My Story at 30 | How I got into the Antique & Vintage Business

Hey everybody! Before moving forward, I wanted to give you all a little more background into how I got here. I've had an antique & vintage business for the past 6 years and as much as I would like to characterize it as nothing but sugar and rainbows, I can't. I love having my booth and that's not going to change. I'm working to make it so that my personal life doesn't effect the booth as much as it has in the past but this endeavor requires so much personal attention that it is nearly impossible to keep them separate. I'm also making this video to give anyone that might feel a little lost after college or as a young adult. I hope this video encourages you to keep going and trying new ventures. Your 20's is the time to take risk, try new things and get out of your comfort zone. I figured this video would be pretty boring if I was just talking to the camera... Soooo you will also get the pleasure of watching me struggle my way through a mini upholstery makeover of an antique footstool.
This is my story at 30 & Thanks for watching!
- Amanda
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[@amandasmercantile]

I hope you all liked this little dive into my background & Get PUMPED for my next vintage hunting video in Kansas City, SHOPPING WEST BOTTOMS!

[@tracyyoung4484]

you should write a book..... a lot of people would enjoy your story and learn from your highs and lows in the antique/vintage trade. (Australian vintage lover!!!)

[@shanicedixon8693]

Thank you that was very motivational 😢

[@SouthernBelleModesty]

Well this “awful” video was actually one of my favorites from you because we got to know more about YOU. We all know you’re an incredible business owner and have a fantastic eye for finding things, but this allowed us to understand more behind the scenes. On a side personal note, I think it’s incredible that you have the mindset at 30! Girl, at 30 I had been in a career for over a decade and thought I had it made and had everything figured out. I too, hopped from nearly every “at home” business trying to find something I enjoyed doing. I am very much a homebody and also love entertaining and hosting dinner parties. Well fast forward 10 years now, and I just turned 40. I have now learned that the only way I truly felt secure and as if I was being fulfilled is by first and foremost serving and dedicating anything I did as unto the Lord. But now I am doing something I love and am passionate about. That truly makes the difference. As always, I’m so glad to see new videos from you and thank you for sharing more of yourself with us. ❤️💕

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you so much Kathy! I suspect that I'll be working on my journey for a long which.

[@Skylarkhouse]

Love this video Amanda. You aren’t alone trying to figure out how to make your second job your first job.

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Anna ❤

[@virginiarussell3767]

Keep going, girl!!! Here's something to think about when you get a little bit discouraged: A lot of us are in our 50's and 60's and STILL haven't figured out what we want to be when we grow up! Humbly take each new day as another opportunity--a blank slate! Make the wisest, heart-felt (as well as financial decisions) you know and just see where you are a year from now. You have already learned to stay out of those jobs that make you feel imprisoned! Keep taking steps, even if somedays they are just the baby ones! You are an inspiration to many. From my perspective, you are 'doing life' much better than you think!!💕

[@rhondareeves1804]

Also thank you for the tutorial & yes I do agree re: landscaping fabric

[@shanicedixon8693]

I thought I was the only one who struggled to bring more inventory in as well but I too learned the more I bring the more I sale

[@petesnyder6281]

Doing an antique mall booth is a challenge. But, as you stick with and learn more and keep up with the trends, it is rewarding. I have been doing it for 25 years. I have 4 places that I am in and that is probably too much but one might be gone in a couple of months. I love your story. Keep up your good work.

[@TandEHome]

Thank you for sharing your story! ❤ Your experiences gave me more insight into having a booth, considering brick and mortar and how to manage time with this side hustle. Very much appreciated!

[@bettyallen8809]

You are very talented! Keep going, don't look back.

[@michellebaker7976]

Thank you for sharing. I've been watching your videos from most recent backwards and it's nice to know a little of your background. You do a wonderful job and I love to watch you make things beautiful!

[@olgagaspar1700]

I loved hearing your story. I also love watching all your projects and the end results! Looking forward to your next creation!

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Olga! I appreciate it

[@mr.goodpliers6988]

You have a great eye for design. You are not only intelligent but apply it well. You have a great work ethic that is going to take you places!

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it ☺

[@janinegiordano5265]

Thanks for sharing. Some who are new to the business need to be aware it is all not roses you do get some rain. But also good to remember without rain there wouldn't be rainbows. Follow your passion and do what you love.

[@amandasmercantile]

Exactly Janine. I love this business but it takes real work, that's why its so satisfying in the end.

[@carmencastaneda6600]

Thank you!!!!

[@amandasmercantile]

Yes ma'am!

[@joannnelson9847]

Amanda, Bubbi....you took it down to the brass tacks!!!

[@denisemcnabb]

Super fantastic Amanda!

[@officiallaurenbrown]

You being into fashion and having such an in-depth background makes the beauty and detailed specificity of your displays make SOOOO much sense! -- Lauren

[@officiallaurenbrown]

Also, much respect to the self taught! True entrepreneur's heart!

[@melissacooper8600]

Love hearing your journey in the antique business. You are very talented and a great inspiration. I’m going to do a complete rehaul of my booths this year. I got great ideas from you.

[@cherylmacedo5521]

As a new subscriber to your channel, I really enjoyed this “getting to know you, getting to know all about you”….….video. (It’s a song…ask your Dad). Lol. From where I sit (on the other side of the mountain) your life and the path you are on looks pretty great to me, you are smart, savvy, talented, funny, adorable, you have a great eye for what’s trending, and you seem very comfortable in front of the camera - which makes me think your channel is going to keep growing. So thank you for letting us in, bringing us along, and I am so happy I found you and your channel. The footstool came out GREAT !! PS happy belated 30th birthday. 😘🥳

[@rhondareeves1804]

❤❤❤ Amanda I love hearing your story...thank you for sharing it

[@yared_diego]

So excited for this video

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you !

[@Eva_SunshineThriftFinds]

Thx for sharing your story!

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you for watching Eva!

[@cynthiapate9138]

I enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you for watching!

[@thehappyhoarders3258]

You have a really good channel and make great content. I hope to see a lot more videos from you very soon.

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Jamie! I'm working on my next booth reset video now!

[@lynnel.1083]

Happy Birthday! Great job on the stool. 😊

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Lynzey!

[@yared_diego]

Happy Birthday 🎈🎉

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Yared!

[@tamraanderson9103]

Love your booth. You have great taste. 🐑🕊

[@katrinaphipps8681]

Thanks for doing these videos.

[@thomasbroadwater2214]

I'm new to your channel (1week) and I've learned a lot about you and the business. Pretty cool. I also enjoy seeing the pets meander about too.

[@vivianreid4575]

Loved it! Take care if yourself!😉❤️

[@nlbhaduri]

Keep going Amanda! You r in charge of ur life!

[@whynotredesign]

I have a booth at a mall myself and I love your transparency with how this business truly works. Thank you for that.

[@melissapangan416]

Thank you for sharing your story ❤️ I’m in the process of divorce and it’s inspiring to hear that you didn’t let some bumps in the road stop you from bettering yourself.

[@Mylifefromhome]

I love all your videos! You inspired me to open my own booth! It was great getting to hear a little more about your journey. Happy Birthday!!

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Amy! I watched your new booth tour and it looks great! I hope it's going well and keep making videos!

[@esra_feelit]

Inspirational to watch your videos. Thank you!

[@sharongodwin1477]

My husband just walked in the room to refill my wine glass and I said "Shhhh....it's Amanda"! Ha! Looking forward to the reset. Have a great trip!

[@amandasmercantile]

He came in to refill your wine glass?! How do you find one of those kind of men? 😂 Your husband sounds wonderful. Thank you Sharon!

[@Msdianaanica]

Hi Amanda. I've been watching you since 2019.... when you were getting ready for Luckets . Your set up was gorgeous btw. .. and I was wondering if you could do a video on how you made your rug pillows? Something like this style of video? Or however you want really.

[@marinamercer7846]

❤️❤️❤️

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Marina!

[@ourbeautifulinheritance]

Thanks so much for sharing! Love following your channel, as well as your IG stories! Hope you have a great time picking! If you're ever up in NY, give me a shout!

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Abigail! I appreciate it. Will do!

[@toniamrhein9080]

Your amazing and have taught me alot, THANK YOU !! thanks for sharing who you are,, and what your life journey has been. The stool is beautiful I hope it sells fast.

[@sandybrown7005]

Kuddos!! I got my RE license in 2014... not s simple job.. before I went inactive (moved out of my state) I worked long hours and zero free time. Lol!!

[@Rollie-go]

I like that you show the reality, the hard work and messiness. It's much more relatable

[@francesstacy9877]

Awesome story!

[@jillfogg2892]

Love your videos and I think you are so talented and hard working.

[@paulabuner6987]

loved this video.

[@pamelajohansen882]

Thank you Amanda. I appreciate your candor about needing to adjust our jobs and our lives.

[@victoriaanson8188]

Thank you for your honesty and also reupholstering a stool at the same time, multi tasking! Subscribed to your channel yesterday. I live in a remote area, so i love me a good garage sale or estate sale. Figuring out out how to repurpose, paint or just clean up and selling my items. Thanks for the inspirations.

[@janetspies3078]

You have a great eye.. keep going and I love your videos

[@jeneanmcmullen7782]

Great video

[@findsbymichele]

Happy birthday ❤

[@barbaracarrico3571]

What a great video. You explained everything very well all through your ups and downs and ended on a positive note! You can’t do anything but totally succeed in anything you do! You are so talented and artistic and you have all the qualities of a great entrepreneur! What a hard worker. You put forth your best effort in all that you do! So proud of you! Wishing you the best for everything in your future!!!

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you 😊

[@jacquelinemesa6385]

I'm so grateful to you. We all go thur so much in our journey in life. You stayed on the path to what you can grow with into your future. Thank you.

[@tarynkriebel319]

Happy birthday 🎂

[@haileynoel3047]

Thank you for sharing your story! Love your videos every time, girl! That stool is adorable! Your work is impeccable ☺️ Can’t wait to see the next video 🥰 Have a safe trip!

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Hailey! Hope you liked the KC video too!

[@haileynoel3047]

@@amandasmercantile I did! So jelly! Wish I could shop all those amazing goodies! ☺️

[@cdow68]

I’m extremely IMPRESSED with your reupholstering!!! Great Job

[@jeanrae2171]

All your videos are good.

[@kerrykuss642]

Very informative and encouraging. I was always stopped by needed that extra person. They always wanted to do the fun stuff (buying and going to all the fleas and yard sales) which would have left me to sell. I never wanted to be stuck in a store day after day. I wanted to do the fun stuff too. They also wanted to be a "partner" but never had any money to invest. So, I became a buyer and didn't sell anything. I now have a house filled with wonderful stuff, but nothing was sold. I love my house though I had to do other work to support myself. Luckily I got to do artistic and creative work so I enjoyed that too. I believe people think reselling is a fun job but they don't realize how difficult it is. Thanks for sharing! I feel like you are a kindred spirit to me. I wish you the very best.

[@lauriepotter267]

You are authentic in sharing your story and struggles.....love that! Keep on pursuing your passion and making it fit your lifestyle. You are so, so talented at this.

[@kathleenmay6711]

Thanks so much for sharing your story. Have fun in KC!

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Kathleen!

[@crazybandladystitches-xanl5148]

❤

[@geniawellhausen9771]

Happy Birthday. I so enjoyed your video and your story. Looking forward to the next one.

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Genia!

[@d.e.williams5178]

Happy birthday! I loved this video. And it is so much easier when someone is at least there to help with the heavy lifting.

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you D! I try not to get too needy but I have my limits with lifting 😂

[@michellekinder665]

Do you have any photos of your first booths? As a Newby, it's very intimidating (and encouraging) to see amazing booths like yours. It would be so fun to see pictures of how you've grown.

[@robincivis9501]

I appreciate your candor and real world advice. Enjoy your channel!

[@sydneygorby8184]

Awesome video! And I could think of a couple places to put that cute little yellow stool in my house. It makes me smile just looking at it!

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you ☺

[@esra_feelit]

You’re great! love your story. Similar to mine. I lost my dad this year. I would love to be bk home with dad helping.

[@thehappyhoarders3258]

Very good video. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Jamie!

[@mochagrl78]

Hi Amanda. So glad I found your channel! Your story helped me so much and I'm way past ahem...my 20s. Lol! Loved your realness and your honesty! I feel like we all see ourselves in your story. So thank you! ❤

[@anaermida3721]

Hi Amanda, I already love your personality and your videos and I only subscribed today. Yes, I have been binge watching your videos since😁 Great story, so inspiring! I just can't believe you're not a YT multimillion follower yet😯 Can't wait to see more great videos on your work🤗

[@rhondateal9079]

Happy birthday! I hope you have a great time on your trip and I look forward to seeing your booth reset video! Enjoyed this video!

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you Rhonda! I just finished my reset and am working on the next reset video now!

[@marcypotter8592]

Girl, you have MAD SKILLS!

[@saraharper8569]

I really enjoy your videos and you have helped me A lot in planning my dream of having my own antique booth in the future . You do an awesome job staging yours and give me so much inspiration! Thank you and good luck with yours always

[@jahmasin]

thank you so much for sharing your story. I had lots of questions that got answered. 😀 I love your videos, taste, energy, passion. I hope you find someone that could work along with you in your passions.

[@susanbambridge1076]

I am so glad that I just discovered your site!! You like the same type of old stuff that I do!

[@boulderpicks9759]

Good one

[@jeffvenables4845]

Hi Amanda. I’m Cathy, not Jeff. 😀 I’m a new sub. Love your style! During this pandemic, I think so many people have taken stock of life and determined to spend more time doing what they love. It’s obvious you are also working toward achieving that same type of goal. Keep moving towards that-you are succeeding!

[@carrieparker9589]

Best of luck

[@chattykathie7129]

Yeah west bottom it’s in Kansas City but on the Missouri side😉

[@JB-sl7vv]

🎂Happy Birthday🎈

[@amandasmercantile]

Thank you J B!

[@alisonevans6121]

I loved this video, well done Amanda 👏

[@SouthernBelleModesty]

Oh my goodness!!! Did she say a new reset coming soon??!!! Girl, I can’t wait to see. I was just there yesterday!! Lol. I seriously am at the Antique Mall at least 2 times a month. I have seriously considered having a booth there, but I just don’t know how well a Modest Children’s Boutique would do in the mall. Especially since it’s not true vintage. I know there are 2 or 3 clothing booths there now, I would just be curious to see how they do. For now, I just keep booking events and festivals.

[@amandasmercantile]

Yup! Just finished my reset and am working on the new video now. Hard to say about the children's clothing boutique in the mall. I haven't done much with clothing in past but I would like to get into vintage denim.

[@luciaregalado3479]

I wondered if it’s possible for you to talk to us about auctions…how do auctions work …how do you get hooked up with auctions and so forth ….the auctions that you are involved with I’m assuming their online auctions or are they? Thank you for any information you can give us.

[@lindsayvw9379]

I got a fashion degree as well (merchandise marketing) and worked in LA for 4 years. It was fun but the hours were long and the pay wasn’t great. I wish I went to school for something else but what can you do

[@tarynkriebel319]

Ya good for you, terrible being in a marriage n the support just isn’t there.

[@leahclo4857]

A 10’ x10’ for $115? I wish!! Much more expensive here😩 But I still do ok.

[@anne7441]

Hey, you did a wise thing, although difficult, to end your marriage when you saw that it wasn't working. We often stay way too long! Love your videos.

[@maurawhelan3530]

What about having a picker?

[@CatskillsGrrl]

I grew up calling that a skrim.