We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kellie Hoff a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kellie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
When I first started my business, it didn’t even occur to me that I needed a name! I was just going to sell a few home decor items and furniture for my parents when they were downsizing. I got a small space at a local antique mall and set it up. As I started to sell things, I wanted to make sure that my price tags were easily recognized, both by my customers and by the staff of the antique mall. I decided to search for a stamp that I could put on one side of my price tag, one that was the right size and was pretty. I found a small butterfly stamp and chose teal ink. As my selling progressed, I realized I needed to have a business name. I needed something that was available on social media, email accounts, etc. I thought “Why not The Teal Butterfly?” I liked the imagery of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly too. I often would take a vintage item or piece of furniture that needed some repair or updating and make it beautiful again. I liked the idea of transforming a worn or discarded item.
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.
All of my life I have enjoyed creating and also finding and collecting time worn things to decorate our home. When my parents decided to downsize, I offered to help sell some of their things at a local antique mall. I started in a small space and found I really enjoyed the whole process of setting up my own little store inside a big store. I started going to garage sales, thrift stores, and estate sales to find more inventory. I learned how to paint furniture to give old, discarded pieces a new life. I participated in a vintage pop up show and met some great people. I branched out and was then a vendor in 2 local antique malls. During this time, The West Bottoms in Kansas City took off. I decided to leave the antique malls and open a space in the West Bottoms. With the help of my husband, Dennis, and my son, Adam, we had a space in 2 different locations in the West Bottoms over 7 years. We met so many other wonderful vendors, I painted hundreds of pieces of furniture, and I love the thrill of the hunt for unique items to bring to my space for my customers. In the past couple of years, we have left the West Bottoms and I am now in a local antique mall again. I have also started selling items on Instagram and shipping all across the United States. I continue to participate as a vendor in the Vintage Market Days Kansas City’s spring and fall shows where I get to meet some of my customers face to face. I love it when someone buys something from me because it reminds them of something from their childhood, or their mom or grandmother had one, or it’s just a cool item that will bring character to their home.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
In retail, I feel like we have to constantly pivot. I am pivoting right now! I only recently started selling online using Instagram as the platform. I resisted for quite awhile because I didn’t want to figure out all of the ins and outs of shipping. I found a local friend online, Whitney from Thrifty Whitney, and she was gracious enough to teach me about shipping. I learned about teaming up with other resellers online who do weekly themed events. It’s like a virtual vintage show! I had to figure out apps that help me edit my photos, how to schedule posts, programs that help me with shipping, etc. But it’s been a great addition to my business.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
I would say being a vendor in a local brick and mortar store, participating in local pop up vintage shows, and online have all brought me new clients. I always have flyers in my space at the store about my upcoming shows. Participating in the shows gives me an opportunity to tell customers about my space at the antique mall. And selling online has brought me customers from all over the United States.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thetealbutterfly.com
- Instagram: @thetealbutterfly
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTealButterfly
