About Today’s Subject:
Libby Alexander
Co-Creator of: The Vintage Bazaar
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Website: The Vintage Bazaar
Twitter: @vintagebazaar, @theblogbloglog
Libby Alexander and her partner-in-crime Katherine Raz have launched something very special in Chicago. It’s called The Vintage Bazaar, and it’s a pop-up flea market that’s been taking the city by storm since their launch in February of 2010. Their first event drew about 3,000 attendees. The follow-up event in August 2010 brought together more than 8,000 people. It’s continued to grow since then, and they have their next one scheduled for Sunday, Sep. 18 (11am-6pm, Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee, $2 admission). In the process, they’ve really brought together a community of DIY’ers, thrifters, and creatives throughout Chicago. Aside from the blazing success they’ve experienced in such short time, what’s really fascinating about all this is that Libby and Katherine cooked the whole thing up the very first time they met, in what turned out to be an epic 4-hour conversation. If they hadn’t each been living in line with what they valued, I doubt they ever would have met, and who knows if The Vintage Bazaar ever would have existed.
“I did the math and realized I was leaving a lot of money on the table, a lot of opportunity on the table, by not just going for it and taking the risk.” –Libby Alexander
Just recently, Libby left her day job at a neighborhood chamber of commerce to work full-time on The Vintage Bazaar. And it’s paying off. This October they start writing for Dwell.com, and Libby just recently began contributing to TheHairpin.com. (Be sure to check out her post, “The Best Worst Stuff People Tried to Sell at the Junk Shop.”)
“You can’t please everybody. And maybe you can’t even please yourself. Just keep trying to.” -Libby Alexander
Libby was very open about the joys of creating but also the internal struggles of never being fully satisfied with the results. And the struggles of giving up a regular paycheck to pursue The Vintage Bazaar full-time. She seems well aware of the risks and the price she pays to pursue this full-time, but clearly she’s full of enthusiasm and passion for the path she’s chosen.
A Few Insights from My Conversation with Libby
- Having a partner can open up new possibilities you never dreamed of. Always be open to opportunities that come along. You never know who you’ll meet if you stay open. In fact, you might just meet someone, and everything might click and come together.
- Know what you value. Libby mentioned that she has friends who work traditional jobs and have plenty of money, and one of her sacrifices is living financially lean and not being able to go out with them for simple joys, like burgers. But her friends often tell Libby how interesting her life seems to them. Be sure you’re clear on what you value. Libby has been very intentional about pursuing The Vintage Bazaar full time, but she realizes the sacrifices she’s making in the process. For her, the sacrifices are worth it.
- Do the work. Libby mentioned that people will ask her advice on how to find cool vintage items, and she tells them, “You’ve got to go to the thrift store every day.” This principle applies in so many situations. She’s taking that same philosophy to The Vintage Bazaar. When it comes down to it, you just have to do the hard work and the heavy lifting to make things happen.
Option #1: The Full Interview (16 min.)
Option #2: Bonus Clip about Having a Business/Creative Partner (3 min.)
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