Charleston Women Summer 2020

www.CharlestonBrides.com | www.ChsWomenInBusiness.com | www.ReadCWomen.com CW - 71 A ngie Balderson grew up surrounded by exquisite interior design. Hailing from High Point, North Carolina – known as the “furniture capital of the world” — Balderson saw every style of furniture imaginable, from rustic to luxurious and everything between. She moved to the Lowcountry in 2008, unsure of what path her life would follow. “I was a single mom at the time, and it was very scary. I started with a career in pharmaceuticals, then hospice and lastly, radio. All of these were great jobs, but not my passion,” she explained. It wasn’t until she started looking for furniture for herself that she noticed the lack of unique items offered around Mount Pleasant. Trusting her own eye for design, Balderson took a leap of faith and opened Consign Haven in 2016. Named after her daughter, the space is 2,000 square feet and is located at 1518 North Hwy 17. Next, she added an additional 1,000 square feet for outdoor furniture. Business was booming. Deciding to narrow her focus to newer pieces, Balderson eventually renamed the store Haven’s Furniture — but she said she still carries about 15% consignment. After the business refresh, further expansion happened fast. In 2018, a second location was opened — a 5,000-square-foot space off Long Point Road. And a 4,000-square-foot warehouse for inventory soon followed. Balderson’s winning formula is to focus on custom-made furnishings that are high quality and long-lasting. Her consignment pieces are the finest gently-used items you’ll find. Staying close to her roots in High Point, Balderson remains well-connected with manufacturers there, beating the prices of many of her competitors. She and her staff also offer design services for anyone purchasing from within the stores. Her favorite part of her job is making clients happy, and it shows. “We work together and see what fits and what looks good. We can customize furniture to a different color. You name it, we’ll make it work,” she beamed. Recently, Balderson’s teenage daughter, Haven, has joined the family affair, selling jewelry at Haven’s Furniture. It’s a fitting arrangement, as much of Balderson’s inspiration stems from being a mother. “Haven is 15 now, and four years ago was when I opened up Consign Haven. She has been there every step of the way,” Balderson said. Keeping her design eye on the prize, it’s safe to say with the success of Haven’s Furniture that Angie Balderson has made it. Angie Balderson Haven’s Furniture 1518 N. Hwy 17 Mount Pleasant 843-606-2958 www.havensfurniture.com BY THERESA STRATFORD Photo by Jenn Cady.