We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashlee Carroll. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashlee below.

Ashlee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

When I started The Mantel, I knew that the main goal and mission for this business would be to make a connection with people and keep history alive. To spark a memory from one’s childhood, find that oddity that has been longed for, or take the anxiety out of decorating a home. A home is a sacred place and it should look and feel as such. That is why I started The Mantel, to make home decor more than just an object purchased but rather to tell a story and bring happiness and fulfillment in knowing that when you purchase from me you’re breathing life back into lost and forgotten treasures.

Ashlee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Ashlee Carroll and I am the owner of The Mantel. Growing up in a small town, right outside of downtown Atlanta, I was always intrigued by southern living. The antebellum style homes, marquee motel lights, a rocking chair on a front porch, and the slam of a screen door always ignited something in me. So, I guess you could say I’ve always had a knack for things that feel like home, which is a big part of my life today. After becoming a mom in 2021 and realizing that corporate America was not for me, I started this small business that now allows me to contribute to my family and gives me a creative outlet to be able to connect with my community in a way that brings joy and sustainability. It’s always so strange to me to say “owner” or “my business” because to me everyone I meet really is a friend and someone I cherish each conversation with over a shared interest, antiques. As a child my parents were both lovers of all things vintage and antique, which is where I like to believe that my love for those things came from. If I wasn’t walking through a swap meet carrying an antique steering wheel for my dad I was in downtown Atlanta with my mom getting inspiration from luxury stores and homes to take back and recreate in our own home on a budget. So, as a small business with many friends and clients that are young, and just starting out themselves, I do my best to be affordable, create a special place to call home, and bring unique pieces that can be cherished for years to come. At the Mantel we curate a wide variety of antiques, vintage items, and oddities, as well as offer furniture refreshing and design services. I curate for markets, my antique booth, as well as clients who have been on the hunt for pieces to gain a homey feel. If you need it, I can find it! Markets are where I get to meet most of my clients and it’s always so special when they find a piece they love in my booth and I am able to design on a larger scale for them with pieces just as unique. It is also a bonus getting to work with others that share my love for antiques. I am truly so blessed to be able to do what I love and create lasting relationships not only within my community but as well as others around the world through social media. I encourage everyone to take the leap and follow their dreams.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As a young business owner, I am often looked at as a rookie or someone who lacks experience and knowledge. I am honestly thankful for that because it has given me a new perspective on life. I have so much patience for others due to how I’ve been treated as someone who is learning. The beauty in starting something new is that you have the chance to fail and start all over again. I am so passionate about what I do and so eager to learn.

Not too long ago, actually, I was out sourcing antiques for my booth and was at an estate sale. Estate sales are always a hard thing for me. I want new life to be breathed back into the pieces that were once loved by that person but I also want them to be mourned and remembered. Lots of times when you remember someone you remember the way they smelled or how they would mix their banana pudding in a well loved yellow Pyrex mixing bowl. So, I always try to be as respectful as I can when entering these sales, however it might not always be seen that way. While shopping this sale I was told many times to pick up a book and read before I tried to say that I sell antiques, scoffs at how I was buying ratty old books not to be read but displayed in a cabinet, and the look of utter disappointment when I wanted to buy a broken piece of wood from an old bed. Change is always scary and so is letting go. While those things could have made me quit and I believe they were intended to, I persevered with confidence and most importantly, kindness. I think being kind to someone when they are anything but to you is the biggest power move, especially as a business owner. After maintaining professionalism, the homeowner was grateful that these pieces were going to someone that would find them a new home and life. Customer service means so much to me and while I do set boundaries, I also know that perseverance and resilience is key. I hope after hearing my story more chances will be given to the “rookie”. You never know, they might just surprise you!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele is word of mouth. I would rather connect on a personal level than to send an email from an automated system telling you to refer a friend. Conversation is where it all begins. Markets are also a great way to reach a broader spectrum of clientele. When I do markets there are lots of other small businesses supporting me and sharing with others what I do. The community of small business owners is so powerful in creating a name for others. Meaning that if you shop with someone regularly and you ask for a recommendation on a good antique shop, they are more likely to take the word of a trusted business owner than an ad on social media, and I’m so thankful for that. I love that, that kind of trust still exists within small businesses and their clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: Themantelshop.com
• Instagram: @themantelblog
• Facebook: @Themantelblog
• Other: My curated antique booth can be shopped in person at The Dallas Markets in Dallas, Ga. Booth #43 in building #1

Image Credits
Morgan Williamson