Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessi Roderman.
Hi Jessi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up surrounded by family that liked yard sales, auctions, and had a true appreciation for “old” things. They passed that love of the old things, things with a history and story to me. After surviving the Covid pandemic as an accountant in the medical field I needed a change and the idea of a vintage reselling came to me in mid 2021. It was instantly a great fit. I love finding all the hidden treasures and getting them to someone else to enjoy. I think of myself a “Joy dealer. ” Thus the name of my Business, The Wildflower Joy. I started out small and keep my accounting job until I was successful enough to leave that world and become a full time online reseller in June of 2023. Since then I have continued to grow and sell my vintage gems on several online platforms.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any worth while endeavor there are challenges, One of the biggest for me is living in a very rural area. I can’t always finding quality vintage, especially at low enough prices for me to make a profit selling them. I can travel hours from home and come back with very little to show for my effort. My friends and family are very supportive and always keeping an eye out for deals.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Wildflower Joy?
My process is to go out and shop to find the vintage, unique, quirky, and cool things of this world. This is the fun and the part I enjoy the most. I then bring those things home and clean them, research the history, use, and possible value. I stage and photograph the items and create a listing providing all that info to the future owner. I then put the items up for sale on online selling platforms including Etsy, eBay, Poshmark, and Whatnot. When the vintage gem is purchased I pack them item and ship it out for someone else to enjoy. I do that process over and over again. Every item is hand picked by me and my hope is that it brings a smile to someone somewhere. I want to make this world a more joy filled place one small thing at a time. To date I have shipped “Joy” to about 40 countries worldwide. I am also proud to say that my teen daughter loves vintage as much as me and has been by my side since the beginning.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Because I work from home and sell solely online networking is limited. However, I have found other resellers through Facebook groups and following some YouTubers. I am a natural introvert so this set up works well for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thewildflowerjoy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewildflowerjoy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildflowerjoy
- Other: https://linktr.ee/thewildflowerjoy
