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Meet Amanda Chernauskas of Vintage Chic Rentals in Tempe

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Chernauskas.

Amanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Owning an event rental business is not something I ever dreamed I would be doing. I was a stay at home Mom for over 10 years with a background in the medical field. Wanting to get back into the workforce I was looking for something that was flexible and fed my soul… so what better way to do that than starting my own business specializing in what I love the most and am good at.

I have always loved entertaining and one year my annual wine party had me looking to rent wine barrels and that’s when the light bulb went off. Instead of renting the big decor I wanted to use why don’t I buy it myself and start my own rental business. I pitched it to the hubby who was super supportive and within two weeks I had a six-page business plan in hand and a chunk of our savings to buy some inventory.

I started super small and purchased 6 wine barrels, 2 vintage couches, a chair and some accessories. Within a year I outgrew my garage and guest bedroom and moved into a small 10 x 15 storage unit. The business was growing each month with new clients and extra money to buy more inventory. After six months I had outgrown that unit and moved into a 15 x 30 unit and later adding in a second and third unit.

By the time the business was 2 years old I was ready to make the move to an office and warehouse. We currently have an 1800 square foot warehouse in Tempe and we are bursting at the seams. I did the slow and steady growth thing and couldn’t be happier with my success. My mind is always going with ideas and different directions to take the business. I am currently working on two projects to expand so here’s to hoping I can make some announcements later this year.

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?
No, it by no means has been a smooth road. I’m constantly learning and trying new things along with ways to make improvements. Being that I am pretty much a one-woman show, I feel like I am constantly working. When I first started, deliveries were a challenge as I did not own a trailer and I relied on my husband and my amazing supportive girlfriends (you know who you are!) to go with me.

As I grew I invested in a large enclosed trailer and I now have an awesome delivery crew who I couldn’t run this business without. Images were a challenge in the beginning too. If clients don’t know what you have then you can’t rent it to them, so we do spend time staging photos and chasing down photographers to obtain those images to share.

I wouldn’t say it is currently a smooth road because that would mean I’m complacent with where I am, and that’s not the case. I want to continue to grow and expand and that seems to happen the most when I challenge myself and am out of my comfort zone.

Please tell us about Vintage Chic Rentals.
Vintage Chic Rentals is a unique furniture and decor rental company. Offering lounge setups, sweetheart tables, dessert and candy buffet setups, tea parties, cigar bars and the list goes on. If you are having a wedding, birthday party, baby shower, or just a celebration we can bring those Pinterest boards to life with our rental inventory and styling services.

I specialize in vintage pieces but am not limited to that, I carry some modern, classic, rustic and mid-century pieces too. A lot of my pieces are custom so they are truly one of a kind. I enjoy taking a vintage piece and putting a modern spin on it, it’s amazing how paint and new upholstery can transform an ugly unwanted couch into a beautiful piece of furniture. I love anything that has a history and I know if some of my pieces could talk they would have some amazing stories to tell.

Being that I’m the sole owner – all clients work directly with me throughout the entire process. When they come in to meet with me I make sure I get to know them, their style and their vision so together we pick out the perfect pieces. I run all my social media as well, so everything you see and read is authentically me!

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
There are so many to choose from, but I have to go with staying up late at night with my sister watching movies and eating popcorn with melted cheez whiz.

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Image Credit:
Rosemary Watson, Still Life Studios, Lockie Photography, Julius Photography

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