We were lucky to catch up with Ashleigh Fischer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ashleigh thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

I started my business in 2018 with a love for vintage markets and antiques, but I wasn’t quite sure how to turn that passion into a real business yet. At first, I experimented with selling custom stickers and seasonal paper cutouts online. I was trying to find my footing—testing what felt aligned and what could be profitable. As I kept going to flea markets and vintage shows, I started sourcing a few pieces and listing them online. That’s when things clicked. I realized I didn’t just love the look of antiques—I loved the hunt, the history, and connecting others with pieces they’d treasure.

A turning point came after a trip to England, where I curated a small collection of vintage goods and brought them home to sell. That experience deepened my passion and gave me the confidence to start thinking bigger. I created social media accounts to document what I was finding, but the real momentum came when I launched my YouTube channel in October 2023. I started filming my estate sale hunts and vintage sourcing trips—and that’s when the magic happened.

By the end of 2024, I had grown to over 20,000 subscribers. This year alone, I’ve gained an additional 19,000+, with a current total of 41,840 subscribers. It’s been incredible to see the response, but it didn’t happen overnight. It took years of trial, pivots, and persistence—especially while balancing full-time work and parenting a toddler at home.

Scaling has come from staying consistent, treating my brand like a real business, and showing up even when I’m tired. I create content weekly, reinvest profits into better gear and marketing, and constantly refine what I source and sell. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s deeply fulfilling—and I’ve built something I’m truly proud of.

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

Hi! I’m Ashleigh, the founder and creative behind The Carolina Bungalow—a vintage lifestyle brand that brings antique charm into modern homes through curated resale, storytelling, and behind-the-scenes content. I specialize in sourcing timeless pieces from estate sales, vintage flea markets, and even abroad—particularly in England, where I find some of my favorite treasures.

I was born in England, and that’s where a lot of my style inspiration comes from. I love pulling in that unmistakable British charm—think cozy, layered, collected—but pairing it with modern, warm, and approachable styling that feels real and lived-in. Nothing too precious, just a home that tells a story.

My journey into this world wasn’t linear. I’ve always loved vintage style and history, but I didn’t start out knowing I would turn that into a business. In 2018, I began by selling small creative items online, experimenting with products while trying to find my niche. Eventually, I started sourcing vintage goods during my travels and at local markets—and listing them online felt like a natural extension of my passion. From there, it just grew.

The turning point came at the end of 2023 when I launched my YouTube channel to document my estate sale adventures and vintage finds. That decision opened up a new way to connect with people. Today, I have over 41,000 subscribers and a growing customer base through selling online (currently Etsy), where I sell curated vintage pieces with a blend of English countryside charm and relaxed, welcoming home style.

What sets The Carolina Bungalow apart is the blend of education, entertainment, and authenticity. I don’t just sell vintage—I bring people along for the whole journey, from the thrill of the hunt to the joy of styling or letting go. My content is meant to feel playful, fun, and friendly—no pressure, no perfection. Just me, sharing what I find, and inviting you to follow along.

I’m proud of how this brand has grown—not just in numbers, but in the community it’s built. Whether you’re a vintage collector, a casual browser, or someone curious about estate sales, I hope you feel like you’re right there with me, enjoying the process.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that I needed to post on social media every single day to stay relevant or “do it right.” When I first created my Facebook and Instagram accounts, I felt this constant pressure to keep showing up—like if I missed a day or two, I’d fall behind. I’d catch myself thinking, “I haven’t posted in two weeks—I need to post something, anything.” It started to feel performative, and honestly, exhausting.

Eventually, I took a step back and realized I didn’t want to create from a place of pressure. I wanted to post when I had something meaningful, fun, or authentic to share—not just because the algorithm or someone else’s pace said I should. I even unfollowed a few creators—not because I didn’t enjoy their content, but because their daily posting cadence triggered that rushed, comparison-driven mindset in me.

Once I made that shift, I felt so much better. My creativity came back. I felt more grounded, more intentional, and more at peace with how I showed up online. And my audience responded positively too—they appreciate the honesty and realness, and that I’m not just filling their feed for the sake of it.

Letting go of the pressure to post constantly helped me build a rhythm that works for me—one that feels sustainable and true to who I am. That change made all the difference.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

My business was entirely self-funded from the beginning. I’ve worked full-time in the government sector in IT for years, and any extra income I had outside of my day job, I put directly into building The Carolina Bungalow.

Instead of spending on clothes, entertainment, or extras, I was buying printers, a better computer, packaging supplies, and of course—vintage goods to clean, photograph, and list online. I treated every spare dollar like fuel for the next phase of my business. If I made $100 from sales, I’d use it to source more inventory or improve my setup. It was all about reinvesting to grow, even if that meant moving slowly at times.

There wasn’t a big splashy startup moment—it was more like layering one thoughtful decision on top of another, over and over. I’m proud of that. It’s been a steady, intentional climb, built on consistency, resourcefulness, and a deep love for what I do.

My goal is that my business eventually surpasses my full-time job, and I can wake up every day doing what I love most. This isn’t just a side hustle—it’s the future I’m building.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thecarolinabungalow.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarolinabungalow/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecarolinabungalow
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCarolinaBungalow
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinabungalow
  https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCarolinaBungalow