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

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

I love this question. Recently I went through an old box of photos my mom gave me and after looking at several stacks of photographs, I was reminded over and over just how wholesome my childhood truly was. My mom stayed at home with my older brother and I, and my dad worked for the same company his whole life. He was a diesel mechanic among a plethora of other things. A true-blue. My mom cleaned houses on the side so that she could help contribute financially. I can remember going with her in the summer mornings to clean her rotation of clients. She worked hard. She kept our home neat as pin. She was immaculate. Neither one of my parents knew anything but hard work. More importantly they knew the value of it. They always paid in cash for anything they bought and they never spent money they didn’t have. There wasn’t a whole lot of “chase your dreams” talk in our house growing up, not because they didn’t believe in our abilities, it was just more of a practical perspective and realistic encouragement approach when it came to life and career decisions. Like “What tools are already in your tool belt and how best can you utilize them to reach your goal?”Basically, stay in your lane, perfect what you are already naturally good at, work hard, be honest, and do your best any task you put your hands on. Fast forward many years and many hardships, now a single mother of two, I have the opportunity to teach my girls those simple yet invaluable principles coupled with my own spin on what I know now that I needed to hear as a child. There is no ceiling baby! There are no rules besides the ones you create and limit yourself with. Want something? Go get it! Forage a way and create a value that only you can bring to the table and then monetize that shit! Want to try something you haven’t ever done before? Do it! If you fail, you learned something, but you won’t ever lose anything by trying. There is an infinite supply of joy and abundance. No one can take yours from you unless you give them the power to. My folks also emphasized heavily when we were younger that eventually you become who you surround yourself with. A tried and true lesson that has withstood the test of time. My girls know to seek counsel from friends they admire and spend their time and energy on those who are noble and of good character. Another honorable mention lesson I learned from my mother at a young age is that when it comes to dressing yourself “a size too big always looks better than a size too small” and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t utilize that one more often than not!

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

I have been buying and selling vintage clothing for about 12 years now. I love the idea of sustainability and breathing new life into a piece of clothing that already holds a whole story of its own. Fast fashion has taken over and the unnecessary waste created by cheap clothing that was designed to be disposable has really diluted what style is all about. It’s supposed to be about individuality not mass production. That doesn’t mean being stylish has to be expensive. I feel this is what differentiates me in this game. My goal with clients is to curate a brand for them that fits their lifestyle and budget while elevating and showcasing their individuality. PennyLane Vintage has evolved over the years from retail and popups to more of a personalized experience. My clients know that when they trust me with the opportunity and freedom to curate a collection for them that they will always receive high quality service that is aligned with their vision and budget.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think my reputation within the vintage community has been established by just that….my reputation. I have always been an open book in all facets of life which seems to create this sort of trust and safe space between myself and anyone I am doing business with. I am honest, fair, relatable, and I treat all of my clients like the unique individuals that they are. The quality of the clothing I sell, the condition it is in, and the price at which I sell it all speaks for itself. I also have been blessed with a network and community of so many talented artists and creatives. They are effortlessly “cool” in their own way and that makes my job easy when styling them!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth is hands down by far the best source for gaining new clients in my industry. If you deliver solid results someone somewhere is going to ask about it. This is where my clients get the opportunity to pay it forward and gas me up for future business. I have also been known to circle back to the source and make sure I hook them up right for their efforts in praising my name. This is what community looks like and why it is essential in building your brand.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @pennylanevintage__

Image Credits

Ft worth Mag/Abraham Alexander photo: Crystal Wise @crystalwisephoto

Elaina Kay photo : Cal Quinn & Aly Fae @calandaly

Photo of myself and friend with rolls Royce cowboy hats: Jenny Lawson @jennybirddd

Photo of my daughters: I own

Photo of myself: I own

Photo of Abraham Alexander, Leon Bridges & Charley Crockett : I have permission. Not taken by a photographer.

I have permission for all photographs to be used.