In the middle of the summer I made a pretty spur-of-the-moment move to a new location, into a MUCH smaller booth space. Since then, I’ve had a lot of questions about why I moved, what I am now selling, and in general what my plan is. So I’m sharing the story and my thought process in today’s video, hoping it’s maybe helpful to you guys as well. Thanks for watching!

I live in the northeast and have to rely primarily on thrift stores for new product during the cold weather months. But as we all know, their selection isn't always great and the prices have gone up. Therefore, I do stockpile from garage/estate sales, church rummage sales, etc to help me get through the winter months. I find the best items at the lowest prices during the summer.

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

That makes sense, of course every business is different and has different needs

The inventory one goes straight to the heart. Actually... my eyes are bigger than my stomach. "Oo! I can paint that little thing!" Months later it's buried in a pile. 😢😊 Thank you for your insight! Good luck in your new space. And best wishes with the fabulous kitty story!

@cobaltdogs

11 ай бұрын

😂me too

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

It’s sneaks up on all of us!

@CurvyGirls

10 ай бұрын

You take the resources to paint or repair the item, it looks really great, folks are looking at it, the price you need to recoup your investment doesn't align with the price being offered, which is often the unfinished price you bought it at.

@b.l.wilson9724

9 ай бұрын

This is me too.

I watch you and both of those ladies that are downsizing. I have had several booths and the best profit I made was when I had the smallest space. At some point having to drag things all over gets old, as well as the booth owner getting all of my profits, so I would like to start an Etsy store and eventually sell online on my own site. I don't understand how anyone makes money at a booth unless they are selling many large furniture pieces and I just don't want to break my back. People who shop at antique booths and complain about the prices have no idea what kind of work goes into stocking and maintaining. You are a smart woman and I have fond memories of us blogging at the same time. Glad your time blogging has paid off. Hugs.

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Hey Lucy! Yes, I agree to all of that :) I hope you’re able to get started online soon!

@CurvyGirls

10 ай бұрын

Your assessment is correct and forward thinking.

You are such a smart business woman Melanie! We closed down our booth last summer because I do what you do - having multiple revenue streams is a must!

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

There really are only so many hours in the day, right Cindy? I love making these videos and writing my blog, but those eat up time… if only I could clone myself 🧐😂

@Goodsonvintagetreasures

11 ай бұрын

Love your paint shelving. Did you Maggie them or buy them.

Great video and advice. I love how you noted that running a successful business requires multiple revenue streams. So true! Oh and the kitty is adorable.

Truth - thank you for sharing your downsizing strategy. Well I recently had to downsize. I had 3 Vendor booths, all were 3 different sizes. I’m a caregiver for my Mom, and I couldn’t do it all no more. So, I closed all 3 Booths. I will miss it a lot! But I’m selling on EBay and Marketplace. This way I’m still in the game- but on a slower pace, that is good for my Family right now where we are. It feels good! I had no storage and I put stuff in my Home strategically. I’m looking forward to getting my Dining Room back!!! Lolol

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Yes! It’s nice to take your house back :) And great to realize this may not be forever, but it fits this season where you are needed by your mom 😊

@norriewise9532

3 ай бұрын

I know when I want to mail a small gift to my friend in WA (from CA) it costs me as much as the gift sometimes. So I can't imagine how anyone can make any kind of profit selling online with the cost of shipping. I never had anyone to ask about this, so I'm hoping you can clue me in. I always dreamed of having a small antique store in my small town, but overhead would make it impossible. Then I started seeing people talk about Etsy shops and such. But then I got that mailing cost issue. Some clarity please? Thanks

Wise words, Melanie! I’m evaluating my numbers & looking to tweak my business.

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Paula :)

Keep making these great videos for treasure hunters , small businesses, and booth owners. I am learning a lot. Thank you so much from Georgia ☀️ 🍑

@LostFoundDecor

8 ай бұрын

Thanks, will do!

You always have such practical tips and words of wisdom! We truly appreciate all you do to help us. And your makeup looks beautiful!

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! I’m glad I’ve been able to be helpful :)

Great recommendations! It's why I specialize in Ephemera and Buttons! I have been a dealer since 2001 and over about the first 6 years I began to notice that I was wasting space with a lot of items that weren't selling and gradually replaced them with Ephemera. I have always loved buttons and in 2004 became a member of the National Button Society and began featuring buttons in my booth- I love educating others about them!

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

I love ephemera! Admittedly, I don’t know anything about buttons, who knew there was a National Button Society?! That’s so awesome you found your niche and that you share what you’ve learned with others 😊

🙏 You answered a prayer this morning! You said all the things that have been bouncing around in my head. A recent opportunity for a large booth space opened up and it didn’t feel right. I will be seeking out a smaller booth space. ❤

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

You got this!

I am happy you made this video and I found it really helpful. I’d be wicked disappointed if I went to your booth and didn’t see something you had a hand in creating because you are so talented. You’re also very trustworthy I appreciate you taking the time to explain your situation and I’m so happy things are falling into place. Everything will work out❤️

@LostFoundDecor

9 ай бұрын

Thank you Lynnette! I'm so glad it was helpful, and I appreciate your encouraging comment :)

This is just an observation, not based on any research, but I wonder if the market isn't saturated right now? It seems all the antique malls around me have waiting lists now. Of course, I'm part of the problem .😂 Harder to sell stuff when there is so much competition. Thanks, as always, for your honest insight.

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

That could TOTALLY be the case as well!

Thank you Melanie. This is such an excellent post….I love your channel! Selling in booths is such a fluid experience.

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! It really is.

I have two booths two different locations. Due to major illness in my immediate family household, I decided in June to close them both after I get rid of my inventory. I thought September. But I have purchased so much inventory. I bet I won't be done by December. I have stopped buying, but that is ALOT of inventory. And if something does it sell at 1 place, I move it to the next.. It's absolutely ridiculous the amount of inventory I have. If I stock every week, then my booths do very, very well but it takes all of my time up on my days off and I just can't do it anymore. My family's worth more. This was a second job. I have a full-time job but I get it. When it comes to having all of this inventory, it's crazy..

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

I am so sorry Heather to hear about the health issues in your family. And you’re so right-the amount of inventory we often carry is so overwhelming. And it’s the overwhelm that winds up getting so many people-we forget what we paid for something, it sits and gets dirty again, takes up space in our homes and garages, and ends up being a burden on our businesses. That’s a big part of why I’ve always tried to fight the excess inventory narrative, there are ways it effects us mentally and emotionally, which wind up taking a toll on our business (I am spending my day today working on cleaning out my own garage and excess stuff!). I hope you’re able to sell out quickly and focus on your family’s health-hugs from me!🤗

Thank you, Melanie! Great tips and advice as always ❤️

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

You are so welcome!

Thanks, as always, for sharing the plain old facts of business life!! I appreciate you!!!

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

My pleasure!!

Your hair looks amazing in this video!

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! I think the humidity was low, lol!

Wow .! you are amazing you have great knowledge on business.

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

I appreciate that!

You have been so helpful! Can you explain what you mean by personal shopping? It sounds interesting. Is it curating home furnishings for someone?

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Yes! Like maybe you know an interior designer that’s looking for specific things for a client’s house, or you have a collector who is looking for certain items-they pay you for your time hunting things down. Or someone is decorating a kid’s room and wants vintage toys to use… same kind of idea. Not everyone has the time to hunt or wants to take the time :)

Love your videos!

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Great advice ❤

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I really enjoy your videos.

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

I appreciate that!

I realized that my bigger booth that I took on at the beginning of the year was Just i wit wit thank I could chew. I just made the decision to take a space half the size.

Great info! I have a little booth, too. Its what I can manage, but I'm considering a second. I'm still trying to figure this booth thing out.

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

It’s a marathon, not a sprint :) Ok to grow small and at a manageable rate!

I have a small booth that I am selling all the stuff I have already accumulated and downsizing in my home. The kids don't want it. It feels great to be free of stuff! I will eventually close my booth and enjoy retirement. July and August are always sloooow that you just want to quit. But it bounces back every year when school starts.

This is going to be really helpful for me. Just started a booth a couple of months ago. A retirement side-gig. Could you provide a link to your blog? Thanks!

@LostFoundDecor

2 ай бұрын

Yay! Sure thing! Here’s the link: www.lostandfounddecor.com/blog/

Thanks!

Since I am a newbie, I also have a small space and I’m trying to figure it out watching you is helping me immensely. I want to start putting some of my vintage stuff online is there a good site that you use?

Living room, 2nd bedroom and 2 storage units full of inventory. I have too many booths…I love all 3 locations. I recently downsized significantly at 2 of the markets. At the large market I have a 10x10 on the 1st isle finally after 3 years and I have a 5x10 in the middle of the store that does equally the same amount of selling. I truly need to give one up but I’m conflicted. The smaller booth has power/light/built in shelving; the large booth does not have power and is dark but is in between 2 of the top sellers. By December 31 I need to decide or pick my game wayyyyyyy up.😐

I am having such a hard time getting started. I am refinishing furniture and it I can not get the $ for it locally on marketplace or swip swap. I recently started an Etsy shop with but only have two pieces and shipping is so expensive! I work PT so I only have a certain amount of time to work on pieces. I have thought about going to local stores to sell in consignment but I have found they want a 59/50 split. Ugh. Not sure the best route to take. Any thoughts

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Hi Jennifer! Congrats on getting started! I’ve always sold my furniture through a retail space-like a rented spot at antique mall. And that’s because I couldn’t get good prices on marketplace, people wanted garage sale prices there. But furniture is a slower seller, so I filled my booth with other smaller items also. Do you have any presence on social media? You could start promoting your pieces there, but still sell from home. I always say if you act like a business, people are more likely to treat you like one :) So try taking some great stages photos and start branding yourself on social media as a local furniture shop. It will take awhile, but if you don’t want to rent a booth space that would be my suggestion. Good luck!

@jenniferpuff697

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for the advice! I will try promoting on social media 😊

Do you use Wordpress for your blog? I was trying to decide if I need Wordpress or just blog on my Shopify site. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@LostFoundDecor

10 ай бұрын

Yes, I do use Wordpress for my blog, and mainly because I had that first. The big difference is that with Wordpress, you can eventually monetize and earn ad revenue. Blogging on the Shopify platform is great for your Shopify store SEO and to help drive sales for your online shop, buy I don’t believe you can ever monetize it with ads. So it really just depends on what your goal is-blogging as a source of potential revenue or blogging to drive traffic to your online shop. Hope that helps!

Great information

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

God bless u for rescuing kitty

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Thanks! It was fun having her here for the week

It’s so hard to find a place in my rural area

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

I've heard that from a lot of people . . . maybe online is the way to go?

How are you selling online?

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

I have an online store and also list on Etsy. I use social media and an email list to promote my items

Is it usual to have slow months in an antique mall?

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

Yes! Summer is often really slow

Where are you located now?

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

At Gathered Goods in Rogers :)

Everything makes a lot of sense, but...please do your research, the USA has a REALLY strong economy right now. Peace and Love

@LostFoundDecor

11 ай бұрын

I think that’s all about perspective… and depends on the factors you’re looking at. I know in retail, which I’ve been in for 11 years now, things are not moving like they were 3-4 years ago. I’m also paying more for my products due to inflation, my supplier’s prices go up, so do mine. So yes… it could be much worse and some things are still doing fine. However I have seen issues with major drops in retail sales (across all areas of my business) starting in Feb of this year. There are still customers and money to be made, but the climate currently is not the same as it’s been for me in the past :) Just my 2 cents