Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghan Cooper.
Hi Meghan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I had the idea for LBE Vintage long before it ever came to fruition, and am here to remind anyone reading that if you continue to keep the fire lit, no matter how much time passes, you can start a business! LBE stands for “Little Big Eyes” and was a cute nickname that my Grandma Carol coined for me when I was a little girl. She and I spent a lot of time together growing up, and even though she is gone now, she continues to inspire me and is with me every day, and is really to who I pay tribute for LBE. She was a sharp-dressed woman, not fussy at all, but simple and classic. She was also a collector of things, as am I, and taught me a lot about the art of thrift. You could find her in a local thrift store on any given afternoon sifting through racks and searching for that can’t live without item. She also coined the term that we continue to use often in our family, that her items were from “GW Boutique,” which meant they were from a Goodwill store. It was her cute way of answering someone when asked where something was from. Along with my grandma, my mother and aunts have also mastered the art of thrift and fashion, and we are all by definition, true “clothes horses.” The things they wore weren’t cookie-cutter and weren’t something you would see 50 of on a rack at a department store. All of their styles added to my natural born state of having a passion for fashion. I absolutely love curating looks and am always being asked – “where did you get that” and knew that I wanted to share my art, skill, and love for timeless, unique fashion with the world around me.
I finally got the courage to get my idea off the ground in 2021 when I became a vendor and placed my first collection at a local store, Thistle Exchange, located at 11300 County Road 99, Findlay, OH. This is still currently where folks can shop my collections. That year I also was a pop-up shop during Findlay’s Spring Art Walk and also a pop-up shop at The Findlay Country Club for its seasonal Sip & Shop event. I then went into the summer of 2022 and was a vendor at Flea Fest in Medina, OH, and most recently have added a collection in-store at hand + home located at 622 South Main Street in downtown Findlay. I also, of course, have an online shop, lbevintage.com, where folks can shop 24/7 and vintage goodies can be shipped directly to your doorstep!
LBE Vintage at this time, is not my main gig. During its inception, I was doing contract work for a marketing agency full-time, and in April of 2022 started my own marketing agency, Creative Media Solutions, LLC. To say I have a few irons in the fire would be an understatement, but I am excited to be doing it all and have plans to open a brick & motor location for LBE hopefully this year in Findlay.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
If I’m being honest, the biggest struggle is not keeping everything I source! No, but in all seriousness, it’s no secret that taking an idea and turning it into a business isn’t for the faint of hearts. There are tears & fears at every corner. And for me and this journey, there was some definite trepidation and self-doubt at first, wondering if folks would see my vision and also finding balance through it all. But with each sale and each individual who takes the time to give me feedback or tag me in a post – I find it gets a bit easier to maneuver and gives me clarification that I am in alignment even though all the puzzle pieces aren’t in place.
I find the hardest part, as of late, being the balancing act and devoting time to the day-to-day. LBE is starting to grow (which I am thrilled about) but at this time, isn’t my main gig, so I am admittingly blundering through some of those things I am sure all business owners are familiar with and just trying to make it all just make sense. As entrepreneurs, the big scary piece is simply just opening, which can feel like moving mountains. The rest is there for us to work through and figure out as we go with sometimes no timeline in place. No two businesses are alike and harbor different norms and barriers. I have had immense support from my boyfriend, Marcus, our kids, friends, and family, and of course, our community. I couldn’t have done any of it without my circle of people who cheer me on. The struggles are what make every business unique, and I think the little scars along the way tell a story. I am proud of the wins and pitfalls because that’s what makes LBE what it is and certainly what it will become in the future. I have A LOT of ideas and plans and just attempting to keep my best foot forward is what is important and is a top priority right now!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I always knew that I had the skills to put together outfits and stylize. My sense of what works and what doesn’t work has always been present and acknowledged and is part of my specialty. I do like to push the envelope a bit when it comes to fashion and try to encourage others to do so. I love adding an obscure element while also leaning hard into basics. A favorite item in my closet will always be a well-made white shirt or blouse and a good pair of jeans – If you have those two things to work with, you’re off to the races in my book!
What I provide are elements of an outfit. I think a misconception surrounding vintage ware is that one must be head-to-toe adorned in vintage, and that just doesn’t have to be the case. The pot of gold is a vintage blazer that has withstood the test of time and is ready to show itself for another 20-30 years on someone new. Or a vintage wool coat that continues to be a staple for me in the winter months. Clothes aren’t always made now like they used to be. I often think about the time and attention to detail that was involved in fashion from the past – the buttons, the stitching, it’s fascinating. Folks then didn’t have a lot to choose from, but what they did have was tailored, well-made, and versatile. I strive to widen the scope of fashion and open doors to possibilities and stylistic opportunities.
Although I love a trend, it isn’t always about that for me, and I think that is what sets me apart from other vintage brands and probably is what I am most proud of. I want people to be able to shop my collection and add elements to their wardrobe that they can choose time and time again and pair with items they already might have. I strongly believe some components of fashion just never go out of style and I am mindful of that when I am sourcing. I don’t want to add to those impulse buying habits that we all embody but instead, give folks a variety of thoughtful items that just make sense and also provide those bold statement pieces that we all need in our back pocket. We will always be purchasing new items from box stores, I can’t change that, but what I can impact is providing that little something special to one’s closet that is a favorite and is something people get excited about wearing.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Saying yes to opportunities, even if they seem scary, has been my kite along the way and is what has opened many doors. I wasn’t always ready in my eyes to be at a flea market or pop-up event and would be slinging together a rack of items right before walking out the door, but most importantly, I showed up. Saying yes to certain things has resulted in meeting others and finding those special people who offer words of advice, wisdom, and inspiration. I think as business owners we can get bogged down by the thought of “perfection” and that in and of itself can cause inaction. Showing up, putting perfection aside, and talking about the adventure is when you really can open yourself up to endless possibilities.
Contact Info:
- Website: lbevintage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbevintage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lbevintage
Image Credits
Lindsay Marie Photography
