Christina Purkapile often reassures her customers that even if they’ve never picked up a tool in their lives, they can still create their own wooden crafts.
Purkapile owns Nailed It DIY Studio Evans located at 7025 Evans Town Center Blvd., Suite 217 near Stay. Social Tap & Table. She launched the business on Friday, Oct. 7.
Purkapile compares her business to Build-A-Bear Workshop, except it uses wood. She gives her customers all the materials and helps when they need to complete custom wood projects, such as signs. Many are initially apprehensive about using tools, such as sanders and nail guns, but an assistant, or Art-Tender, is always there to help.
“I wanted to do something that would empower people,” Purkapile said. “People need to realize it’s not hard; It’s scary, but it’s only scary once.”
Nailed It even helps kids create crafts. During Thanksgiving week, when schools are closed, she plans to host kids’ camps.
But Purkapile wants people to know it’s more than a sign business. Customers can create other items, such as cornhole boards. The store also sells Take & Make DIY kits, which allow customers to complete projects at home, as well as a variety of retail products.
“We build out our own retail,” she said.
Nailed It allows customers to schedule appointments and accepts walk-ins. The business hosts various events, such as birthday parties and girls’ nights out. Businesses can also hold team-building exercises in the studio.
“It takes less than two hours, and you walk out with your project in hand,” Purkapile said.
She enjoys building things and built pool furniture at her home. Purkapile and her husband, John, who are both veterans, also completed much of the construction work on the store themselves. During the day, she works in cybersecurity at Fort Gordon and works evenings and weekends at Nailed It.
“You always hear businesspeople work very long hours,” she said. “I’m living that now.”
Purkapile said prior to opening her shop, she knew nothing about running a business, but being part of a franchise has been especially helpful.
“They walk us through everything,” she said. “You learn the process as you go.”
John helps in the store, but Purkapile often has only one other employee, her manager. In the future, she plans to expand her staff.
The company was founded in 2014 by Shannon Evans and Misty Grant. Evans was asked to show a group of women at a church how to create a DIY home décor project. She quickly realized she had a solid business idea and ran with it.
Purkapile said so far, they’ve received positive feedback from customers.
“Everyone has said this is exactly what this area needed,” she said.
Purkapile thinks what she will enjoy most about running the business is empowering people, particularly women, to complete their own projects.
“They’re shocked they’re able to do that,” she said.
Nailed It DIY Studio Evans is open Wednesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit evans.naileditdiy.com/.
