Meet Kelly Wilzbach of Heirloom Vintage

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Wilzbach

Hi Kelly, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I often joke that my business developed as the result of a hoarding problem as I had cultivated an extensive collection of Vintage goods over the years. My husband encouraged me to photograph and list the items that hadn’t worked in our home in an effort to clear space and recuperate our initial investment. I was instantly hooked. I continued to source and sell furniture and decor in the nooks and crannies of multiple jobs – I worked as nanny, professional organizer and maintained a food blog at this time. I spent every waking moment on Facebook Marketplace and estate sales and flea markets soon monopolized our weekends. Two years in, I began participating in large scale Vintage markets throughout Southern California. Shortly thereafter, I opened up our home garage to shop by appointment. This, along with posting to social media, helped me to reach a new customer base and build a dedicated following. Less than a year later, I was able to expand my online business into a brick-and-mortar in Old Town Newhall. Nine months after that, I leased a second shop space that is slotted to open in the Spring and will serve as a furniture showroom + studio. It’s been quite the whirlwind!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Expanding my online business into a brick-and-mortar proved to be the most challenging as it required a large financial investment upfront. From the lease and renovation of the physical space, which took months as we did most everything ourselves and the work was relegated to evenings once my husband and I were both off work, to the tens of thousands of dollars required for physical inventory. Every decision we’ve made has been colored by a financial lens. It required an incredible amount of sacrifice then, and still does.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
As an Antique Dealer and shop owner, I specialize in the purchase, authentication and sale of rare Antiques and pride myself on being a trusted resource for heirloom quality furniture pieces.

The shop is unique in that it’s highly curated. A treasure trove of unique, one-of-kind, Vintage finds – all of which have been hand-selected by me. I’ve woven in newer artisan made goods, that will stand the test of time and become future heirlooms themselves, to demonstrate that incorporating Antique pieces and Vintage decor into modern interiors can feel anything but dated. I want my customers to leave inspired and equipped to integrate their newfound treasures into their homes. While my background isn’t in design, this has evolved into my offering personalized styling services to help customers create beautifully styled interiors with Vintage flair. My mother had a successful interior decorating business locally for years, so this been incredibly rewarding for me to lean into.

As far as my brand is concerned, I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve cultivated. I have a fiercely loyal and supportive customer base. That in turn has fostered referrals through word of mouth that has ensured that my small business has not only survived, but thrived.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Invest in yourself, but also invest in your partner/family and close friends. They will serve as your biggest support system when you are faced with the challenges that inevitably come with running a small business. Self-doubt and imposter syndrome were prevalent in the early stages of my journey. Surrounding myself with positivity was key as I relied heavily on others who believed in and encouraged me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heirloomvintageshoppe/?hl=en
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/heirloom-vintage-santa-clarita

Image Credits
Amanda Palomino, Cortni Edwards