Rising Stars: Meet Ann Bishop

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Bishop.

Hi Ann, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Belgium, a small country full of charm and history in Western Europe. When I was a kid, my parents would take me antiquing in large warehouses full of old furniture, some of which would end up in our home. It was a cozy old house, which I have fond memories of. When I was in my late teens, I used to love walking around flea markets and rummage through vintage items. I also participated in a few indoor flea markets as a vendor. Those places are truly filled with stories. That was many years ago, but I never forgot those moments of exploration and the thrill of finding something nice at a fair price. The pandemic made me think more about my family and friends and my life when I was still living in Belgium. It got me thinking again about those vintage items, the smell of old books and the stories that all those items carry with them. Many people made sourdough bread or even babies, but I started thinking of starting a small business and this is how The Colors of Vintage came to be. A bit haphazardly, I must admit! But with a passion in my heart that I hope will inspire some people to perhaps buy a nice pre-owned item and potentially save it from going into a dumpster! I am learning as I am going and growing!

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?
Gosh! Starting a completely new business adventure is never dull. I have had to learn a lot. From learning more about porcelain manufacturers, vintage glass patterns, and Pyrex, to how to be seen on what seems to be an oversaturated online platform like Etsy. Throw in trying to set up new social media accounts, buy cute thank you notes, print business cards….the list is really endless. I am also still juggling a full-time job, but I am lucky to have great support from my boyfriend here at home. My very first sale, I had to refund as the customer had made an error by not reading the item description. Talking about feeling deflated! But in the end, creating a new business comes with ups and downs and Rome was not built in one day. I keep on trucking along steadily while trying to avoid the potholes in the road.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While I still work a full-time job in oncology clinical trial operations, my new business The Colors of Vintage is letting me flip a switch, dig into memories, stories and into history of the vintage items that I have for sale. I have come to be slightly obsessed with vintage colored glass, beautiful wine glasses and high-end porcelain homeware. Nowadays, you can find many vintage stores that are specialized in clothing and this is not something I feel like I know much about or feel passionate about. On the other hand, I could buy new wine glasses or dishes every week! I am still finding my way around a bit, but it looks like my niche will be home goods of high quality, with a focus on nice glassware, beautiful plates and decor. With my European background, I sometimes spot branded items that may not be so familiar to people in the US. So I keep on exploring the state of Arizona and hopefully next year Belgium for vintage treasures. I am hoping that my slight obsession with vintage items will shine through to any customer.

What are your plans for the future?
Everyone should dream right? Mine is definitely to be able to open my own small vintage shop in Scottsdale one day. I would love to have a cozy place where customers feel relaxed and enjoy the goodies that are displayed for them. This is not a short-term plan, but rather the famous 5-year-plan! Until then, I am hoping to grow my online Etsy customer base and open up an antique booth in a local antique mall. Participating in local Arizona vendor events is also something I would like to participate in. It is fun to talk to people about where items came from, what era they may be from and how they can add some vintage color to their own homes. Let’s see what the next few months bring, and we will take it from there!

Contact Info:

• Email: thecolorsofvintagearizona@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheColorsofVintageAZ?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecolorsofvintage/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecolorsofvintage