The Squid Flip Creation Story
It started as a summer project for then 10-year old Owen Simoes. Trying to bring fun and the challenge of TV’s Flea Market Flip to life, he borrowed money from his parents, headed to Brimfield’s Antique Fair with his mother, and rented a basement office from his father near downtown Concord. Owen learned to paint and rethink furniture and decorative items. He also learned to market – designing a logo and building a Facebook page.
Fame came with Owens’s business that summer, a few TV programs reached out to see if he would be a contestant. But Owen stayed focused on his own business – adding new items such as mugs and an e-shop.
Intown Concord caught up with Owen and publicized him on Facebook Live. Soon enough the local daily paper, the Concord Monitor, noticed his Facebook page and ran an article. Next, the local ABC affiliate, WMUR TV9, featured him on their nightly lifestyle magazine program, Chronicle. Owen not only saw shop visits jump, but when he appeared at craft shows, he was quickly recognized. The 10-year old had become a celebrity.
Owen has come a long way in the last four years – he took on some real challenging projects, such as transforming classic suitcases into tables, and even turning an old chicken coop into a coffee table. He sources for raw materials are flea markets, and yard sales –he adds his own style, with special touches in painting, accessories and rethinking. NHPR interviewed him. And, he was recently featured in the Boston Globe! That led to an appearance with his mentor Lara Spencer on GMA Day!
Many of Owens’s customers are moms, and they often tell him how his business has been an inspiration to them as well as to their kids.