Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Grigsby.
Hi Dana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
As a Marine spouse of my husband’s 30-year career, moving every two or three years meant having to be a Jenga master trying to fit items into the base housing offered while making it homey and comfortable for the family. We all became adept at utilizing the space provided with the items procured or brought with us on a limited weight allowance. Repurposing, thrifting, upcycling became our buzzwords. Then once retirement loomed, creativity took over from upcycling into a challenge of taking something and making it into something else, e.g., globes into lamps, cigar molds into shelves, etc. My husband encouraged me to make my hobby into a business, and The Gilded Exchange was born. Allowing the vendors and my crew to showcase their creativity in a large, open, beautifully appointed space not only makes for a happy place to work but brings a much-needed resource in retail/resale/consignment option to Northwest Ohio.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Everyone has been very supportive in getting this venture off the ground. As Perrysburg has always been my home base, the turnout has been tremendous! There have been people in my life for a “season” who have been instrumental in offering advice, assistance, get-your-hands-dirty-work days/nights in support of this great adventure. We have a great group of vendors and consignors, and my crew is very hard-working. The struggles along the way are measured by not being able to spend enough time with my mom, who is in assisted living, not being able to move my son into his new apartment at school, having to DVR the Ohio State football games…small things.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Traveling around the world while working for the government, meeting my Marine in Madagascar, traveling with our children courtesy of the Marine Corps has allowed me to form the most amazing tribe of women friends. Being able to volunteer at the White House was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which showcased the best our country has to offer. I don’t know that I’m different from others; I just try to pray daily, thank my God for my blessings, and raise my children to be good humans. All this while thanking my lucky stars for my wonderful (hot) husband and showing up to work hard every day.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What’s NOT to like about Perrysburg??? O-Deer Diner, the world-famous Way Public Library (I think so anyway), the sports programs in Perrysburg (Go Jackets!), 7 Little Cupcakes!!!, Perrysburg’s finest police and fire firefighters, the Farmer’s Market, Mr. Freeze, can you see a food theme here???, and of course, the newly opened Gilded Exchange!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thegildedexchange.com
- Instagram: thegildedexchange_
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/gildedexchange
- Other: linktr.ee/thegildedexchange
