Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Collen-Tarrolly.
Jacqueline, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Despite being mistaken occasionally for a fungus growing operation, Toadstool Farm is actually the intellectual brainchild of creative entrepreneur and professional misfit, Jacqueline Collen-Tarrolly. That’s me! Named for a beloved former home, a cottage in Studio City, CA, it encompasses all of my creative projects. I’m a Vintage lover, a fantasy artist, a horse trainer, a ballet dancer, an author, a model, a wildlife rehabilitator, and an Adventurer. Early in 2011, I decided to change a lifestyle that involved being on the road 45 weekends out of every year, and put down some more local roots by following a long-time dream of opening a brick and mortar shop. That August, Toadstool Farm Vintage opened its doors. Offering vintage and vintage inspired clothing and goods for your home and self, it was filled with light and sparkle and love. Three years later the building the shop was in was sold and I moved all those glorious, beautiful goodies from a simpler (and prettier) time into a studio. Toadstool Farm Vintage is now primarily online with our own website and in our Etsy shops. In addition, we are open by appointment seven days a week, and a few times a year we throw a Vintage Tea Party in the Garden for our customers, essentially recreating the brick and mortar shop in the tree shaded, flower filled garden behind our studio. Every single item that goes home with one of our customers has been sourced and handpicked by me, cleaned and repaired if necessary, and otherwise prepped by me personally. I’m assisted every day by my bevy of critters, both wild and domestic, my wonderful kids and my tall, dark and handsome husband of twenty years. Thank you for interest in Toadstool Farm. I wish you love and light while you explore this Magical World of a Misfit!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, I had to come up with the finances to change my career from an on the road traveling artist to a single location shop space, so that was a challenge. I actually crowdfunded for that and I was so grateful at the outpouring of assistance. Moving out of our first building and having to redefine my business from brick and mortar to more online was absolutely challenging as well.
Toadstool Farm Vintage – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a vintage lifestyle store, meaning I sell more than just clothing or just homewares. I sell a combination of everything really, though clothing and accessories seem to be my main products now that I’m online, as they are the easiest to ship, etc… I specialize in pre-1970s. My general rule of thumb is it needs to be older than I am, and I was born in 1968. I have a background in the film and TV industry, so I have a special understanding of what those industries need and when. I’ve worked with A-List celebrities looking for that perfect outfit (whose names we won’t list as we respect their privacy), and costumers looking for wardrobe or Set pieces.
I’ve won Best Vintage Store in Burbank for the last three years in a row. I’m pretty proud of that. One of the things I think sets me apart from other shops is my attention to detail. Every little thing is really important. Every item that ships from my studio is wrapped beautifully in grey tissue and tied with vintage lace or ribbon and I include hand written thank you cards, and little gifts as well. I make sure I give my customers more than they ask for and take great care to describe my items online in incredible detail.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Every time I get an email or review from a customer gushing about how lovely everything was and how wonderful my customer service was. Every time that happens I feel like I’ve done my job well and achieved what I’ve set out to do.
I don’t know if this qualifies for proudest moment or not but something I feel really good about in general is how I help people repurpose beloved things. What I mean is that one of my favorite ways to source the vintage items I sell is from private individuals. Often, they are clearing out an older or deceased loved one’s belongings and they know they can’t keep literally everything but they also know that much of it is too nice to just throw away or donate. A lot of it has sentimental value to them as well. They want it to be treated well. I can take these treasures, love them while they are here and then find them great loving new homes where they will be enjoyed for years to come. And I can give them a little money while I’m at it. It makes me feel really good to be helping them, helping the future buyers, and helping the environment by repurposing and rehoming already made products.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.toadstoolfarmvintage.com
- Phone: 818 729 0584
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: toadstoolfarmvintage
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/tooadstoolfarmvintage
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/ToadstoolFarmVintage
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