The Vintage Scarf Grew From eBay Success

After years of working in the administrative side of real estate, Paula Horlick was laid off, but that event has allowed her to pursue an entrepreneurial dream.

The Vintage Scarf Grew From eBay Success
By Julie Storing - 7/27/2009

The Vintage Scarf
Owner: Paula Horlick
Address: 3 Richmond Lane, Bella Vista
Phone: (888) 364-9749
Hours: 24-hour service
Start-up: December 2008
Web site: www.thevintagescarf.com

After years of working in the administrative side of real estate, Paula Horlick was laid off, but that event has allowed her to pursue an entrepreneurial dream.

"It gave me that push that you better try to do what you want to do," Horlick said. "It's everyone's passion to own their own business."

With her childhood memories of dressing up in vintage clothes for fun, Horlick decided to start selling them.

"My grandma had a closet full of her old clothes," she said. "Every time I would go there, I would get in her closet and dress up in her clothes."

She started by selling vintage clothing on eBay but soon found her focus in selling vintage scarves from the 1930s to the 1990s.

"How the scarf came about was that I was thinking, 'There has to be something that I can do that I am passionate about,'" Horlick said. "My mom sent me a vintage scarf to sell on eBay. I just started thinking about the scarf and who had owned it and where it had been."

Horlick then started her own Web site dedicated to showcasing and selling vintage scarves and scarf accessories, like clips and buckles. Her Web site also features the Nostalgic Gift Shop, where customers can purchase retro jewelry and decorations.

Horlick gets her scarves from a supplier, garage sales or friends.

"I got a box in the mail of 709 scarves," Horlick said. "If there is a tiny fray, I won't put it on the Web site. I go and see what there is on eBay. I have people around here who go to garage sales and estate sales. It seems like it's always the most beautiful scarves that have the flaws."

Horlick said that the biggest challenge of starting the Web site was getting the word out that the Vintage Scarf existed. She recently became a vendor and started selling her scarves at New 2 U Consignment Boutique in downtown Rogers and would like to sell at more boutiques.

In addition, Horlick said, she is developing the idea of hosting scarf parties. "I also teach classes," Horlick said. "I call it a scarf party. Women will come and get together, and I'll bring my scarves. I have mannequins and displays, and we will have fun with scarves. I would love for that to take off."

Horlick said she is dedicated to customer service and offers free shipping along with sending follow-up thank-you cards.

"I like the personal touch because nobody sends out a personal thank-you card anymore," Horlick said. "I always ship the purchase out the next day too."

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Tags: clothing, scarf, vintage


About The Vintage Scarf

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Paula M Horlick
Press Contact, The Vintage Scarf
The Vintage Scarf
3 Richmond Lane
Bella Vista, AR 72714