I'm Letting You In on My Secret...

For a good while now I've been scheming and dreaming about opening my own shop in downtown Marietta Square. A few months back I did the legwork to obtain all the forms and documents needed to apply for a business license and permits. I also drafted up a business plan, formally mapping out my business goals, the reasons we believe they are attainable, and a plan for getting there. Thanks to my incredible husband, whom I swear was born part accountant, part business man, I believe we have a pretty good thing going.

What type of shop will it be, you ask?

Mostaza Seed will be a vintage resale boutique for the Marietta and Cobb County communities. It will also carry upcycled design and handmade items from local artisans. 

Our target group is the emerging market of socially, environmentally, and budget conscious individuals who seek to fashionably furnish their homes with upcycled, repurposed, and unique vintage and handmade items. A steady flow of vintage items (procured from local estate sales, resale shops, and wholesale flea markets), coupled with readily available materials to craft upcycled products and wares of local crafters and artisans will allow us to create and deliver our value proposition.

They overarching goal is to be a welcoming, Christian presence in the Marietta Square where community thrives and creativity flourishes. Eventually, we'd love to see a coffee shop incorporated into the shop.

Here's the catch. Retail space in Marietta square is roughly $2000 a month and that's currently out of our price range. So, in the meantime, I'm continuing to sell my little heart out on Etsy, making connections in the community, and hoping to rent out some dealer space at a local antique mart by the end of the summer.

I was discouraged when I realized how much overhead would be (and that's probably not even that much for gorgeous historic spaces like this (see below) when you compare it to other places in the country), thinking my dream was impossible. BUT, I've regained focus and am more excited than ever to inch my way towards this goal. An option that I am very open to, and praying about, is partnering with a creatively minded person in the Atlanta area who shares this vision and could bring in more of the handmade element to compliment my vintage wares.

So, that's the dream and it's alive and kicking! I'd really appreciate any thoughts and advice from people who have ahceived this or have dreamt about doing something like this! If you prefer, shoot me an email at mostazaseeddesign@gmail.com