| April Grover is using her
surfing experience and college degree to bring her business, Island Inspiration,
to Brevard County.
Grover, a competitive surfer
and the former star of the MTV reality show "Surf Girls," wanted a business
to fall back on when the waves were small. She followed her heart -- and
the surf -- into the world of importing exotic home furnishings.
Grover opened Island Inspiration
on Eau Gallie Boulevard in Indian Harbour Beach to offer a collection of
indoor and outdoor furniture handcrafted from natural materials, including
plantation and reclaimed teak, teak root, bamboo and cutaways from naturally
felled trees.
"I went into this because,
when I travel, I'm always exposed to unique furniture and pieces of art,"
Grover said. "The teak-root benches are one-of-a-kind, and they're from
a sustainable source."
Grover has been a competitive
surfer for nine years and has traveled the world throughout her young career.
Much of her merchandise comes from Indonesia, Thailand and Hawaii.
But Grover always has called
Brevard home and decided to move back to her hometown after her travels
in the competition circuit.
Grover's partner in the business
is Lou Exline, also a surfer. Together, they started Island Inspiration
International.
"We describe our furnishings
style as 'organic chic,' " Grover said, " 'organic' meaning derived from
the natural environment and 'chic' as smart elegance."
"We offer our customers furnishings
from exotic woods and stones found in different locations throughout the
world," Exline said.
Island Inspiration seeks
to inspire a relaxed island lifestyle through unusual pieces of indoor
and outdoor furnishings and art.
The new business is on the
grounds of her parents' business, Sun Harbor Nursery, at 920 E. Eau Gallie
Blvd.
"We are sensitive to the
environment issues associated with forestry around the world," Grover said.
"This is why we work with artists and manufacturers that only use sustainable
and reclaimed sources."
Grover recommends for young
entrepreneurs to understand the basics before taking a chance on opening
a business.
"I got my degree at University
of Hawaii and thought it would be good to incorporate this type of business
with my surfing," she said. "I'm taking a break from competition right
now, and this is a second plan. It's something I can do for my whole life."
She said the business is
a result of her parents' advice.
"My parents always said:
'Follow something you love to do. Find something. Keep at it. And hopefully
you'll make it profitable.' And that's just what I'm doing," Grover said.
|
920 East Eau Gallie Blvd. 
