Running Pine Vintage has been one of the most rewarding—and chaotic—experiences of my life. From sourcing unique pieces to connecting with customers, every day brings something new. While the vintage business might seem like all thrift shopping and aesthetic Instagram posts, there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. So, I thought I’d take you on a little journey through what a typical day in my life looks like as the founder of Pine Vintage.
Morning: Coffee, Planning, and Product Prep
The day always starts with coffee (lots of coffee) and checking my to-do list. I keep track of everything from upcoming vintage drops to social media content and markets I’ll be attending. Planning is key in this business because there are so many moving parts—inventory, emails, marketing, and more.
After planning my day, I dive into prepping products. This means steaming, photographing, and writing descriptions for new arrivals. Every piece is carefully checked for quality and authenticity before it’s added to the shop. I want each item to look its best when it gets to its new owner, so I make sure everything is ready to go.
Afternoon: Content Creation and Community Building
Once the inventory is ready, it’s time to switch gears and focus on content creation. Social media is a huge part of Pine Vintage, so I spend a lot of time curating posts, shooting photos, and filming TikToks or Instagram Reels. I always try to show off the personality of each piece—whether it’s a bold Carhartt jacket or a cozy Levi’s hoodie.
I also spend time engaging with the Pine Vintage community. This means answering DMs, responding to comments, and connecting with other vintage lovers. One of my favorite parts of running Pine Vintage is hearing from customers who love their purchases. It’s so rewarding to know that a piece I carefully selected is now a favorite in someone else’s wardrobe.
Evening: Packing Orders and Preparing for Markets
The evenings are all about fulfilling orders and prepping for upcoming markets. Packing orders is one of the most satisfying parts of my day. There’s something special about knowing that each package will soon arrive at someone’s doorstep, bringing them a little piece of vintage history.
If I’m gearing up for a physical market, the evening is spent planning my stand. How many racks will fit? What pieces should I bring? How can I create a setup that’s eye-catching and easy to navigate? Markets are an incredible way to meet customers face-to-face, so I always put in the extra effort to make my stall stand out.
The Chaos of Balancing It All
While every day is exciting, I won’t sugarcoat it—running a vintage shop is hard work. Some days I’m overwhelmed with tasks, especially when juggling online sales, markets, and social media. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The thrill of finding an amazing piece, seeing it go to a happy customer, and building a community around sustainable fashion makes every long day worth it.
Why I Do It
At the end of the day, Pine Vintage isn’t just about selling clothes. It’s about creating a space where people can express themselves, find unique pieces, and embrace a more sustainable way of shopping. Vintage clothing is special—it has a story, a soul, and a sense of individuality that you just can’t find in fast fashion.
So, whether I’m steaming clothes, packing orders, or replying to messages late at night, I remind myself why I started Pine Vintage in the first place: to share my love for vintage fashion and build a community of like-minded people who care about style, quality, and sustainability.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Whether you’re shopping, following along on social media, or just here to read about the behind-the-scenes chaos, you’re a huge part of what makes Pine Vintage so special.
And now, time for me to get back to work—those vintage pieces won’t find themselves!