stephanie -
NIEUWENDIJK BRAMBLE L K N W R E C O G N I Z E S A W O M A N D O I N G E X C E P T I O N A L W O R K I N T H E L A K E N O R M A N C O M M U N I T Y, A L E A D E R W H O I S PAV I N G T H E WAY T O C H A N G I N G O U R AT T I T U D E S A N D I N S P I R I N G C O N F I D E N C E I N T H E F U T U R E .
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DIVING ON IN: I arrived in America from Australia with $500 and, as cliché as it may sound, if you work hard in this amazing country you will be successful. I started in floral design and wedding event planning but needed a storefront, so I started selling gifts, home accessories, etc. I made sideboards, coffee tables, and other items from old stained glass windows … I created floral arrangements in between weddings and stayed extremely busy and determined. I’ve loved flowers and design since I was little, so my destiny was already planned. My career chose me and I love it!
on FINDING YOUR JOIE DE VIVRE:
I try to do Pilates every week; it helps me stay strong and focused as my work can be quite physically demanding at times. I also really love just playing in my stores after hours—creating new rooms and new looks makes me happy. And nothing pleases me more than creating beautiful displays, installations, rooms, and whole homes that take your breath away … seeing a customer’s ecstatic reaction fills me with indescribable joy.
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MAKING A SPLASH: One of my first big projects was with a client who was very particular as to what she liked and wanted … we worked together for months to get it just right. My stress levels had been so high but when it finally all came together, the outcome was stunning. The client wrote me a six-page letter of gratitude stating how much she appreciated my design, hard work, and determination.
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Stephanie NieuwendijkBramble Dutchmans Casual Living Stores CORNELIUS, NC
By: Leslie Ogle | Photography By: Toni Lovejoy
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28 LKN
| JULY 2018
BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF: I’ve come a long way since that first project and have learned so much. Having four stores (and everything that comes with that) can get overwhelming at times, so I try to compartmentalize and breathe. I am focused, disciplined, and organized … I can’t work any other way. When I go to my stores and remember to take it all in, at the end of the day, I’m pretty proud of my accomplishments. My parents taught me well, and I am grateful each and every day. Stephanie Nieuwendijk-Bramble is the owner and creative designer at Dutchmans Casual Living Stores in Cornelius.They are located at 19441 Old Jetton Road and can be reach at 704.896.0007 or via their website at www.dutchmansdesigns.com.