We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jana Holland a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?
Although it is probably cliche and predictable, my little Mama has always been my hero.. Her character and work ethic have always shown me that if you are a good human and work hard, you can be successful and have what you want.

My childhood was not the typical childhood of a child of the 50s and 60s in that she worked outside the home from the time I was just a baby. Each day I saw her dress in her matching sweater sets, put on her heels and leave for work. I didn’t mind that I got myself up and off to school as it was my normal. I do know she was always there for school open house, talent shows, and cheerleader tryouts lending support and love. And that I could hear the whispers from my classmates calling her a “movie star” because she looked so beautiful, and I could not have been more proud.

I was expected to help around the house and could help prepare dinner or fold laundry very young. I didn’t like it at the time, but it taught me you always complete your “work” before you get to play. That work ethic has stayed with me throughout my life. I know by working hard, and harder than the person next to you, you can succeed. And if an obstacle presents itself, you always have a plan b to implement in order to accomplish your goal. I never, ever saw my little mama fail.

I was allowed to make my own decisions, but also had to suffer any consequences from those choices. My little mama would never try to make me into anyone I wasn’t or to influence me into doing what she thought I should do. She has always been there for me if I needed her, but she was so good at making me a “complete person” that I haven’t had to rely on her very often. By instilling this confidence in me all my life and making me realize success can come from failure. Because of this attitude, I have never second guessed my decisions or choices and have taken risks others never would have…..but I was taught to have a Plan B.

I am blessed to still have my little 95 year old mama in my life. She still believes in me and helps me to know it will always be OK. Just work through the problem and overcome the pain. Life is what you make it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
My love of antiques and “old things” has been with me my entire life . At the age of just six I ask my great, great aunt for her mantle clock, and she gave it to me. In fact, I still have it to this day.

I was dragging things in and filling my home with antiques from the time I first had a home. I love the history and the soul they have and how they make me feel. I opened my vintage/antique shoppe in 1994 and everything grew from there.

My love of vintage and antique linens developed years later and I started amassing boxes and boxes, only because I knew these things needed to be saved. However, I had no idea what to do with them. In addition to general antiques, I I started creating home decor and clothing from all my old linens several years later. Those creations became Nettie Jane Designs and named after a Grandmother I barely knew but that I know would love the repurposing of all these things. My creations are one of a kind……sometimes traditional, but more often than not, a little funky with their boho styling. I could not recreate any design I make simply because I don’t have the same linens and textiles to do so.

I am proud that I can take all of these things that have been discarded along the way and make someone want them again. I am pleased that I can also use clients own personal family linens to create a keepsake or treasure for them that can be used and appreciated rather than just packed away to ruin.

It is important to know I have never met a piece of old lace I did not love. In fact, my customers started calling me the “lace lady” because of my intense love of lace and all textiles.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients for me has been Social Media. Although I have a love-hate relationship with that forum, it has been a saving grace for my small business. Anyone not capitalizing on this forum is doing themselves a great injustice. For the most part it is free and only requires your time and most importantly, consistency. You can appeal to masses of people by building your audience and engaging them on a daily basis. Its all up to you, but consistency is the key.

Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?
Upon making the decision to close my. Rick and mortar business and go strictly online I had many emotions. Although I knew that was the direction. I should go, I was so emotionally attached to my building and customers that I had a difficult time just letting go. It had become my life and my emotional support after my husband died. I had to step out of the situation, apply logic to what and why I needed to close the shoppe, then step back in and implement my decision. I closed the business I June 2021 and sold the building in October 2021. It was the right thing to do and although I miss it terribly, the next chapter is waiting and I couldn’t be more excited/

Contact Info:

• Website: www.collectedtreasures.com
• Instagram: collectedtreasures
• Facebook: facebook.com/collectedtreasures facebook.com/nettiejanedesigns
• Youtube: Thegirlandtheghi