Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Willis.
Hi Kristen, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up I have always loved vintage hats and had a small collection I would wear around the house, especially when cleaning my room or reading. At one time I wanted to open a bookstore but that became unfeasible with the opening of Amazon, so I focused on my second love which is vintage.
I got my first collection of vintage from a distant relative who had recently passed away back in 2008, she had kept all of her clothes from the 1960s and 1970s. Her family had planned on just donating or throwing away the clothing and was happy to allow me to acquire her collection. At that time, I was a college student, a single mom, and in the Air National Guard, knowing I wanted to open a vintage Etsy shop I packed that collection away for the future.
It wasn’t until 2012 that I really started selling vintage on Etsy, even though I had opened my shop in 2011 after graduating with a business degree and had been honorable discharged from the Air Force.
In the years since 2011, I have had 4 more children, moved my business from my small house into an apartment that I call my studio. Where I photograph and store my inventory in 2 separate rooms of listed and waiting to be listed, I have a whole photography set up with lights and a backdrop I use to take professional styled photographs.
I still have a love for hats and have them displayed in the room I used for the listed inventory all over the walls. It is one of the fun visuals used to keep track and as art.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, there have been many ups and downs along the way. A small struggle comes in the form of finding inventory. Living in a rural area there aren’t many antique or thrift stores or estate sales, I find a majority of my inventory at a large flea market my husband and I attend twice a year. Another struggle I had in the past is finding time to work in between taking care my children, who are the most important part of my life. Now that 4 out of 5 are in school full-time I have a bit more time to work, my youngest loves to go with me to the studio to the playroom I have for him and his siblings to play. Making sure to balance family and work occasionally turns into the family working together.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
KVC specializes in vintage clothing and accessories. I curate beautiful to the everyday vintage clothing for those who wear and collect vintage clothing at an affordable cost. Keeping my prices affordable allow anyone to collect vintage clothing and accessories in their closet.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Join a vintage group or three on Facebook or any other social media and ask for help. Most vintage sellers are more than happy to share their insights and knowledge with anyone who is willing to listen.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kvclothing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisvintageclothing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Krisvintageclothing
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Krisvintclothin
Image Credits
Kris’s Vintage Clothing
