Today’s guest is one of Toma’s favorite Brits for the first guest of the new year. Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co and Founder of The Republic of Toma, is excited to sit down with Jane Walton – the mastermind behind the antiques aggregator site Decorative Collective (https://www.decorativecollective.com) and their sister website Hoarde Vintage (https://www.thehoarde.com). Jane launched the Decorative Collective in 2009, around the same time Toma launched The Antiques Diva & Co. Toma first met Jane through her colleague Gail McLeod, VP of Antiques Diva, and owner of Antique News & Fairs. Jane, a dealer herself, started her website initially to promote a handful of antique dealers who had been selling at the popular Decorative Fair in London’s Battersea Park. Her website wasn’t originally planned to be a marketplace, but ­– like all great entrepreneurs – Jane evolved her business. More and more dealers began requesting to join her website and The Decorative Collective site quickly became one of the top UK and European websites for buying and selling antiques. 

Jane’s and Toma’s stories bear such striking similarities and showcase the beauty of organic growth. The Antiques Diva & Co. started as a blog and transitioned into leading antique buying tours because readers started petitioning Toma to take them antiquing in Europe. The Decorative Collective launched as a website with beautiful inventory –gorgeous decorative vintage and antiques – and it grew quickly, becoming a busy and friendly online marketplace. The various sellers on the DC offer antique, vintage and contemporary furniture, lighting, mirrors, art, and accessories for both home and garden. With sellers uploading their items throughout each day, there is literally always something new to see and buy. On the DC, buyers and sellers communicate directly with each other, creating an incredibly transparent website. The sellers pay no commission on sales – just a flat fee to the DC – which allows them to be more competitive. And, buyers do not have to have an account to contact sellers, but having an account does allow buyers to save items for future reference and comes with a few bonus benefits.

Jane is a storehouse of business knowledge which she openly shares in this podcast. Jane shares the story of her growth – what she and Toma refer to as the “growing up” of their businesses –how her willingness to evolve with the changes that came her way has made her company strong as well as the power and importance of having integrity in your usiness. Jane’s story is much like that of many of our listeners seeking to become antiques dealers. After years working as a legal secretary or PA in London (pssst…she worked for the queen’s solicitors!), Jane found herself ready for a big change and, when she dared to share with her new spouse her desire to take the leap, she found herself encouraged to fly. Jane openly admits that there’s been a learning curve, but says the mistakes are where the greatest learning occurs. “From a professional point of view – you grow and change every single day. You do something different every day.” And that’s why she loves the business of antiques. It never gets boring. Jane believes if she can do it, you can too. This podcast is the perfect kick-off for a brand new year and a brand new you. In this episode, Jane and Toma will inspire you whether you are new to the antiques industry or a longstanding part of this lovely institution. We all know owning your own business is not for the faint of heart, but it is something you can do if your heart so desires. It’s simply a matter of taking the first step, and the next, and every step that comes after with tenacity, integrity, and passion. Jane shares, “I’m not a brave human being, but one thing I do have is tenacity and it bore me though. It’s got me where I am today in this business.” Don’t be afraid to take the leap if it is your time to fly!