We had the good fortune of connecting with Joannah Hillebrandt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joannah, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I started Loved Up Vintage for many reasons, the biggest one being to bring integrity and consciousness back to how we consume goods and to do so with sustainability and minimalism in mind. Which for me and my creative journey, meant revisiting my past and reconnecting with a lighter time in life by resurrecting vintage and antiques items mostly from the 1970’s and 1980’s. I also wanted to approach my offerings from a very inclusive and diverse approach by focusing on items that are unisex or non-binary, making them super flexible which is in-keeping with my luxe minimalist approach in the clothing arena.

Not that everything was perfect before big businesses of the world wide web took over but there was more thought and connection in everything really, when we were shopping (and making life choices for that matter) in more than .05 seconds. I want us to slow down. To seek out goods and services that bring more value to our lives than just… stuff/things/items/mass trends. To invest in more small companies and creatives that offer value, better quality and a greater sense of community back to our lives. Because where and how we spend our money is our greatest power in shaping the world we want to live in.

I hoped to build a website that feels like a trip down memory lane… a lane paved with sales so that I can support myself and grow as a creative person and business. Because my goal is to be among the first of many small businesses that bring financial security, happiness, and a healthy work/life balance back to myself and anyone I’m able to bring on board one day.

Financial insecurity should be the exception not the rule for the citizens of this modern world. And hustle should be a choice, not a necessity. I believe that can only be achieved for creatives through the people starting more companies with that same goal. To live a life with balance, security, happiness, and community.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The mission of Loved Up is to source goods as ethically as possible. To purchase any new base goods, directly from only the best companies with best practices, or from companies seeking closeout sales before items potentially hit landfills. To find our vintage pieces at small vintage and antique shops, that are independently owned. And when we say this, we mean it. We have touched and felt the energy of each and every vintage item, as its purpose is to enhance the good energy and love in your life, in my life, in our employees’ lives… To have that wonderful energy continue to move in the world at large.

So, there it is. More clearly put, our mission is to put more love, kindness, compassion, and plain old good energy in the universe. Because everything has energy; the food we eat, the art we collect, the furniture we sit on, the books we read, the water we drink, the things we touch, the people who surround us, the music we listen to, and the clothes we wear… so why not have them work for us, help us in our daily lives and be positive winds at our backs as we move through life.

Seek out the best, most ethical choices, as often as you can. Now we know that is easier said than done, that no life always has the time to think through all decisions thoroughly. All we can do, is the best we can do. But every conscious choice we make, will make it easier the next time. Training our minds not to make reflex decisions, but to give it a moment. Take pause before you purchase, anything. Because with each thoughtful purchase, you are telling the universe, this company represents what I want more of in the world. So, let it be a message of love, good energy and fair trade. Let it be things that make you smile. Things that will enhance your journey, not just serve as a means to an end. Each thing that comes into our lives, is the start of a new beginning. As we begin again with each breath, let it be coming from a body clothed of perseverance and a home set in love and a wish to be your best…
for yourself, your loved ones, and the universe.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This one is fun to answer because I can retrace a recent trip with my friend Samantha, who was visiting from Colorado… Two areas are a must: Westheimer what I call ‘vintage row’, and in north Houston ‘old town Spring’.

Both of those areas have great small businesses to support… from coffee houses, eateries and of course vintage and antique shops.

So… The first weekend we would def check out Leopard Lounge, The Cottage Shop and Lo-Fi Vintage, among others as we cruise Westheimer. Maybe grab a coffee and pasty at Empire Cafe, shop til we drop, then definitely do dinner at State of Grace because they have so many good pescatarian options.

Then maybe that Thursday heading to north Houston where we will def hit up the Spring Antique Mall, then head to old town Spring for Sam’s Antiques and Lynn’s Table for a good homemade sandwich. There are also lots of non-vintage little shops to support here including Noble Street Tattoo, because every day is a good day for a new tattoo.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I credit my family, and their unwavering support, for a big part of my success. I knew I wanted to be in the business of fashion from a very young age… from dressing up in my moms clothes and heels in my very young years, to getting my first designer Gloria Vanderbilt jeans as a pre-teen, choosing the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising for my higher education, and then becoming one of the youngest women promoted to buyer at Nine West Group.

There have been many hills and valleys along my career path, especially once I decided to leave corporate America for entrepreneurship, but my family believed in me every step and crazy idea along the way. No failure was ever met with judgement and every success has been celebrated. The Loved Up Vintage hangtags are a testament to that, as they feature a family portrait circa 1972 featuring four generations of strong women who have been and always will be my foundation.

Website: https://lovedupvintage.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovedupstyle/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannah-hillebrandt-a5a1119/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550962287276

Other: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=598837661&sxsrf=ACQVn0__eAsroJ2Wfk98ffRPrQXS0g_1nA%3A1705426543762&q=Loved%20Up%20Vintage&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgU1I1qLAwt7BISkkzMjFNNTc0N06yAgqZGaRZmCemmVtaGhmmppkvYhXwyS9LTVEILVAIy8wrSUxPBQAlpiObPAAAAA&mat=CQ0xXWcsgtxZ&ved=2ahUKEwj8-9L6uOKDAxV4k2oFHez4BGQQrMcEegQICRAD

Image Credits
All Photos taken by Joannah Hillebrandt

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