Today we’d like to introduce you to Leeann Van Dyne
Hi LeeAnn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We moved to Kansas City in 2009 and my husband and I decided to downsize so I could do something more creative and maybe start my own business. As a result of our downsizing, we had a lot of vintage items to sell, and I decided to rent space at an antique mall. My business and style evolved from there. I started making a nice profit and loved being my own boss. As my business grew, I accumulated several storage spaces and an office/work space; all overflowing with stuff. Seeing the amount of money going to rent, I really wanted to open my own shop and move everything from storage to the store and have it for sale. I’m in a cool, walkable historic neighborhood with several other vintage stores, fun bars and restaurants. It’s a great area for young people looking for sustainable furniture, accessories and clothing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s always challenging to find great things to buy and sell, there’s a ton of competition here in KC, we have a lot of vintage stores and malls. I’ve had to expand my search much further out of town and even across the country. I’m constantly searching and it can be exhausting. It’s physically taxing too, I load, unload and move pieces a single person would shy away from; I’ve come up with creative ways to move sofas and dressers on my own. Having my own business means I’m working every day all day; but when I find something fabulous that I’ve never seen before, it’s makes it worth it!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I buy and sell vintage items from the 1950’2-1990’s. I focus on fun pieces that aren’t what you see in today’s furniture stores. I also have a focus on vintage lighting, bar ware and jewelry. I keep my prices in the mid range from the competition, trying to provide great funky style at affordable prices. I also have 6 other vendors who sell vintage clothing and vintage furniture and small goods as well.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popvintagefurniture?igsh=MWZ3NWF5bHowcG1sZw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/popvintagefurniture?
