THE BEGINNING

I thought I should start this blog by telling you how I started Vintage Finds Magazine.  Like so many of you I am a wife and mother with a strong desire to have my own business. 

When I was my in my early 30's with my children in just elementary school, my husband was diagnosed with a blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma.  The diagnosis was devastating to us all as a family.   His diagnosis rocked me to core and for the first time in our marriage I thought I may be alone and raising two children by myself.  I thought if only I had my own business.  One that I could do virtually, while my husband was in treatment and my children in school.  I read every "start your own business" book you could think of from our local library.  But nothing seemed for me.  I was certainly discouraged.  

Time passed and my husband underwent a stem cell transplant...by the way he did wonderful and I'm happy to say is still here with us today.  The kids were getting older and life was moving on but I still had the desire and need for my own business.  I loved everything to do with computers from research, graphic design to browsing craigslist. 

Then one day my mother suggested I visit a new vintage shop in our town.  The owner, was so sweet and we struck up a conversation.  I suggested that she take a few photos of her shop and advertise her business on Craigslist.  Well she had no idea how to upload the pictures, so I told her I would stop by that next week and do it for her.  I'm sure she thought she would never see me again.  After visiting her again and listing her shop on Craigslist .... I thought wow... it would be great to have a place online that listed these kind of shops.  

With lots of online research I started a website called Thrift Happy, an online directory for RESALE stores.  As I visited local shops throughout Florida, it was very clear that there was a huge difference in these shops.  Although they were all technically reselling previously owned items...they were definitely not all thrift.  There were antique, consignment, upscale resale,  and vintage shops.  I was driven in the direction of the Vintage Shops.  I was amazed by the owners of these shops.  They were so talented at merchandising and had a real love for vintage items.  And so...Vintage Finds Magazine, Florida's guide for the best vintage and antique shops was born.

If you're looking to start your own business, I would advise to just follow your heart, do what you love, continue to gain knowledge and never give up.


P.S.  Although I have this magazine...I am not a writer just a compiler/researcher...so please excuse my grammar. ​