Meet Randi Hernandez Schmidt-Tophoff | Antiquities Dealer and Recovering Corporate Lawyer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Randi Hernandez Schmidt-Tophoff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Randi, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my career in the legal industry in my early 20s as a corporate lawyer and have had a long and enjoyable career ever since; however, I have always felt like a piece of me was missing professionally. As I turned 40 this year, I not only have the confidence to try new things, but I am also less concerned about failure. My brain has always been an even split between the left-brained, organized, uber planner that made me a successful lawyer, and the creative dreamer with hearts in my eyes that gives me inspiration for this vision. Gull and Goose Antiques has given me the opportunity to combine those two parts of me into something I could not be more excited about!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Gull and Goose Antiques, my goal is to make antique and vintage items more accessible to more people. I think that the antiques market can be incredibly intimidating and it can be hard to even know where to begin! My hope is that Gull and Goose Antiques will bring beautiful things to anyone who wants to add layered charm to their home, while avoiding the barriers that geography, expense or industry can bring. And the added benefit of doing it online is that the platform removes the clutter or visual noise that in-person shopping sometimes adds. Whether you’re just beginning your journey with antiques, continuing to build your collection, searching for a very specific piece, or anything in between, Gull and Goose Antiques is here to help!

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.
One of the absolute best things about Houston is its restaurant scene – it rivals any city in the world! And while there is an endless list of new and trendy places to try (and we do!), a first-time visit isn’t complete without patronizing the city’s tried and true – DeMarco for a wonderful, cozy Italian dinner, Ninfa’s for the city’s best TexMex and Coltivare for brunch on the patio! For anyone wanting to treasure hunt in town, The Guild Shop and AG Antiques are always on my list. And because I’m a mom of three little ones, we are always popping into one of the city’s amazing museums or parks – the Houston Museum of Natural Science, The Menil, Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, and The Japanese Gardens at Hermann Park, just to name a few! Come visit!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
After a lifetime of curating a love of treasures, there are so many people who have a part in my story! My husband has been incredibly supportive in all of my professional endeavors and is a wonderful and practical source of advice on everything from “Is this art cool, or is it just me?” to “How the heck do I get my financials to tie?” I’ve also been so fortunate to soak up every ounce of creative energy from a long list of designers I’ve worked with through the years (most recently and most notably, Jennifer Barron and Whitney McGregor). They were training and teaching me, without even realizing it! My three kids (Frances, Winn and Clarence) are very accustomed to a sharp-right turn when we see a sign for an Antiques Mall or Estate Sale, regardless of where we are in the world – and beyond knowing that “We touch with our eyes, not our hands”, they are huge champions of Gull and Goose Antiques. And finally, my great-grandmother and grandmother, both lovely Southern women, taught me to love a good crystal pattern and use it every chance you get!

Instagram: @gull.and.goose.antiques

Image Credits
Main Image Only – (c) Ailee Semple Petrovic – @Snapshotsandmythoughts