Launching Our Online Vintage Shop During Lockdown: A Journey of Passion and Perseverance
When the pandemic hit in early 2020, my husband Billy and I, like so many others, found ourselves at a loss. Our performing artist work disappeared overnight, teaching sessions cancelled, and our livelihoods put on hold. Those first few weeks of lockdown were filled with overwhelming uncertainty.
But necessity is the mother of invention, as they say. Out of hardship came opportunity - the chance to finally pursue our shared passion for vintage furniture and décor. With time on our hands, we decided to launch an online business sourcing and restoring antique treasures.
Easier said than done during a lockdown! We had to get creative, sleuthing out leads from our collector contacts on pieces we could view virtually and pick up contact-free. I like to joke we were pioneers of 'contactless antiquing’!
I dove into online reupholstery tutorials, motivated to revive tired finishes and fabrics. Meanwhile, Billy helped set up our online presence and brand - designing our branding, website, and registering on marketplaces.
Our enthusiasm grew as we envisioned sharing these historic pieces with others longing for unique décor while stuck at home. Though sales started slowly, each like on Instagram or gushing call about a new arrival fueled our momentum.
Come summer and lockdown was lifted, we could finally go out and source our stock the traditional way - meeting face to face with sellers and contacts.
Some days the challenges of launching a new business amidst such uncertainty felt daunting. But focusing on our passion for inventive restorations and matching vintage gems with appreciative homes gave us purpose.
Four years on, I'm proud of the cosy online community we've built sharing decor tips and virtual antique hunts. Our vintage venture became not just a business, but a means of human connection when we needed it most. And for that reason, I'll forever cherish our lockdown journey of passion, perseverance, and yes...one or two DIY mishaps along the way!