We recently connected with Dawn Spicer & Mandi Ballard and have shared our conversation below.

Dawn & Mandi, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

Absolutely — from the outside, running an antique shop like MD Exchange in Macon, Georgia might seem like a dream business: beautiful vintage goods, curated displays, loyal customers, and the charm of working with one-of-a-kind finds. But profitability in this industry comes with unique and persistent challenges.

One of the biggest hurdles is inventory unpredictability. Unlike traditional retail where you can order the same SKU over and over, every item we sell is either one-of-a-kind or available in extremely limited quantities. That means we’re constantly sourcing — from estate sales, private sellers, auctions, or even chance finds. Some days you strike gold, other days you spend hours or money (or both) and come up short. You can’t just “restock” your bestsellers, and you never really know what will walk through the door.

On top of that, pricing is an art, not a science. Customers might love a piece but be hesitant to pay what it’s worth, especially in a market like Macon where we try to balance fair pricing with the true value of vintage and antique goods. We often hear, “This must have only cost you $5 at a yard sale” — but people rarely see the hours of sourcing, cleaning, restoring, and curating that go into each piece.

There’s also the challenge of space and turnover. Because we carry larger furniture, home goods, and seasonal items, every square foot of the shop has to work hard. If something doesn’t sell quickly, it takes up space that could’ve gone to faster-moving items — but again, because we don’t control the supply chain, you can’t just swap something out with a fresh order.

One story that sticks with us: we once purchased an entire lot of pottery from a collector — beautiful, authentic pieces that aligned perfectly with our aesthetic. We thought it would fly off the shelves. But even with beautiful displays, styling, and education around their value, it took months to sell through — and in that time, those shelves weren’t earning. It was a lesson in how taste, timing, and customer awareness play a huge role in what moves and what lingers.

Despite all this, it’s incredibly rewarding. We’re proud to be part of the Macon community and to offer something unique and lasting — but it’s definitely not a “set it and forget it” kind of business. Behind every charming shelf is a grind most folks don’t see.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

We’re the co-owners of MD Exchange, an antique and vintage boutique located in downtown Macon, Georgia. MD stands for Mandi and Dawn, and together we’ve built a shop that reflects our shared love of storytelling, design, and all things beautifully worn-in and well-loved.

Our journey into this business grew out of years of collecting, creating, and curating. We’ve always been drawn to the charm and craftsmanship of vintage and antique goods — the kind of pieces that carry history and character. What began as a personal passion evolved into a shared vision: to create a space where people could shop intentionally, find meaningful pieces, and feel creatively inspired in the process.

At MD Exchange, we offer a thoughtfully curated mix of vintage and antique home goods, clothing, accessories, seasonal collections, and gifts — as well as a growing number of collaborations with local artists and makers. We also host creative community events, like our Flower Bar, workshops, and our popular One Cent Event, which keeps things fresh and exciting for both regulars and first-time visitors.

We aim to solve a few key problems for our customers:

Helping them create spaces and wardrobes that feel personal, unique, and collected over time — not mass-produced or trendy.
Offering an accessible alternative to fast fashion and big-box home decor by focusing on sustainable, secondhand, and handmade pieces.
Bridging the gap between “vintage” and “modern living” — we style and present everything in a way that feels current and livable.
Creating an inclusive and inspiring environment where people feel welcome, even if they’re “just browsing.”
What sets us apart is the way we curate and display our collections — every piece is chosen with intention and styled to spark ideas. Our shop changes frequently, with rotating themes, new arrivals, and unexpected moments that make it feel like more than just a place to shop. We’re also deeply rooted in community and collaboration — whether it’s partnering with other local businesses or hosting neighborhood events, we love connecting with others through creativity.

We’re most proud of the way MD Exchange has become a gathering place — somewhere people come to feel inspired, to slow down, to find something special, or just to enjoy the vibe. It’s more than a business to us — it’s a creative outlet, a reflection of our values, and a way to give back to a community we care deeply about.

If you’re new to MD Exchange, we’d love to welcome you in. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect vintage pot, a one-of-a-kind outfit, a meaningful gift, or just a few minutes of calm in your day — we think you’ll find something you didn’t know you needed.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

We met the way many good creative partnerships begin — by doing what we love, side by side.

Both of us — Mandi and Dawn — were vendors at local antique markets around Macon, each running our own booths and building our own small followings. We didn’t start out as business partners, just two women with a shared love for vintage hunting, styling, and curating meaningful spaces. Over time, we kept crossing paths — at estate sales, markets, sourcing trips — and it became clear that we shared a similar eye and energy.

As we got to know each other, we realized we also shared something deeper: a vision for what a truly special shop could look like. We both dreamed of a space that felt more like a creative experience than just a store — something ever-changing, community-centered, and built on thoughtful curation.

Eventually, we took the leap together and opened MD Exchange — a name that reflects both of us (Mandi + Dawn) and the idea of exchange: of goods, of creativity, of stories. What makes our partnership work is that we each bring different strengths to the table, but we’re totally aligned in our values and aesthetic. We push each other, support each other, and trust each other — which is everything in this kind of business.

Looking back, meeting through the market scene was the perfect beginning. It gave us time to watch each other’s styles grow, to build respect for each other’s work, and to realize we were stronger together than we ever were apart.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

One of the most effective strategies for growing our clientele at MD Exchange has been creating an in-store experience that’s always evolving, while also staying deeply connected to the local Macon community — both online and in person.

We treat the shop as more than just a retail space. Our displays change frequently, our collections rotate with the seasons, and we’re always introducing new concepts — from our One Cent Event to curated vintage capsule drops. That constant reinvention keeps customers curious and excited to come back.

Beyond the shop, local markets have been a huge part of our growth. Before opening MD Exchange, we were both vendors in the Macon antique and market scene — and we still participate in local events whenever we can. Markets allow us to meet people face-to-face, connect with new customers, and introduce our brand to folks who may not have visited the shop yet. It also keeps us grounded in the community and lets us hear firsthand what people are looking for and loving.

We also use Instagram and social media as a way to pull people into the world we’ve built. We don’t just post items — we share stories, style inspiration, behind-the-scenes looks, and the heart behind what we do. It’s less about “selling” and more about creating a conversation and community around vintage and sustainable living.

And honestly, word-of-mouth has been powerful. Macon is the kind of town that shows up for small businesses, and we’re incredibly grateful that our customers share what we do with their friends, family, and followers.

In the end, it’s all about connection — staying inspired, staying visible, and showing up in ways that feel real and rooted in the community we love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://md-exchange.square.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m.d.exchange/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/m.d.exchange31201/