We were lucky to catch up with Teddi Jackson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Teddi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Even before putting my business mission into words, the values of living sustainably and fostering my local community were deeply rooted in my heart. I am passionate in my love for the community and the land in which I have established my roots, and for many years I have taken proactive steps to reduce my personal carbon footprint while supporting local small businesses.

When I became a business owner, seamlessly transitioning my personal habits into a mission and vision for my company took no effort. I proudly say my mission is to inspire eco-conscious shoppers by sustainably sourcing and strengthening my local community. I am committed to achieving this by living and sharing my life authentically.

I make a conscious effort to source my secondhand products at shops that contribute to local charities, ensuring that my dollars stay within my community. I share the best hot spots with my business followers, encouraging others to support the community as well. I also donate excess products where possible and where the need arises, aiming to give back in the same way others have given to me. Ultimately, I sincerely believe that one positive action can trigger a chain reaction of positivity that rewards everyone along the way.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Teddi Jackson, and I am the sole owner and operator of The Hope and Vintage Shop. I invested the majority of my twenties into corporate finance, where my focus was majorly focused on analyzing customer relationship and employee performance data. After over five years devoted to this career path, I reached a pivotal moment where I realized that although I had found “success” in my corporate career, my joy in working every day had completely left me.

I took the ultimate leap of faith in deciding to transition from the corporate world to full-time entrepreneurship at the end of 2021. While I had previous experience running a small crafting business on the side, this move represented a significant departure from the conventional path I had initially embarked upon.

In the corporate realm, I learned the importance of truly valuing customer relationships and leveraging data to make informed decisions. These skills have been invaluable in my current venture, where my business provides a unique take on the traditional secondhand experience. Gone are the stuffy, smelly thrift stores of the past. The Hope and Vintage Shop offers trendy, modern styles in vintage pieces that are professionally cleaned and styled to inspire a world of a different kind of shopper who cares about sustainability.

My journey has not followed the traditional trajectory of graduating college and sticking to a single career path. Instead, I have found success in the alternative avenue of owning my own business. I view my so-called “failures” in the traditional sense as valuable learning experiences that have contributed to my overall growth and resilience.

What sets me apart is not only my unique blend of skills acquired in the corporate world but also my unwavering commitment to pursuing happiness and fulfillment through my business. I take pride in practicing what I preach and I want potential customers, followers, and fans to know that I bring a distinct perspective to my work.

In essence, I have found my calling by forging a path that aligns with my values and goals, and I am so very excited to share this journey with those who believe in the power of authenticity and chasing your dreams.

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

Even before I left my corporate career to focus on my secondhand shop full-time, I had experience selling on online platforms like Etsy and eBay from a wide variety of pursuits over the years. One thing I observed time and time again during my early experience with online sales was that these platforms presented challenges in transforming one-time customers into repeat clients and fostering the kind of significant brand loyalty I envisioned for my grandest pursuit yet.

What changed everything for me was getting the opportunity to venture into in-person sales at local vintage markets in downtown Phoenix a few months after starting my business online. This experience allowed me to leverage my 15 years of sales expertise while introducing a deeply personal touch to my interactions with anyone who wandered into my booth. I have a personable approach that proved instrumental in establishing a strong rapport with my customers, a crucial element in finding success in the world of vintage and sustainable fashion.

What sets my shop apart at local markets is the ability to offer a boutique experience, fostering a unique and memorable encounter for customers. This personalized touch is something that online sales often lack. I can provide excellent customer service now that I have experienced more face-to-face interactions than I can count. I have built a reputation for excellence that has proven to be my biggest influence in converting one-time buyers into loyal, repeat clients and even friends.

Attending markets in person has opened up even more opportunities beyond just selling products. I can offer additional personal shopping services and styling advice, and share the unique story behind each piece, which drives engagement with my brand overall. When I use this multi-dimensional approach, I find it has proven effective in not only attracting new customers but also in creating an authentic sense of community around my business with clients who are excited and highly engaged with my brand.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

One fundamental tactic I employed while starting to build my audience on social media was getting out and meeting people in person. Selling at markets has allowed me to build a connection that encourages engagement before my clients even join my online audience. I also realized early on the importance of local advertising, so I invested in targeted paid advertising to promote posts with upcoming market information specifically to local Phoenix women. This helped me focus my audience on my local market, ensuring that my content resonated with individuals who were not only interested in my products but also likely to come see me in person.

For those just starting to build a social media presence, here are some pieces of advice based on my own experience:

1. It is easiest to start with what you know. I recommend starting with a platform you are already familiar with. In my case, having a personal Instagram account for years gave me a basic understanding of the app and website functionalities before launching my business account.

2. While Google can provide a foundation, my best results came from simple trial and error. The more I posted, the more I learned what types of content resonated with both me and my audience.

3. Getting comfortable accessing and understanding how to interpret your content insights is crucial. I have access to my best-performing posts and videos which enables me to tailor content that my audience finds the most valuable.

Building a social media presence is a rollercoaster of a journey that requires a mix of personal engagement, targeted advertising, and consistent posting.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hopeandvintage.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeandvintage/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeandvintage/

Image Credits
Kelsey Noelle Photography