Vintage Dealer Interview = Shades of Shabby

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Happy Sunday everyone. I hope you all have had a great weekend and was able to score lots of junkin treasures. Welcome to another installment of "Vintage Dealer Interviews" Today we are interviewing Mary Williamson of Shades of Shabby. Mary has a booth located at: 




Shades of Shabby @ The Farmhouse 
Hwy 16 Turin GA

If you are ready let's get started! 

1. How long have you been a vintage dealer?  3 years.

2. What type of setting (Mall/Boutique/Flea Market) are you in? I'm in a mall. 

3. How many booths do you have? I have two booths. 

4. What size booth/s do you have? I have a 10x10 and an 8x5.

5. What do you sell? Antiques, vintage, painted furniture and smalls.

6. What do you find sells the most in your booth? Painted furniture.

7. What do find sells the least in your booth? Linens.

8. Why do you think your booth has been successful? I pay attention to the trends and keep up with what is most desirable to the market of buyers in our area as well as painting pieces that I know will sell and sell fast! You also have to know how to paint and what products to use. Product knowledge is key!

9. How often do you refresh your booth? Every other week.

10.  What mistakes have you made and learned from as dealer? Not to buy high, you make your money when you buy not when you sell.

11. What plans do you have to improve your booth for the new year? I would love to go to the Mart and find a niche to have in my booth that no other vendor has. 

12. What advice do you have for someone just starting out? Don't buy everything you see just to put in your booth, look at other vendors who are successful and don't be afraid to ask questions on how they are successful! We all can cheer each other on and build each other up in this business!

13. What do you think the number one mistake is that unsuccessful dealers make? Price there stuff too high.

14. Do you do this for a living, part time or as a hobby? Part time passion.

15. Do you stick to a specific color scheme with your booth? No I do not. 

16. Do you utilize social media, and if so, which ones work best? Facebook and Instagram.

17. What is an average month in sales for your booth? My average is $1000 a month. 

18. Do you price your items with even, odd or somewhere in the middle? Even numbers. 

19. Where do you find your vintage goods? Auctions, thrift stores, facebook groups, neighbors and fellow pickers who don't have a booth. 

20. Do you change your booth out to reflect the seasons and or holidays? Yes I do. 

21. Do you swap out stale merchandise or do you reduce it for a fast sale? Swap and reduce the pretty stuff.

22. Do you think booth location is important? Yes very.

23. Do you use any kind of inventory software for your personal use? No but I should.

24. Do you market your booth/s outside social media? No. 

25. Do you sell online too? If so which venue do you use -Ebay/Etsy/Other? Ebay and Craigslist.

26. Would you like to own your own store someday? Oh yes!

27. Do you ever participate in barn sales or pop up sales? If so, how many a year? Yes, I've done one. 

28. Where do you find your vintage items? Auctions, Facebook groups and thrifting.

Mary has some gorgeous furniture pieces. I'm loving these tables. 







I hope you all enjoyed Mary's interview. Be sure to stop by her Facebook page and say hello. The address for her booth is listed above if you would rather visit in person. 
Mary thank you for spending some time with us. We appreciate it very much. 

Be sure to stop by next Sunday as we will be sharing another fabulous interview. 


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