Business of Vintage Podcast

Secondhand Growing Pains: Emily Stochl

Headlines read that resale is booming. Meanwhile, many vintage sellers are reporting record lows. In this episode of the Business of Vintage Podcast, Sloane Middleton Mann sits down with resale journalist and Pre-Loved Podcast host Emily Stochl to unpack the biggest contradictions shaping the secondhand industry today.Emily Stochl is known for digesting world news through the lens of the resale economy in her podcast, social media pages, and Substack newsletter, Pre-Loved. Emily shares insights from her reporting on vintage seller income, explains why industry growth isn’t trickling down to small businesses, and reflects on how the resale landscape has changed more in the last five years than ever before. Thoughtful, honest, and grounded in real data, this episode is a must-listen for vintage sellers navigating a rapidly evolving resale economy. Plus, we reflect on 2025 business trends and what we can expect from consumers and sellers alike in 2026.
 
Guest: Emily Stochl (@emilymstochl) 
Resale Journalist & Host of the Pre-Loved Podcast
Hosted by:Sloane Middleton MannFounder of Business of Vintage (@business.of.vintage)
Learn more:businessofvintage.com

Tell Yourself "Yes, And": Dethrose Vintage

She's your favorite vintage dealer's favorite vintage dealer for a reason. In this episode of Business of Vintage Podcast, Sloane Middleton Mann sits down with Karyn Dethrow of Dethrose Vintage, a Chicago-based shop known for its timeless aesthetic and commitment to preserving vintage fashion through meticulous care.
From sourcing a grandmother’s entire 1930s–40s wardrobe by chance, to selling pieces that now appear in major film and TV productions, Karyn shares the journey of discovering her niche, building her brand’s unmistakable style, and the reality of what it’s like to run a vintage business in today’s market. We also chat about her experience at the inaugural Pickwick Vintage Show in Chicago, the emotional connection behind mending every piece by hand, and how alignment in your business can be a true turning point. For the vintage shoppers listening, Karyn's advice on how to gift vintage items and make sure they fit every time is pure gold.
Guest:✨ Karyn DethrowFounder of Dethrose Vintage
Hosted by:🌟 Sloane Middleton MannFounder of Business of Vintage
Learn more: businessofvintage.com

Think Like a Business Owner: Lost & Found Decor

What began as a single antique booth has grown into a seven-figure brand. In this episode of the Business of Vintage Podcast, Sloane Middleton Mann sits down with Melanie Alexander of Lost & Found Decor: vintage seller, content creator, and genius behind the Think Like a Business Owner course.
Melanie shares how she transformed a side hustle into a scalable, profitable business. She opens up about the power of mindset shifts, building systems for real revenue, and why creative entrepreneurs need to stop treating their business like a hobby. Plus, she breaks down the story behind her best-selling Booth Seller Bootcamp and the Budget-Tracking Spreadsheet that went unexpectedly viral.
This episode is packed with shop talk, candid takeaways, and a reminder that running a creative business means doing more than just the fun stuff.
Guest:✨ Melanie AlexanderFounder of Lost & Found DecorCreator of Think Like a Business Owner Course
Hosted by:Sloane Middleton MannFounder of Business of Vintage
Learn more: businessofvintage.com

No Risk, No Reward: Lost Girls Vintage

What was once a mobile boutique operating out of a retro RV is now a Chicago institution. In this episode of Business of Vintage Podcast, Sloane Middleton Mann chats with Kyla Embrey, co-founder of the iconic Chicago brand Lost Girls Vintage. 
From a 1976 van, to two beloved brick-and-mortar shops, to Vintage Chicago Bus Tours, Lost Girls Vintage deserves it's own Eras Tour. Kyla dives into growing a brand that's rooted in personality and purpose, ever-guided by their guiding principle since Day 1: “no risk, no reward”. Lost Girls Vintage is also passionate about supporting Chicago’s communities through both collaborations and activism. Oh — and Kyla tells the wild story of how she and her co-founder Sarah Azzouzi decided to start a business together within six months of first meeting.
Guest:✨ Kyla Embrey Co-Founder of Lost Girls Vintage
Hosted by:Sloane Middleton MannFounder of Business of Vintage
Learn more: businessofvintage.com
About Business of Vintage Podcast:Every vintage item has a story, and every vintage shop does too. Celebrate the past, while thriving today, on the Business of Vintage Podcast. Hosted by Sloane Middleton Mann, founder of Business of Vintage: the world’s only marketing agency built specifically for vintage shops.

Not Your Grandma's Sofa: HiLo Brooklyn

You know when you *try* to sink into a vintage sofa, but it just isn't as comfortable as a new one? HiLo Brooklyn is on a mission to change that. In this episode of Business of Vintage, Sloane chats with Laura Deutch of HiLo Brooklyn, the design genius turning forgotten vintage sofas into custom (& comfortable) statement pieces. She can turn your Milo Baughman into a sectional that fits your exact space, all while repurposing the original bones & maintaining the perfect design. Oh, and she's not afraid to finish it in a patterned fabric either. 
Guest:✨ Laura DeutchFounder & Design Principal of HiLo Brooklyn
Hosted by:Sloane Middleton MannFounder of Business of Vintage
Learn more: businessofvintage.com
About Business of Vintage Podcast:
Every vintage item has a story, and every vintage shop does too. Celebrate the past, while thriving today, on the Business of Vintage Podcast. Hosted by Sloane Middleton Mann, founder of Business of Vintage: the world’s only marketing agency built specifically for vintage shops.

Guardians of the 70s: Retropickers Barcelona

We’re in Barcelona, so we naturally had to stop into the stunning new RetroPickers Barcelona storefront. Maria Santos, co-founder of RetroPickers, shares why restoration is central to everything they do. This now-iconic shop started during the pandemic, fueled by social media growth. From salvaged lamps to Spanish design icons, this episode explores what it takes to build a vintage brand that truly stands out. 
Guest:✨ Maria SantosCo-Founder & Co-Curator of Retropickers Barcelona
Hosted by:Sloane Middleton MannFounder of Business of Vintage
Learn more: businessofvintage.com
About Business of Vintage Podcast:
Every vintage item has a story, and every vintage shop does too. Celebrate the past, while thriving today, on the Business of Vintage Podcast. Hosted by Sloane Middleton Mann, founder of Business of Vintage: the world’s only marketing agency built specifically for vintage shops.

Betsey Johnson Changed My Life: Old Moon Vintage

Few dealers could pull of running their vintage shop inside a tattoo parlor, but it's a perfect fit for Brook-Lynne Vezer of Old Moon Vintage. Vezer joins Business of Vintage to chat about her 15-year journey from teenage seamstress to vintage icon. She spills on seeing her pieces on TV, being a part of iconic markets like A Current Affair & Pickwick, and redefining her brand through motherhood. It’s a joyful, real talk about evolving as a person while keeping the sparkle alive.
Guest:✨ Brook-Lynne VezerFounder & Curator of Old Moon Vintage
Hosted by:Sloane Middleton MannFounder of Business of Vintage
Learn more: businessofvintage.com
About Business of Vintage Podcast:
Every vintage item has a story, and every vintage shop does too. Celebrate the past, while thriving today, on the Business of Vintage Podcast. Hosted by Sloane Middleton Mann, founder of Business of Vintage: the world’s only marketing agency built specifically for vintage shops.

Keep Vintage Human: Benjamin Vintage & Design

In this inaugural episode of the Business of Vintage Podcast, Sloane Middleton Mann sits down with vintage trailblazer Marvin Benjamin of Benjamin Vintage & Design. The two just happen to be longtime confidants as well. One of the eclectic personalities at Chicago vintage collective Design at 329, Marvin shares how his roots, grit, and eye for the spectacular shape his thriving business. They talk shop, strategy, and the irreplaceable power of human connection in an industry too cool for algorithms.
Spoiler: if you love Business of Vintage, Marvin might be the reason why. Tune in to hear how friendship, funky furniture, and a fierce belief in the vintage community helped spark it all.
Guest:✨ Marvin BenjaminFounder & Curator of Benjamin Vintage & DesignMember of Design at 329, Chicago’s iconic vintage collective
Hosted by:Sloane Middleton MannFounder of Business of Vintage
Learn more: businessofvintage.com
About Business of Vintage Podcast:
Every vintage item has a story, and every vintage shop does too. Celebrate the past, while thriving today, on the Business of Vintage Podcast. Hosted by Sloane Middleton Mann, founder of Business of Vintage: the world’s only marketing agency built specifically for vintage shops.