In today’s episode, Toma visits with Tracey Young of The Elemental Garden. At The Elemental Garden, they think of themselves as “stewards of time,” always in search of unique and beautiful elements to transform your surroundings. Designers, architects, and collectors look to them as a go-to source for rare and authentic garden antiques, bold furnishings, and unusual decorative accessories all with a strong architectural aesthetic. Tracy is, without a doubt, one of the leading antique dealers in America, and one of only a handful whose entire focus is on garden antiques. Her extensive knowledge, unique dedication to give her clients the best service, and her down-to-earth honesty and accessibility make her a gem to work with.

Tracey has been an antiques dealer for over 20 years, but she came into the industry later in life. It was a third career following her work in nursing, and then in cardiac electrophysiology, which essentially addresses the electrical system of your heart. Every heart needs an electric impulse to make it beat. At 45, after years in health care, Tracey listened to her own heart and sought out the impulse she was needing to reboot her life. In 1999, Tracey took $75,000 and went to sourcing antiques in order to open her first shop in Sheffield, Massachusetts. She shares openly that mistakes were made, and both Toma and Tracey speak about the importance of making mistakes, owning them, forgiving yourself, and moving forward anyway. “Nothing wakes you up like buying wrong inventory and not knowing what you’re doing. Of course, no ones going to know how to buy at first, it is knowledge that you accumulate over the course of years,” explains Tracey.

The two agree: It doesn’t matter where you are in life, you can always start something new. “So many of the business skills I learned consulting were useful in the antiques business,” says Tracey. Tracey openly shares her wealth of knowledge with Toma not only of what the “game changers” were for her business, but what she sees as the modern day game changers in building an antique business. Toma and Tracey share the power of turning down a sale, how to educate your clients on the pros and cons of antique buying in order to enable them to make educated decisions when buying, and the importance of treating your buyer with profound respect – empowering them to make the decision that is going to be right for them. This podcast is packed with jewels every antiques dealer needs to know.

Tracey says “Being an antiques dealer is a complex business that is constantly changing and you have to change with it.” In this episode, Toma and Tracey provide wisdom and help for antiques dealers giving you a taste of what Tracey did not have the benefit of – mentorship. The episode closes with the invaluable resource you will find in a mentor. Lastly, the two evaluate the advantages of buying an existing antiques business in order to have financial flow while learning the ropes of being an antiques dealer. Never underestimate the power of inside knowledge!

This episode is sponsored by The Antiques Diva Training Program

The Business of Antiques - Antique Dealer Training Program offers business coaching and training for seasoned professionals in the trade as well beginners who are wanting to start a store and everyone in between. 

When you work out with a personal trainer at the gym they keep you focused and hold you accountable. They help with goal setting and understand how the human body works better than you do - and thus plan your workouts to maximize your goals, needs and skill sets. A personal trainer quite simply keeps your wellness plan on track.  Working with a business coach for your antique store operates the same way as working out with a personal trainer at the gym.  In The Business of Antiques - Antique Dealer Training Program we help you achieve your goals - and increase your profitability and productivity.  We bring new ideas, help develop your vision, establish realistic growth goals and provide effective marketing and sales strategies. 

Email toma@antiquesdiva.com to book a FREE 1 HOUR CONSULTATION.