Faded Paige's is a play on owner Paige Ullery's name. Strolling through her spaces in two vintage/antique markets, you will find refinished and repurposed furniture, handmade signs and all sorts of handpicked vintage and antique goods.

Ullery started her business after becoming disenchanted with the 9-to-5 grind.

"I came home one day and realized I wasn't happy," she said. "(I was) spending all of my time away from my kids and (was) missing watching them grow up. I knew that refinishing furniture mixed with vintage items was where my heart was, so I started looking for ways to get my items out into the community. I saw someone looking for vendors for a small market that took place one day a week. (I stepped out of my comfort zone,) took a leap of faith and signed up for a small 5x10 booth. I remember setting up my booth, nervous that I wouldn't sell anything or the feedback wouldn't be great, but I knew that I needed to do this. I still remember the first item I sold. It was a vintage candlestick for $12, and you would've thought that I had just hit the lottery."

Ullery is a military spouse, and her husband is assigned to Naval Submarine Base Bangor. Military spouses as business owners face many unique challenges due to the changing requirements of military life such as deployments and moves.

"I think the biggest challenge I've faced being a spouse to someone in the military is understanding there are going to be months at a time when I'm carrying the load on my own," Ullery said. "Running a business with two toddlers, no family close and your spouse gone for periods of time can really start to wear you down. If I need to get big pieces of furniture in the booths but my husband is gone, who's going to help me do that? Who can I have watch the kids? Are they going to cooperate with me while we go picking? There's a lot that goes into it, and it's not always easy. Actually, it's hardly ever easy, but I love doing this, and every once in a while, the boys may enjoy hunting for ‘treasure' with me."

Like many, Ullery has found a bond with other military spouses that helps see her through the tough times and allows her to follow her dreams.

"Thankfully, I'm surrounded by a tribe of women who always help when they can, and I'm so grateful for each and every one of them," she said. "My end game has always been to open a store of my own, and maybe that's after my husband retires and we finally settle down in one spot, but it's still my dream and I won't lose sight of that."

Ullery's advice to military spouses is to "keep pushing toward your dreams," she said. "Be around people who are going to lift you up, encourage and support you. Be willing to try new things or improve the old. Understand it's not going to be easy but to believe in yourself anyway. Have goals and always do your best to hit them. Failing is always a possibility, (but) take that and use it to your advantage. Most importantly, even though it's a small business, never be afraid to think big."

Faded Paige's can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/fadedpaiges. Ullery has space at Josephine's Mercantile in Port Orchard and Red Plantation in Poulsbo.