I remember being a teen and passing by this one particular coffee shop in Fullerton. It looked like an old craftsman house, with string lights in front — cozy and cute. I remember thinking, I would love to have a shop like that one day.
I was never clear on what my career path would be. It’s been a journey of self-discovery to find my passion. They say if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life — and while it took me many years to figure out what that meant for me, this is the story of how I got here.
The one where Ricca buys a thrift store.
Yes, really.
When people ask me how I started, and I hear myself say it out loud, it still sounds a little crazy. But here it is.
How It All Began
In my twenties, I was working for my mother’s company and trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life. I knew a regular job was never for me. My attempt at finding a baking job hadn’t worked out, and my culinary arts degree was quickly becoming obsolete.
One afternoon during kickboxing training, my trainer suddenly stopped and asked, “Hey, do you like thrift shops?”
“Um… yeah, sure. Why?”
“Well, there’s one for sale on Whittier Blvd. You should check it out.”
It was such a random thing to say — I had never once mentioned owning a business or thrift shops to him. But I went, I looked… and that’s when everything changed.
The Haunted Craftsman Shop
The shop was a 1904 craftsman home — but a complete mess, if I’m being honest. It looked like a hoarder house, with piles of boxes and bags you couldn’t even walk through. It smelled like old wet carpet and had an eerie feeling. (It’s actually known in the city to be haunted — I can confirm that rumor is true! It still is, but in a peaceful way.)
Still, looking past all that, I said: Yes. I’ll take it.
And I did — with all the mess.
I had no idea what I was doing. There was no business plan, not even a clear business idea. Just a feeling in my gut that this location, this house, was special. When I first held the keys, I was terrified. For months, it barely sank in that I was now a business owner. Driving there every morning, I felt like my identity had shifted overnight.
Finding My Way
I began sorting and cleaning through the mess, asking myself over and over: What am I going to do here? What am I going to sell?
At 24, with no help, I thought maybe I’d open a clothing boutique. I’ve always loved fashion, and it seemed like something I could handle on my own.
But as I started listing the furniture in the shop, I thought: This would look so cute if it was a different color… or If this hall tree that’s missing a mirror became a chalkboard, it would be functional instead of trash!
And that’s how The Upcycled Home was born.
Upcycling wasn’t even a known word at that time. Chalk paint was just starting to become popular. I taught myself by watching YouTube videos — and now I have a YouTube channel of my own, where I share flips, décor ideas, and hosting tips.
The first few years were some of the hardest of my life, and I wouldn’t want to relive them. But I’m proud of that version of me — the one who pulled through, even if it took longer than I expected.
Nine Years Later
Today, I’m still upcycling furniture — a mix of old and new, and everything in between (even some clothing thrown in). But now The Upcycled Home has grown into more than a shop.
The newest addition is something that lights me up the most: workshops. I’ve started hosting craft and paint nights here, and they’ve become an extension of what I’ve always loved — creating beautiful, themed experiences for people.
Hosting has always been where my heart feels fullest, and now I get to share that joy with my amazing customers and community.
To everyone who has supported me over these nine years — whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just walked through the door for the first time — thank you. Your support has kept this dream alive.
Here’s to 9 years of The Upcycled Home, and to the many creative adventures still to come.
