmanship with creativity to make something one-of-a-kind. Whether it’s a family heirloom or a flea market find, I focus on preserving its character while giving it fresh life. And because Auntie C’s is family-owned, every customer becomes part of our extended family, too.
One of my favorites was a farmhouse-style baking station made from old pallets, a piece of plywood, and parts of a damaged roll top desk. It started as a pile of scrap and turned into something truly beautiful and functional. Seeing the customer’s smile when it was delivered—grinning from ear to ear—that’s the kind of moment that keeps me doing what I do.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I was about 13 or 14 years old in one of the foster homes I lived in, the first time I ever refinished something.
My foster mother at the time gave me an old kitchen chair, a can of stripper, some rags and a few tools. She said “If you strip it down, you can make it your own.” That was the first time I ever created something that felt like mine.
And that’s a feeling that I want to give to everyone through my work—having your vision brought to life as something totally your own.
Pricing:
- First In home Consolation – Free
- First Quote with 2 revisions – Free
- Repairs – Contact for quote
- Refinishing – contact for quote
- Furniture painting – contact for quote
Contact Info:
- Website: https://auntiecs-sistrs-cs.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/auntiecs2024
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024AuntieC
- Twitter: https://x.com/AuntiecColleen
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/auntie-cs-rock-hill
