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

Hi Katie, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

One year after my husband and I got married we had the opportunity to move to Japan with his work. Neither of us had ever been to Japan or had even considered vacationing there before the opportunity to move was in front of us. So we boarded the plane with our one-way tickets to Nagoya to begin life in a country and culture that was vastly different than where we were currently living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Japan was so different – from driving on the other side of the road, to having six separate trash/recycling cans required in our small high-rise apartment, to learning how to not eat or drink while walking – the Japanese truly appreciate slowing down and sitting still to enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee!
After having the opportunity to participate in Japanese cultural events like tea ceremony, Ikebana flower arranging, hand-sewing a kimono, and others, I had become fascinated by the Japanese kimono. I had studied business and fashion in college, so I when I started wearing Japanese kimonos in a new way – over jeans and a t-shirt or belted as a dress, I decided that I wanted to bring these beautiful and traditional Japanese garments to the US with a new twist. This led me into my next big risk – starting my first business in 2017. Six years later and I am still learning a lot about business ownership! Japan ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I will always be grateful for the risks we took to experience living abroad no matter how uncomfortable it can feel outside of your comfort zone.

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

My first kimono business has evolved into not just Japanese silk kimonos, but now also includes a selection of ever-changing vintage and antique home decor and furniture. I am constantly sourcing and curating mid-century modern, brass, wicker, and other vintage items. I love providing my customers with inventory that has a story in hopes to help show others that you can shop sustainably, affordably, and make your home feel unique to you and your family.

My business name “Brass Bee Vintage Goods” is also special because it is a reminder of the bumblebee saying: “Aerodynamically the bumblebee isn’t suppose to be able to fly with his body being larger than it’s wings. But the bumblebee doesn’t know it and goes on flying anyways.” Even if society or you tell yourself that you can’t do something, try to do it anyways because there really are no limits to what you can accomplish or the person that you want to be!

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

My son was born with complex medical needs which ended up including him spending over 26 weeks in and out of the hospital the first year of his life, along with Covid 19 beginning 6 months after he was born. I had to put my kimono business on pause immediately. After taking a two year break from business, I was able to relaunch and add vintage home goods along with move into a permanent space at a local antique mall. My business looks a lot different than it did before I became a mom, and I am so grateful for how it has evolved alongside with how I have evolved in many other ways.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

The very first market that I was setting up at with my vintage Japanese kimonos I was preparing to market my products towards young women in their 20’s-30’s. What I didn’t expect was that my first sale ever would be to an 17 year old boy buying a kimono to wear as a bathrobe in his future college dorm. He was beaming when he tried on his kimono and I was beyond happy to see my first customer that happy too!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brassbeevintagegoods/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brassbeevintagegoods/

Image Credits
three kimono photos taken by Sarah Caton