For the past 14 years, Nicole Ferguson of Mountain Refined, formally Mountain Lodge Furnishings, has been learning the ropes, or more appropriately, the fabrics and materials, of running a successful home furnishing store in the Heber Valley. She has learned much about color, design, flow, symmetry, art, and interior design all in the name of helping her clients transform a house into their dream home.

“I feel like your home should be a place of refuge and your escape from the whole world, so if it’s comfortable and beautiful and gives you a place to be in, I love that. I love being able help in that process,” said Ferguson.

Just over two years ago Ferguson purchased the family owned and operated business from her parents who had been running it for nearly 35 years. She takes the lessons she’s learned through the years from her father of treating her clients with respect and living by the golden rule and instills those same lessons on to her employees today. That detail to customer service has created long-time clients for Ferguson, and just as important long-time friendships.

“I want to make sure our business has a hometown feel. I always want to know my customers by name. They become my friends and I love that,” said Ferguson.

Being in business for over three decades, Nicole and her family have seen many businesses come and go in the valley. To make their business successful they have moved beyond just custom furniture to offering a variety of services to personalize their client’s homes to the way they like it. From flooring, to counter tops, to furnishings to mattresses, Mountain Refined has found long term success in offering diversified services.

By their showroom of over 15,000 square feet you wouldn’t know that Mountain Refined is a small business with eight employees. Each is trained to serve their customers in any of the services they provide. For Ferguson one of her joys of being a small business owner has been empowering her employees to succeed.

“As a business owner you eat, drink and sleep your business, but it’s super rewarding to watch my team succeed and grow. It’s a huge drive for me,” said Ferguson.

Like many business owners in the valley, Ferguson is very passionate about the success of the community and the health of the economy. Over the past several years as businesses on Heber Main Street have come and gone she has felt the thrill of another new business coming to the valley and the heartbreak when others close their doors. She feels all businesses suffer when people see empty spaces around town. It can give people an impression that the valley’s businesses aren’t as healthy as they really are.

“I would love to see more mom and pop shops in the valley,” said Ferguson. “I love shopping at our local stores and being apart of local activities. There is so much to do here.”

Ferguson feels like as the business community continues to work together to better serve the residents and visitors of Heber Valley it would rise the tide for everyone. For this passion for the valley, and this passion she has for her business to be successful, the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Nicole Ferguson and Mountain Refined as our March Business of the Month.