Today we’d like to introduce you to David Kowalski.
David, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I got started about 6 years ago when I got laid off from a job. I had no idea what I was going to do but ended up renting a space with a couple of friends in an antique mall called Paris on Ponce and made it work. It was one of those sinks or swim moments that really pushed me to make it work.
Once I started to understand the industry and sell more and more, I started selling with One Kings Lane and that’s when I went full time with it. I moved around a bit to different antique malls and started selling with a few other sites and then landed in Westside Provisions about four years ago. Now I have a few other side hustles under the same company, like making candles, an Airbnb property and design work.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would say it’s been smoother than I thought it would be. There were definitely struggles but overall it’s been such an amazing journey and that has only been because of the kindness of others. I would not be where I am without some really great people. I would say the biggest struggle I have had is just handling the business type stuff like accounting and things like but other than that the struggles have been manageable.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Brick+Mortar story. Tell us more about the business.
So Brick+Mortar is a vintage and antique home goods shop and I do rotating pop-ups within my shop with smaller brands that don’t have a retail presence. I also hand pour a line of candles that we sell in the shop and wholesale as well under the Brick+Mortar name. You can find the candles in about 25 shops nationwide and with a few online retailers as well. I also do design work, mostly commercial design (ie. ladybird, armor yards, etc).
The most recent thing I added to my business is my Airbnb where I renovated a 1974 Argosy and rent it out to amazing folks. I hope I am known for good design and great products. I love continuing the history of a piece so I hope I am known as someone who cares about the history of a piece and cares about quality. one thing that I have fallen into that I love so much is hosting my Airbnb, I hope that people think of me as a great host who cares about all the details of a stay.
I would say the thing that sets me apart is that I really put my heart into everything I do and I think people can tell. If I’m making candles, I try to make the best candles I can and the only ones that I would put into my own home. If I am hosting someone in my Airbnb I want to treat them like they are a part of my family. If someone walks into my shop I want them to feel the effort I put into choosing the products and know that I would only put things in my shop that I would personally buy. And if someone sees my design work, I want them to feel the care that went into choosing every element of the design plan.
I am probably most proud that I get to be a part of people’s homes and lives. that hopefully everything I do enhances their lives and makes them feel better, from candles to furniture to design. there is this Danish word hygge that is really trendy right now and it means a feeling of coziness that brings contentment and well being. That is what I strive for in what I do and I hope that comes across.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Well… I hate to say it but retail seems like it is dying. I hope that it is not and I will operate like it is not but you have to adapt, so I am also trying to shift focus to online as well.
Design trends change a mile a minute but I hope that I stay true to my aesthetic which is a mix of Americana with the Scandinavian design. Minimal and Midcentury have been trendy for a while which I am totally down with but I think the most important thing is to surround yourself with things you love and that have meaning and be thoughtful about what you put in your home.
Pricing:
- Candles are $28 and a half-price refills if you’re local.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1170 Howell Mill Rd Suite 106 Atlanta, GA 30318
- Website: thisisbrickandmortar.com
- Phone: (404) 492-9207
- Email: david@thisisbrickandmortar.com
- Instagram: @thisisbrickandmortar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisisbrickandmortar/
Image Credit:
Rustic White Photography-portrait, Carrie Friesen
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
