We recently connected with Susan Snider and have shared our conversation below.
Susan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?
My hero is my great grandma, Mimi. She was a woman of strength and love and kindness. She taught me growing up how to treat others with love and how to show those the love of Christ. Mimi grew up with much trial and tribulation but she taught me how to take hard moments in life and grow from them. She has greatly influenced my business journey even though she is no longer with us today. Every time I go picking I am always looking for the number 27. She was born in 1927, so every time I see that number it is a constant reminder of an amazing woman and the legacy she left for me and my family.
Susan, 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 Susan and I am the owner of Rustic Grace. People are always extremely surprised to find out that I’m only 19 years old and running a successful business in antiques. Not only because of my age but also because many people my age or even the generation ahead of me are so quick to dismiss the history and love of antiques. Growing up I was always drawn to the old and the rusty! A rusty fan cover…I had to have it, I never knew what I was going to do with it but I would hold onto it for years! So I took this passion I had and started sharing it with the world! Quickly I learned that not many people like the rust and dust that comes with many antiques, or the fact that they might just sit useless on a shelf for years, so I changed that! I started repurposing antiques. This doesn’t mean that I am restoring these old pieces to what they might have looked like to someones great great grandparents, but instead I am making these pieces that hold a ton of character and shifting them to fit a modern home. Each one of the pieces still holds all of its character that it has gain with age and time, now with its new purpose it can still do those things. For example, I was picking and saw these amazing pieces of wood, I had no idea what they were but I needed them! When I got them home I realized they were wooden arm rest to antique theater seats. Numbered and all! I found hooks from our 1920’s farm house and put the two together. Now at a wedding venue there are theater seat hooks lining the walls for many couples to hang wedding dresses/suits on where they can continue their journey!
Not all pieces are easy, many take several hours, but it is what makes me happy! I started this business because I was doing something I love. I have always struggled with anxiety, but by starting my own business I found a work environment that I feel comfortable in and can relax. I can create, and have a great time, and meet new people/creators in a comfortable environment! And I couldn’t ask for a better job!
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Currently the best way to get new clients for Rustic Grace has been to venture out to new shows and events. With large furniture and antiques I haven’t figured out all of the in and outs of shipping and moving pieces online, so selling in person has been the best avenue for Rustic Grace. When the gates open up for an event hundreds of new faces rush in to shop new vendors, so I get to meet so many new people. It is the most exhilarating moments while owning this business. This year we took on The Found Cottage Mercantile, it was a new show for us which meant so many new faces and clients that we got to meet.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Life has been a big pivot left and right lately! I am getting married at the end of October, woohoo! When you sign up for shows/events contracts are sent out about January, so I committed to a ton of shows this year. This was extremely exciting for my business to be at so many shows to build and grow. Then my fiancé and I got engaged and put a wedding together in six months, so the shows had to go sadly. Putting on a wedding is the biggest show of all so it was extremely difficult to also put all of my energy into events as well. Four of my six planned didn’t happen this year, what a business pivot! But the best pivot of all! I’ve had the chance to take the time to focus on our future life, our house, and plan a wedding. Personal life is pivoting as well as business but I couldn’t be more excited for the change!
Contact Info:
- Website: rusticgrace27.com
- Instagram: @_rusticgrace_