Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vickie Baird. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Vickie, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I didn’t start my business with a formal plan. It really began with an appreciation for vintage pieces and a feeling that so many of them were being overlooked.

I would come across beautiful glassware, candy dishes, and small collectibles that had clearly been part of someone’s home at one time, but were now sitting on shelves without much purpose. I was drawn to their detail and craftsmanship, but more than that, I was drawn to the idea that they still had something left to offer.

Turning them into candles started in a very simple way. I wanted to enjoy these pieces in my own home, and I found that adding a candle brought them to life in a completely different way. The glow highlighted their character and made them feel relevant again, not just decorative, but functional. At first, it was just for me, but I started to realize that other people were drawn to the same thing. There was something about the combination of nostalgia and usefulness that resonated. It wasn’t just a candle, and it wasn’t just a vintage piece. It was both, and that made it feel unique.

As I continued, I began to understand the logic behind why it worked. People are always looking for things that feel personal, that tell a story, and that stand apart from mass-produced products. Each vintage vessel is one of a kind, and pairing it with a scent creates an experience that feels intentional and different.

Over time, the idea took on a deeper meaning for me. The process of taking something that had been set aside and giving it a new purpose started to feel very personal. What began as a creative outlet grew into a business, but also into something that reflects how I see things now.

There’s something powerful about realizing that something doesn’t lose its value just because it has a past or has been overlooked. In many ways, it can become even more beautiful the second time around, and that idea continues to inspire both my work and the direction I’m taking.

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.

I’m the founder of RetroWix, where I create hand-poured soy candles using genuine vintage vessels and thoughtfully designed vintage-inspired pieces. What I offer is a blend of function and story. Each candle is meant to be more than just a scent. It’s a piece of home décor with character, history, and a sense of individuality.

I didn’t come from a traditional background in this industry. My path into it grew naturally from a love of vintage glassware and collectibles. I’ve always been drawn to pieces that feel timeless, pieces that have already lived a life before finding their way into mine. Over time, that appreciation turned into something more creative, and eventually into a business.

What sets my work apart is the intention behind each piece. Working with vintage vessels means no two are exactly the same, and that uniqueness is something I value. I carefully source each item, test it for safety, and pair it with a scent that complements its style and presence. There’s a balance between creativity and responsibility that goes into every candle, especially when working with materials that were not originally designed for this purpose.

I think one of the things my work solves for people is the desire for something that feels personal and different. So much of what we bring into our homes is mass-produced. My goal is to offer something that feels curated, something that stands out and has a story behind it.

What I’m most proud of is building something that reflects both creativity and resilience. This business has grown over time, and in many ways, it has grown alongside me. What started as a simple idea has become something much more intentional, both in how I create and in the direction I’m taking it.

At the end of the day, I want people to feel like they’re bringing home something special. Not just a candle, but a piece that adds warmth, character, and a sense of history to their space.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

There was a recent, unexpected personal situation that required me to step back, and in doing so, I found myself reevaluating everything, including my business and the direction I was heading. It wasn’t something I had planned for, and it required me to shift my focus in ways I hadn’t expected.

During that time, it would have been easy to let everything go or to put it aside indefinitely. When life feels uncertain, creative work can sometimes feel less important or harder to prioritize. But at the same time, I found that creating was one of the few things that gave me a sense of focus and stability.

Coming back to the business after that period required a different mindset. I had to be more intentional with my time, more selective with what I created, and more confident in the direction I wanted to go. It wasn’t about doing more, it was about doing the right things and rebuilding in a way that felt sustainable.
That experience changed how I approach both my work and my life. It reinforced the idea that growth doesn’t always look like constant forward momentum. Sometimes it looks like stepping back, regrouping, and then moving forward with more clarity.

In many ways, that resilience is reflected in the business itself. The process of taking something that has been set aside and giving it new life has become more than just a design choice for me. It mirrors a shift in my own life, where I’ve had to rebuild, refocus, and move forward in a new way.

That perspective has changed how I see both my work and what I’m creating. It’s not just about the finished piece, it’s about the idea that something can be reimagined and still hold beauty, purpose, and value.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the idea that everything has to be perfectly figured out before you move forward.

For a long time, I thought I needed clarity, confidence, and a fully formed plan before I could take something seriously, especially when it came to building a business. That mindset can keep you stuck longer than you realize.

When I first started working with vintage pieces, I found myself hesitating more than I expected. I would overthink decisions, question whether something was good enough to offer, and wait until everything felt “just right” before moving forward. In reality, that often slowed me down more than it helped. What I’ve learned is that clarity doesn’t come before action, it comes from it. Every step forward, even the uncertain ones, helps shape the direction.

I’ve also had to let go of the idea that growth has to follow a traditional path. My business has evolved in a way that reflects my life, not a formula. There have been moments where I’ve had to slow down, rethink things, and then move forward differently than I originally expected.

Unlearning that need for perfection and control has made a significant difference. It’s allowed me to trust my instincts more, to create more freely, and to build something that feels authentic rather than forced.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://retrowix.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrowix
• Other: https://retrowix.etsy.com

Image Credits

Brandi Inman – Barefeet Imagery