Meet Tricia Samsal of Vintage Bliss

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tricia Samsal.

Tricia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story starts in 1998 when my mother and I started a business that focused, primarily, on scrapbooking accessories and vintage collectibles. Throughout the following years, the scrapbook craze began to die down, and, in 2005, I became a sole proprietor and began selling vintage finds and art supplies. As a sole proprietor, I was able to expand my business into clothing and correlative accessories and started mini workshops as a new revenue stream and way to engage with clients. During this time, I was running the business out of spaces I’d rent in industrial office/warehouse spaces. Vintage Bliss shot into overdrive in 2008 when I started traveling across the country and setting up large booths at shows like Vintage Marketplace in California, Zapp Hall in Texas, and Country Living in New York. Traveling became an essential part of my business, because it creates clientele, allows me to inform and involve my customers, and it builds networking opportunities.

These networking opportunities have provided me with new outlets to grow Vintage Bliss and make some lifelong friends. Moreover, these contacts led me to wholesale where my products are, now, carried in numerous stores nationwide. My son and I created a website two years ago and that has been an integral part of staying alive in this business. Today, it’s a digital world, and I have to find and come up with new ways to connect with my customers, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Without events and shows like those listed above and Junk in the Trunk and Junk Stock, my business has a great chance of failing. However, I am optimistic because my clients and customers appreciate the loyalty and consistency I’ve provided them with from the beginning, and it’s showing; they are the only ones keeping me afloat today.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not always been a “smooth road.” Some of my struggles have been financial, meaning paying for future booth spaces, travel costs, etc., staying relevant and keeping up with current trends, and finally, adapting to the technological changes that occur on a daily basis.

Vintage Bliss – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Vintage Bliss, today, specializes in unique clothing and accessories, vintage collectibles, and teaching classes/workshops that are directly related to my company’s products. Furthermore, having the ability to travel and directly engage with customers and clients is what sets Vintage Bliss apart from other similar businesses. My customers and clients appreciate my social personality and patience. This, also, is what I am most proud of-customer loyalty-along with creating something from nothing and having it operate and sustain me financially for over fifteen years.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as finding and creating products that customers enjoy and keep coming back for. Moreover, when my customers come back and follow me to see what I’m going to do and create next is one of the biggest aspects of my success and how I determine the markers for Vintage Bliss.

Pricing:

• Average Price for Vintage Bliss T-shirts: $29
• Average Price for Vintage Bliss Jewelry: $14 to $49
• Average Price for Vintage Bliss Stickers: $3

Contact Info:

• Address: 127 W. Juanita #116
  Mesa, AZ 85210
• Website: www.vintageblissaz.com
• Phone: 480-593-7080
• Email: vintageblissaz@yahoo.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/triciavintagesamsalbliss
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/vintagebliss-triciasamsal

Image Credit:
Tricia Samsal/Vintage Bliss, Erin Southards Photography

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