Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Spicer.
Hi Candice, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am from Tuskegee, Alabama and my mom was a novice antique collector who traveled to estate sales in the nearby area. Often times we were the only people of color at many auctions and estate sales outside of ugly looks I continue to collect and learn more about the items I was buying. I bought my first antique at the age of 12 and haven’t stopped collecting since. I bought a mid-century/post-modern house and have completely decorated it in 1970s and 80s style my friends always harass me saying my house either looks like “Being Mary Jane” or “Casino” saying that when in my house you need to wear a fur coat and put a few lines of blow on the table. Honestly, my Living Room is gaudy on purpose. With my love of all things vintage my overflow of trinkets metamorphosed into a full-blown business.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been as easy as I would have liked. I started out online and found that I was not reaching the customer. This allowed me to hide behind a keyboard. In many instances I have found that I do not fit the description of being a vintage shop owner, many ask if I am the manager as they have never met a black woman who loves or much less sells vintage.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I was a Federal Supervisory Grants Manager who supervised a team of 25 employees, honestly burnt out, concerned that I did not have a life plan and really wanted to see the fruits of my labor. So I risked it all and took my savings and opened a Vintage Boutique.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t let anyone tell you can’t because honestly, they hope you won’t! I am glad I took the risk and stop letting other people dictate what I should be doing, I had to realize that starting was the hardest part!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.myvintagehomestore.com
- Instagram: myvintagehomestore
- Facebook: My Vintage Home
- Youtube:Tha Vintage Diva
