How I Got Started

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I wanted to introduce myself and tell you about how I got started in business and how my entrepreneurial journey has unfolded. After getting my BA and MA in Art History & Archaeology from Washington University in St. Louis, I decided I just needed to get out there and make some money, which art history is not best suited for. To support myself, I worked as a paralegal for ten years until I tired of it and moved on to something totally different.

I was looking at the Classifieds in the local newspaper one day and the first ad I noticed, by fate or providence, was one for a researcher/photographer for a buyer and broker of antiques. I always loved antiques and figured, with my art history background, I would be a step ahead with my knowledge of the art market. I got the job and really enjoyed it for several years. After learning the details and ins and outs of the business, I left and went out on my own, opening a personal property appraisal and antiques brokerage business. I have successfully operated this business for around twenty-three years now.

I started out selling antiques on eBay and did really well. The appraisal segment of the business was fascinating, and I had the opportunity to appraise some super rare and very historically important items. As I got busier and busier with that end of my business, I decided to stop buying and selling and focus solely on appraising, which I still do today.

With Covid, business slowed down, and I was looking for additional sources of revenue. I was having dinner at my good friend’s (Ellen) parent’s house this Spring, and we started talking about opening up a business together. While talking a few weeks later, we realized we were really good at coming up with logos and taglines, so we decided to found a business branding boutique. As they say, the rest is history.