Why on earth would anyone want to know about me? I am not that special! But I believe it is important to share my story with the countless people out there who dream of stepping away from the ordinary corporate rat-race, and doing what they really want to do. My story is proof that it can be done. Just a few years ago, I was stressed out, creatively stunted, and living for the weekends. Today, I run twelve profitable antique booths, and I still have time to travel, explore, and learn. So, bear with me as I tell you more about my story, and how I got to where I am today.
My story is proof that it can be done
I grew up in a small town (yeah, just like the Mellencamp song) and was raised by a single mom on nothing more than a wing and a prayer. We were dirt poor, but I was happy just hanging out with my friends. We climbed trees, played tag and hide-and-seek, caught lightning bugs in a jar, sang songs, and skipped rope. According to the Kenny Chesney song, I was basically just your average, ordinary American kid. I loved going to yard sales with my mother, finding bargains on things we could not afford to buy in the department stores. Little did I know that seeds were being planted in my young mind that would sprout and develop into my future career!
Fast forward twenty years, and I was raising kids of my own. I wasn’t poor anymore. In fact, some would have said that our family was very well-off. We lived in a beautiful luxury home on several acres of lush forest outside of a thriving metropolis. We owned five cars, including a custom-built convertible Corvette. We dined in the finest restaurants and vacationed in the fanciest resorts. I could truly afford anything that money could buy. Yet, the old adage is true, money does not buy happiness.
All I did was work, work, work- 50, 60, sometimes 70 hours a week! I was a retail executive and corporate trainer working for a major Fortune 500 company. My job was to write, analyze, and teach innovative training programs designed to improve retail profitability. I had one of those jobs where you never punch out. When I wasn’t in the office, I was tethered to my laptop and cell phone just like Ebenezer Scrooge was attached to his ball-and-chain. Of course, I regret those decisions now that my kids are grown, and I no longer have the opportunity to play with them.
When I turned 40, I decided to rewrite my story
When I turned 40, I decided to rewrite my story. I knew if I did not make major changes in my life, I would spend the rest of my life unfulfilled and unhappy. So, I quit my corporate job and started my own antique booth business. The idea came to me when I was shopping in an antique mall, and I saw an empty booth with a sign posted that said, “New Dealer Coming Soon.” I wondered, “What would it be like to be an antiques dealer?” I went home that night and started searching the internet for information about starting my own antique booth business. My search went something like this:
- How does the antique booth business work?
- What does it cost to start an antique booth business?
- How do antique dealers find items to sell?
- What sells well in an antique booth?
- How do you stage and decorate an antique booth?
- How do you determine the value of antiques and collectibles?
and on and on and on…
After all of my research, I found there really wasn’t much information out there. So, I moved on to Plan B: Figure it out myself. My strategy was to use basic retail principles and combine them with old-fashioned “trial and error.” I experimented with different products, merchandising techniques, layouts, designs, etc. It didn’t take long to realize that basic retail principles absolutely do apply to the antique booth business. Coming to this realization reassured me I already had what it takes to be successful- I had twenty years of retail experience. I had the motivation and determination to find my way out of the corporate rat-race. I had the passion and energy to do what I was born to do. And, now I do!
I moved on to Plan B: Figure it out myself
I am a completely different woman than I was just a few years ago when I first opened my antique booth business. I am creating a life for myself that brings me happiness, fulfillment, and balance. I am proud of what I have learned and accomplished along the way. I also feel a call to teach, train, and encourage others. People constantly ask me how this business works, and I love to share my story with them, just as I have with you.
If I haven’t made it abundantly clear already, YES, I would recommend the antique booth business to you. And, yes, YOU can do this too. Do your thing!
XOXO,
Joanna
P.S.
Antiquing isn’t my whole life. As I said earlier, having a work-life balance is important to me. I love music- singing and playing piano. I enjoy traveling and taking photographs. I am a history enthusiast, an art lover, and I find pleasure in reading, writing, and storytelling. Above all else, I draw happiness and wholeness from relationships with all of my family and friends. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank two special people who helped make AntiqueStartup possible.
To Dan, the love of my life, thank you for designing the website and taking care of all of the “behind the scenes” technical details. I could not ask for a more brilliant (or wonderful) man to be by my side.
To Alyssa, my daughter, thank you for being my film and media editor. Your creativity and passion, both for your art and for others, continues to make the world (and my life) more beautiful.
