How to Think Like a Business Owner in your Creative Business | Antique Booth Business Tips

[@ginarobertson1949]

I am so glad I watched this video today! Long story short - I share a booth with a friend that I'm not pleased with. I need to make money and she doesn't. She has let another friend put items in the booth without asking me, so I'm asking her to move out and let me have the space. (I'm the one who signed the contract with the mall anyway). I needed to hear that it's not personal, just business. Thank you! I love all your videos.

[@LostFoundDecor]

Absolutely!! Good job 👏👏

[@iraessick1994]

This video I tend to go back and re watch it helps so much !!

[@jennhastings8887]

This is 100% true! I finally got an actual business bank account like a grown-up, lol. Now I am focusing on getting a sustainable record-keeping process together. I realized that I don't actually know HOW to pay myself, which is a pretty fundamental part of running a business. WHOOPS. Until now I have just been buying more stuff.........

[@LostFoundDecor]

Oh my friend . . . that is the CLASSIC booth owner problem. Buying stuff is the fun part! Know you are not alone in that issue! Kudos to you though for setting up your bank account and for taking steps to know your numbers :)

[@haidagirl626]

Oh ya. And I'm opening my store as a grandma with a 7 yr old, 6 yr old and an almost 2 year old on my hip! I am their legal guardian and need to get back to work. All your tips are super great. Mahalo! ❤

[@seeker751]

Great tips ! I sell online only (no booth), and for a long time I modeled my business after hobbyists or collector types when I needed to make a full time income. Im super grateful for the beginning knowledge I got from those people, but I had to move on.

[@jeanmariesvintage2933]

thank you for this video. it points out the nitty gritty. Not always the fun part but the really important part!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Absolutely, not fun but necessary!

[@elisayager634]

Thanks for this excellent information Melanie. I’m 3 out of 4; just need to schedule work and have a plan regarding what I’m working on. You have been so inspiring prior to me opening my booth in February and because of your excellent advice I’ve made money every month. You continue to encourage and inspire! I’ve thought of my business as a business from the get go and this will be my income when I retire in a few years. So thanks for the information and inspiration! I appreciate you sharing your pearls of wisdom (and the real life stories are great, too!)

[@LostFoundDecor]

That’s fantastic Elisa! Congrats on a great start to your business :) So glad I’ve been able to be helpful

[@b.l.wilson9724]

You hit so many valid points. I’ve been losing since getting into this business. My therapist suggested this to get me out of isolation after deployment. I’ve been doing it for this reason and 4 years later I realize it definitely could be a business if only I get out of my head and change my mindset. You’ve spoken all the things I’ve had in my head out loud. Thank you.

[@LostFoundDecor]

B.L., first off, please let me say thank you for your service! And second . . . yes, we are often our own worst enemies. Give yourself some grace, it's ok to make mistakes as long as we learn from them and move on :) Each month try to learn and implement something new, and before long you will look back and be amazed at how far you have come!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Hey B.L., can you shoot me a quick email sometime at [e-mail]? I’ve got an idea I wanna share with you :)

[@mitzimitchell6813]

I see a book in the future!!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Oh man, I wish I could pull that off!

[@twistoffate4791]

@@LostFoundDecor You can. I second Mitzi's motion.

[@sunnydel4818]

Thank you! I so needed to watch this video! 💕🇨🇦

[@LostFoundDecor]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful :)

[@delightfuldaisy1]

In regard to your second point, it reminds me of what I've heard related to Christian ministry: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are! I think this also applies to our business. As you said, we have to look at our realistic options and do the best we can realistically do. Thank you for these practical tips, Melanie! You always offer sound advice and encouragement! I appreciate you!!

[@LostFoundDecor]

That’s exactly right! Dreaming is good and can help us make goals and see where we wanna go. But when it bogs us down and keeps us from taking action, it can hurt us as well. God is not done writing our story, so we just take the opportunists He provides for us at the time :)

[@trash2vintagetreasures]

OMG my fav movie and that line is a fav too! Makes sense ,love this great tips for turning my hobby to bus.mind when I retire! Great video!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Thanks so much!

[@patriciafosbinder8482]

So much great information Melanie, thank you! I am getting ready to retire, and I have always wanted to have a booth, I found what I think is the perfect spot for me last month and rented it! So I have one month experience at this, LOL and can already tell there were things I needed to know, that I didn't know, I'm so grateful I found you!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Congratulations on your new venture! That's so exciting :) It's baby steps . . .learn something, implement, practice, then repeat. You've got this!

[@karenwatson1389]

Great advice! Thank you! P.s. my favorite movie- knew immediately what you were going to say - think I heard Tom Hanks voice! 😉

[@LostFoundDecor]

I can hear it now 😉

[@haidagirl626]

Aloha, Man, I am so happy I came across you! I am not a numbers gal and my first video of yours I saw was about bookkeeping and how to do your costs and expenses and I was HOOKED! I am just opening up my own store (again after 4 years) and need these precious reminders!! Mahalo

[@LostFoundDecor]

I wish you ALL the best! You got this!

[@mylittlecoloradocottage]

Great tips for running a business.i have a hard time with number three scheduling - and trying to figure out what customers are looking for. I shop for pieces that I collect. I love your channel and all the great advice. Thank you

[@LostFoundDecor]

It can take some trial and error! It’s on to go with your gut some… if you love it and can show people how they can use it in their own space, then it’s worth a try!

[@laurenrussell1229]

Very helpful information, Melanie. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@LostFoundDecor]

You are so welcome!

[@crankyladyvintage9434]

Another video full of great advice.

[@LostFoundDecor]

Thank you! Hope you got some good ideas 😁

[@vivianreid4575]

Great info!!!! You have been there and doing it!!!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Thanks for watching Vivian!

[@jbowenandcompany]

Thanks for sharing this valuable information!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@WowThingsThrift]

Great information, thank you 🌸

[@LostFoundDecor]

You are so welcome!

[@george.carrasco]

Great advice Melanie! 👍

[@LostFoundDecor]

Hope it helps!!

[@thepinkflea1059]

I agree with you regarding the feel good advice. Great tips today. Thanks!

[@LostFoundDecor]

You’re welcome!

[@kismet333]

Love this! Thank you so much. I am just like you, here I am starting my own booth/business with a 4 year old, 2 year old, and 7 month old! I am so incredibly overwhelmed at times. Say a prayer for me please.

[@LostFoundDecor]

Hey Elizabeth! I remember those days :) Just take it slow-my first space was tiny, about the size of a jacuzzi bathtub :) My rent was $60 a month, but I made a profit from the start because I tried to be smart about what I had available and how much I spent. After 2 years of saving my monthly profits, I had enough to take our family to Disney! You can do it, slow and steady wins the race :)

[@kismet333]

@@LostFoundDecor thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@donicadigs]

Thank you so so much. I’m so grateful for you!!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Happy to help!

[@zumbawithjudez2458]

Yay!!....So helpful...thank you.... but when you asked in the movie ......."You Got Mail"....... "What is the line that Tom Hank says to Meg Ryan over & over again?? .....I yelled out.... "Go to the Mattresses!!!!"......haha! "Its business, its not personal" Very helpful thnx again

[@LostFoundDecor]

Yep-that’s another line 😂😂 Glad it was helpful

[@vekolrestoration2472]

Thank you

[@LostFoundDecor]

You're welcome :)

[@giulivalencia8590]

Excellent information!

[@LostFoundDecor]

Hope it was helpful!!

[@theoldsonso]

Great video!!!! I love the movie You Got Mail !!!!! A lot of good points!

[@LostFoundDecor]

It's a classic, right? Thanks for watching!

[@theoldsonso]

@@LostFoundDecor You Got Mail is a CLASSIC!!!!! And making a point about it’s not personal it’s business. Hit HOME!!!!!!! Once you put a tag on a items I feel you have separated yourself from that item!!!!! Thank you for all of your hard work!!!!!

[@thelumpkinpatch]

Thank you so much for sharing! So many of these ideas hit home to me... Especially when it comes to relationships within the business. A lot of people really do take advantage and it's hard to set clear boundaries... especially when you don't want to upset customers or co-workers. You've given me lots to think about, thank you for your honesty and sweet demeanor.

[@LostFoundDecor]

You are so welcome! And yes . . . don't even get my started on boundaries, lol! Just remember, saying "No" is not an unkind or unloving response, it just means no. If someone takes it personally, that's on them.

[@Chloe_Stella]

excellent

[@LostFoundDecor]

Hope it was helpful Margaret!

[@iraessick1994]

This great!!!! Thx you!

[@LostFoundDecor]

You’re so welcome :)

[@Pikisyrure]

Thank you for sharing this! I related to so much of what you mentioned. Last year I lost my dad and I started making garlands. I recently started furniture flipping and doing simple home décor items but I have found it difficult to sell my items.

[@LostFoundDecor]

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss :( I am glad though that you have found a creative outlet! It can be tough starting out, remember building a business is a marathon, not a spring. I was thrilled to have $60 of profit my first month in business! I hope you're able to find a good place to sell your items, have you looked into any antique booth rentals in your area?

[@Pikisyrure]

@@LostFoundDecor Hi there and thank you so much for your kind words. I started my search on FB marketplace and posted a few items. Scammers greeted me with open arms LOL! I spent less time writing my PSYC final than posting on ETSY! I have not tried Instagram or done research on the local antique booths. I truly enjoy refurbishing/upcycling items. My dad was an Environmental Educator who advocated for the need to start recycling programs in Mexico so in a way, I feel that I am continuing his work...

[@LostFoundDecor]

That’s great! I love how you see that :) Yes, FB Marketplace can be a tough go. For long term success, creating a “brand” for your business can be helpful. Basically that’s just treating what you do like a business, it encourages other people to do the same. Can help when you’re mainly selling on garage-sale type platforms like Marketplace

[@createbyt]

Would you do a video on how to keep good record or what information you need to track for tax purposes?

[@LostFoundDecor]

We actually talk about that a good bit in my Booth Seller Bootcamp :)

[@anneandrews7053]

Thanks, very informative! Would love to get information on online selling. I opened my own little thrifts and gifts at my home but was thinking about selling online.

[@LostFoundDecor]

You're welcome! Have you checked out this video? I share more about your online selling options :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHndp2lpZ8-Ep7s

[@bohobellevintage]

Great advice! I have a full time job and would like to quit and make this my main source of income. I do well in my booth, but need to triple that amount to be able to leave my current job. I know that I need to do some online sales to get there. Do you think your boot camp would be helpful for me? Again, I do well with my booth but need to supplement to get to where I want to be financially.

[@LostFoundDecor]

Hey Angela! Bootcamp will definitely give you the roadmap to follow and the space to focus, plan, and get help implementing your ideas :) If you're looking to make this a full-time gig, online sales probably will be a part of that (or at least implementing the idea of multiple revenue streams), which we do talk about in the course.

[@Zibutegerard]

Is your boot camp still running?

[@LostFoundDecor]

it’s not, sorry! We closed it last September