Meet Corre Larkin of Corre Marie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Corre Larkin.

Corre, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Like so many stories, Corre Marie is an evolution. It started as and still is a side hustle. I work in the defense industry and supply armored ballistic glass to the military. Three years ago, I was in desperate need for a creative outlet. Out of that need, Corre Marie was born. I started with vintage rugs and would scour the flea markets and eBay for them. But ultimately, the rugs transitioned into vintage and antique home goods and that is where I remain today. Now I travel all over Orange County and beyond to estate sales and auctions, hunting down one of a kind treasures that I sell on my Instagram account and Chairish.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every venture has its struggles but all in all, I can’t complain. I think because this isn’t my primary job or source of income, I can still view it as my hobby. Corre Marie is always a choice rather than something I have to do and because of that, I always make sure it stays fun. The world of antiques and vintage dealing is a very interesting one and there is a lot of people who have been doing it for a very long time. Some people are super friendly and love that a young-ish person is so interested and enthralled with antiques and are passionate about teaching me things. But occasionally, I feel the other side, where the message is that I shouldn’t have a seat at this table. It never bothers me. I intuitively have an excellent eye and I often buy items that I have no knowledge about but end up being incredibly special and valuable.

We’ve been impressed with Corre Marie, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Corre Marie sells antique and vintage home décor items and furniture. I have a really easy way that I have created my brand and style. I only buy items that I personally love and would have and keep in my home. I don’t buy for any0ne else. I don’t buy trends unless I happen to love that trend and would be buying it anyway. Also, I don’t buy with anyone in mind thinking that if I buy this so and so will probably buy it from me. By curating my shop this way, it inevitably gives a certain style and aesthetic that is original and unique to Corre Marie. I am incredibly proud of my little shop and whenever I go to an estate sale, I usually sell out of everything within 24 hours. My art is always the first to sell and people know that I always find really cool and unusual items that you can’t find anywhere else. I am also proud of the friends I have made in this business and the relationships that I have with estate sale companies, interior designers, antique shops and other vintage dealers.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Whenever you start a business, big or small you are taking a risk. The questions always linger, ‘what if it doesn’t work out?’, ‘what if I fail?’, “what if no one buys anything from me?’. Luckily, Corre Marie is the 4th business that I have started over the years and I have had plenty of failures and plenty of success. Right now, Corre Marie is starting to procure more high-end antiques and with that comes risk as they are much more expensive than some of the vintage items I have dealt with in the past. Also, I am not known for high-end antiques, so the question always remains, will people buy these from me? If you don’t take any risks, you are just not living to your fullest. No one got anywhere by playing it safe.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.chairish.com/shop/corremarie
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corre.marie

Image Credits:
The photo of me in the chair and the pool picture is by Jessica Bodas Photography The photos of the home interiors are by Ryan Garvin Photography The photo of the tablescape is by Hugo Landa Photography