We were lucky to catch up with Holly DeBoer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Holly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

One way my business differs from others in the industry, is in our desire to give back to the community in a unique way. I have recently branched out into the political arena where I can share my gifts and talents with those desiring to protect our constitutional freedoms. Together with some passionate friends, we started a PAC call Red Pilled Michigan. We donate our services to help coordinate logistics and design beautiful spaces for various events. Our group styles anything from basic candidate meet & greet opportunities to formal fundraising Galas. We strive to offer a unique atmosphere for guests as they participate in memorable events, which we enjoy co-hosing with the clients. We are designing a new studio space to offer DIY classes for Backyard Brides and other classes for all ages in our community.

Holly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

During my childhood, I loved arranging the table with my grandmother’s sophisticated dinnerware collection, which included a butter dish, cream and sugar set, bowls, and salt and pepper shakers. As a wedding gift, she passed down my late mother’s China to me, which featured a beautiful Robbins egg blue color reminiscent of Martha Stewart’s signature style.

As a mother of three young children, a close friend and I initiated a gathering known as COFFEE CHOCOLATE day. Initially, it was just a few friends meeting weekly to discuss life, exchange recipes, and share motherhood tips. As our group expanded, we relocated from her apartment to my house. I started frequenting thrift markets and garage sales to find exquisite forgotten china pieces, adorning the table for the ladies’ lunches. Each week, I challenged myself to design with different colors, switching up cup hues or unique napkin patterns. I provided endless coffee, lemonade, and iced tea, while the other attendees brought a dish to share. The group eventually grew to 14 women and 28 children.

During a garage sale outing with a friend, we stumbled upon a lovely Haviland China set adorned with beautiful pink roses. The set comprised 108 pieces, and the young lady hosting the sale offered me the entire set for just $10. At the time, I was trying to gather funds for renting a cottage on a lake in Newaygo, aiming for $1000. I decided to purchase the $10 set, researched its value, and found out it was worth a substantial amount. I then took photos, listed it on Etsy and eBay, and turned my $10 investment into $450.

After using the money from the initial sale to purchase another set of Haviland dishes, I resold them and began searching estate sales for more dishware to sell. This process eventually turned my initial $10 investment into the thousand dollars required to rent a cottage for a week vacation. On a rainy day during our stay, , we stumbled upon a charming antique store in Newaygo called River Valley Antiques, which was owned by Mary and Larry Pleune.

The moment I stepped into the antique shop and heard the screen door shut behind me, a sense of belonging washed over me. Following a discussion with the owners about renting a small area to showcase my items, I soon found myself arranging my products on a few shelves within a cabinet. Within six weeks, I had moved to the main floor, decorating the front window and selling beautiful China and furniture pieces.

As I grew more comfortable with thrifting for pieces, painting furniture, and designing window displays, I developed a close bond with Mary and Larry Pleune. They became like a second set of parents to me. One afternoon when I was filling in at the store, I received the news that Larry had pancreatic cancer and had limited time left. Around that time, I had become friends with a community member named Heather, who frequently visited my booth. Heather and her husband Jay made the decision to purchase the store from Mary, considering the circumstances with Larry’s health.

Heather invited me and six other women to join forces in operating a co-op vintage store where we would all have ownership. Each of us would manage our own vendors in our designated store sections. We decided to rename the store Market 41. Around this time, my son and his future wife were planning their wedding. I asked my daughter-in-law to be if there was anything specific she wanted for the wedding that I could assist with. She had envisioned beautiful sets of China on the wedding tables from Pinterest boards. To fulfill her dream, I reached out to various thrift stores that I frequented, gathering as many China sets as possible for their special day.

After being asked by friends about the surplus China after the wedding, I decided to test the waters by participating as a vendor in the Everlasting Blooms vintage market. Half of my booth showcased items for sale, while the other half displayed beautifully tablescape designs with a “for rent” sign

After securing two weddings in a single day and receiving encouraging feedback, I felt motivated to continue pursuing my passion. This positive reinforcement prompted me to seek out a space to expand my business further. Thankfully, Ben and Mindy Peterson, the proprietors of Cheney Place, generously provided me with an affordable rental space on the third floor of their venue to support my business growth. The recommendation for this space came from Mary Pleune, who reached out to me following a family photoshoot with Mindy. The photo session was special as it captured Mary and Larry’s final family portrait together.

After that, accompanied by two friends, Gigi & LaClede embarked on a wonderful journey. The name Gigi & LaClede is a tribute to my grandmothers, both of whom had a shared passion for aiding others, engaging in meaningful conversations, spreading laughter, and imparting valuable life lessons. This journey made me realize that setting the table not only initiates discussions but also enhances the ambiance, creating a timeless gift. Items from my mother’s collection have been used in numerous joyous events such as bridal showers, baby showers, weddings, and other celebrations. I take pleasure in using all of my collection to encourage friends to surprise their loved ones at birthday parties and to gather with my family during special occasions, surrounded by these precious historical artifacts, as we design our own treasured memories.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had been aware of other individuals across the country who were renting similar vintage pieces like mine, particularly those offering classes to share their expertise. This would have helped me navigate through the challenges I encountered when I initially began.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

One of the highlights of my company’s growth journey was to not rush the process but to grow organically and showcase my work while I navigated through challenges. I learned gradually and gained attention by collaborating on photoshoots with fellow creatives. By pooling our talents, we created a captivating setting that highlighted our skills. Through hashtags, our work attracted brides seeking similar wedding designs. This approach allowed them to witness the achievements of someone in their local community firsthand.

My advice is not to fear failure, as it often reveals what not to do and paves the way for more effective alternatives. When receiving advice from others, listen attentively without taking it personally; they are simply offering guidance to support you on your journey.

The advice I received emphasized that rent is the primary challenge for most small businesses. To mitigate this, consider operating from home to minimize expenses until your business expands enough to afford a separate space.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gigiandlaclede.wixsite.com/gigiandlaclede
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigiandlaclede

Image Credits
Photo Credit Kellie Hetler Photography