In this episode of The Business of Antiques, Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co and founder of The Republic of Toma, visits with Simon de Harlez of Deulin Antiques. Simon is a Belgium antiques dealer who runs his store from his family’s 18th century castle, the Château de Deulin. Even after all of Toma’s travels, Deulin remains one of her favorite chateaux to this day. 

Simon is a dealer she has personally bought from, someone she considers a friend, and who she honestly considers a role model for antiques dealers entering this industry. 

Simon specializes in what he loves: Scandinavian antique furniture. This is the first rule - but what you love and you can sell it because you have passion. 

Over the last three seasons, Toma has repeatedly emphasized the need for dealers to diversify their income streams, stressing the importance of selling in multiple ways. Simon had diversified his antique shops income streams. He has created a comprehensive antiques business that Toma deems worth a case study for dealers looking for various revenue streams. Not only do they showcase and sell antiques out of their Château de Deulin and online, but they also rent it as a bed and breakfast, allowing clients and customers to come and stay overnight, touring their warehouse and shopping on the grounds as well as enjoy a comfy stay. They sell at deballages in the South of France and also host an onsite antiques fair that not only benefits their antiques business but also lifts up other dealers in the region. Simon’s father continues to work with him, restoring furniture and being an integral part of the company. Listen in to discover even more ways this business sells antiques.  

This episode is full to the brim not only with solid business strategies to help antiques dealers learn to diversify their income streams, but also incredible sourcing tips, the advantages of buying straight from the dealers place (or Chateau in Simon’s case), madcap tales of Toma’s driving escapades, and the fabulous why and how of once you become an antiques dealer, you’re likely to stay one for the rest of your life. You can find more about Simon de Harlez, shop from him, or set up your own adventure to his chateau through his website deulinantiques.com or follow his Instagram @deulinantiques. For more information specifically about the chateau, go to: www.espacedeulin.be