Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Myers.
Lisa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a teacher by trade, and spent the last 8 years of my career teaching Special Education. Antiques and Thrifting have been part of my lifestyle since childhood, however. That backdrop has served me well as a business owner in the vintage and antiques space.
I had been renting a booth as a vendor in the store I now own for about 4 years when the former owner became ready to sell. I was not in a teaching contract at the time, as I had resigned to care for my dad who was entering hospice with pancreatic cancer. After Dad’s passing, I was ready for a change and the opportunity to explore life creatively. That desire for change, coupled with my sense of adventure, propelled my decision to purchase the store.
I was both excited and terrified. Excited for all the obvious reasons, and terrified because I had so much to learn! But I knew I was a hard worker and that there was nothing I ever put my mind to that I didn’t accomplish by sheer determination, if nothing else.
My business model mixes vintage, antique and new home decor. We also have a growing line of Kansas-made and Kansas-themed items.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing in life is ever really a smooth road, is it? The path became bumpy for me almost immediately. As fate would have it, I purchased the store 3 months before covid reared its ugly head. That was an epic challenge, but we pivoted and sold enough items online to stay afloat until we could reopen.
I think not having a business degree has made certain aspects of owning the business more difficult. Things that I might have known with the proper degree, I’ve learned on the fly. When your name is on the bottom line, you find a way to make it work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We carry a perfect blend of vintage, antique and new home decor, Kansas-themed gifts and a variety of locally made food products. With 17 inspired dealers, inventory is always changing. We give careful attention to creating beautiful vignettes, well lit displays and an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Smooth jazz is always playing in the background while the scent of fragrant potpourri helps create the perfect shopping experience.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck. I do believe in God, however, and He has always taken care of me, even when I could not find a way on my own.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: frontporchottawa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063638286837&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
