We recently connected with Lindsay Dilworth and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsay, thanks for joining us today. How did you find your key vendor or vendors? Maybe you can share the backstory and share some context and the relevant details to help us understand why you chose them, why they chose you, etc.

People often ask me how I find my vendors and I definitely have an organic approach. Since I opened the shop in 2017, makers, creators, artisans, and vendors have found their way into my world through friends, as customers, and even connected through social media. Here in Venice, some have even walked through my door and we’ve experienced an immediate connection. I have never once been to a trade show or market. This experience confirms that I’m right where I need to be!

Lindsay, 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?

Since launching this store with the goal of curating an in-house furniture line, it has expanded more into a space where an artist can experience having their work out in the world. I love to offer the opportunity for those without a brick and mortar space to be able to get their work into the hands of the community, while also making money! I still love to curate a wide variety of goods used for all aspects of life, but this moment is really about getting to know what my neighbors are shopping for, and supporting the local makers however I can. Know that by supporting me, you’re allowing a maker to buy more clay or paint and continue to explore their vision. The things we need are changing, but there will always be space for art!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’ve had to unlearn that business ownership evolves in a straight line. The trajectory of what I do will always depend upon the pulse of the world around me, including other businesses, neighbors, and most importantly the artists in my community and what they’re making. That’s what it’s about for ALTWOOD, so I’m just along for the ride.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

Getting started in a new place always involves a lot of close calls. Quite honestly, since opening in Venice in September, a lot of experiences have been down to the wire. It was a very rainy and dreary winter in Southern California, and probably a difficult one to introduce a new business. But I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received and the solutions that I’ve found each month to be able to keep the lights on!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.altwoodco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopaltwood/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALTWOOD/