Every once in a while someone will ask
"how did you get started in this business?"
You know ,
I think partially it's in your
genetic make-up.
Years ago my Grandpa would go to
auctions every weekend near his home in
Wisconsin.
Later in the Summer he would price and stage
all his treasures and have a Big sale.
Sound familiar?
He was a junker before junking was
junkin'!
I started renting a small space at a local antique mall.
I started renting a small space at a local antique mall.
Then I worked my way up to having spaces at
3 different malls.
For me this didn't work as I felt " spread too thin ".
So I pulled it all together and opened my own shop for 2 years.
Again , not for me.
There was a lot I loved about our own store
There was a lot I loved about our own store
but I wouldn't do it again.
I felt waaaay too tied down with
being open 6 days a week. How is a girl
suppose to go shopping?!
So now many , many , many years later :),
I am loving this chapter of my business.
I am a dealer at my Favorite antique mall
and
I absolutely Love being a vendor at
Farm Chicks ,
Barn House,
the Spring ,
Fall and
Christmas shows at Monticello
and
Clayson Farms in August.
Are you suppose to have so much fun at your job?
So tell me .....
How did you get started in your business?
Any tips for someone who may just be getting started.
My tip ?
Rent a space at a mall that already
has booths filled with things you love
This is my friend , Debbie's space at
You may know her better as
Just one more perk of the business -
you meet the sweetest friends with the best stuff.
10 bellas said:
For me it started out when I lived in North Hollywood California attending Design School in dowtown Los Angeles... I went to a "Yard SaLe" around the block from where I lived... The woman had EVERYTHING DISPLAYED - MUSIC - COFFEE & FREE DONUTS!!! OMG! That and room rearranging/changing my style started me "In-The-Business"... A passion for some 30 years now...
Jeanine, ChiPPy!-SHaBBy!
Great post....I always wonder how people get involved in a biz. I'm more of a looker and get ideas for just my house. I sometimes dream of having a booth or a shop but realize it's a lot of work. My dream job would be to SHOP for people's homes and businesses, using their money and getting to do what I love. I LOVE your style and way of arranging!
I think a great deal of it is in the genes...and overalls too! My daddy and mother were both lovers of the castoffs and I had a great aunt who was buying Victorian antiques back in the '60's off of people's porches. Growing up in a home where nothing was discarded is part of it too.
We started at a raggedy little flea market, then graduated to one show, then malls. I've never had much luck with antique malls until moving into W&T's. I had two shops at one time, but like you, I felt too tied down.
My one tip is to know your merchandise. While a "look" seems to be the trend right now, it's always a handy thing to know something about what you're selling. Knowledge is a powerful tool.
I agree 100%...find a muse! You're one of them!!!
Debbie
aww...that was to sweet! I didn't expect that! I meet the sweetest friends too...like my good friend Sue!
Imagine me giving you a big hug!
Debbie
Similar story. Grew up going to auctions with my folks. I started with a booth, then booths, at my favorite antique mall. Moved to another mall. Balked at paying rent AND commission to a mall owner and moved out. Enjoyed space of my own at a Feed Store and am about to enjoy space of my own in a Hardware Store. W&T's has been fun with lots of great dealers.
Advice? You can't go wrong with a good mentor. If you find someone willing to share knowledge, latch on. ~Mindy
I was raised going to garage sales. My mom still jokes about sticking my carseat in the corner while she shopped :o). Decorating my house and my love for a good deal is how I got started.
Christa :o)
My Grandparents owned the Sister's Hotel years and years and years ago. They were always antiquing and junking. I also grew up in a big old house. I think it must be genetic!
As a kid of a Mom who loved old stuff & a Grandpa who lived for Estate sales, it was pretty much my destiny to become girl who appreciates yesteryear. I love what my family has given me, a love of the old!
Hugs, Raylene
Hi Sue! Definately in the genes for me , my favorite thing to do when I was a little kid was go to the city dump with my parents back when it was legal to let the kids out and rummage for whatever junk you wanted. I do remember the old crazy lady that ran the dump had pulled out an old green enamel cookstove, My mom really wanted this, but the dump lady didn't want to part with it. Then one day we made a special trip with a bottle of whiskey to the dump and the stove was ours! I also had my own shop for three years at my house when my kids were little, worked full time as an inventory control supervisor for a major automotive company and then ran my shop on my days off, it got old and I had a hard time staying home when all I wanted to do was go garage saling. Then rented a booth in a fabulous old feed store that was great , but the owner was a jerk! So that is when we found our current building in Sumner 11 years later we are still there, I am getting tired of being tied down to a store that is open 7days a week, but it has afforded me the opportunity to be my own boss, be a somewhat stay at home mom and work my shedule around my children, something a regular 9to5 job would not have allowed so for that I am EXTREMELY thankful! I do feel a change on the horizon for myself and I know it will involve something in the vintage world I love so dearly!
oh ya, I do have a lot more Texas photos to post soon hopefully. Thanks for asking:)
xo
Amy
Fun to hear your story, thanks for sharing!
Hollie
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