Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Pitt.
Hi Nikki, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I was growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money. I was the firstborn in my family and was a creative person in a very small Midwestern town. I found, at a young age, that I could create a space of my own in my bedroom and express myself with whatever was available to me at the time. I’d make curtains out of bedsheets, cut out magazine editorials of things I thought were beautiful and stuck them to my walls, rearranged furniture constantly or found unused knick-knacks from around the house and used them to decorate. Going to thrift stores or garage sales felt like a treasure hunt to me and still does. Before I decided to open my store, I would go and try to find unwanted treasures just for me and then that evolved into Rockin’ Relics.
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?
Back when I was in college, I had the idea to open a store but the overhead costs for a brick and mortar wouldn’t justify it. Once online shopping became more popular and creating a website became less expensive, I gave it a go. The biggest obstacle, which is one that I think all vintage/antique sellers experience, is sourcing their merchandise and shipping items without them breaking. Fortunately, I live in a tech-centric city and I’m developing an app to help resolve that supply issue as well reducing waste and creating side hustle income for people who love to shop vintage – so keep an eye out for that!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a real estate agent by day – which is pretty self-explanatory – and a small business owner the rest of the time. My website specializes in vintage items for the home and well as clothing and accessories. Midcentury modern, bohemian and some farmhouse style items are mostly what you’ll find. All artwork is original and everything else is verified to be vintage. I’m most proud of how my store, and others like it, are helping to fix the issue of over-consumption in this country. Most things I sell were made to last and oftentimes made in the USA. You definitely don’t see that now but if you do, the price point is out of reach for the everyday consumer. I’d like to think that by rescuing these amazing items from the dump, we are making a positive dent in the ecosystem by re-selling goods rather than continuously producing products that are often manufactured by workers who are underpaid and mistreated and then thrown away in a few years and left in a landfill. It’s truly a win-win, and that feels good.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I have been self-taught for the most part and really would like to network more. Now that the pandemic is starting to fade, I would love to collaborate and network with like-minded people in the future. Hit me up!
Pricing:
- Average Price point is $45
Contact Info:
- Email: nikkipitt24@gmail.com
- Website: www.rockinrelics.com
- Instagram: @rockinrelicsatx
- Facebook: @rockinrelicsatx
Sarah W.
March 23, 2022 at 1:04 am
I love Nikki and her store. She’s always had great taste and I’m glad she is using her talents. You go girl!
Claire B.
June 10, 2022 at 2:48 pm
I’ve followed Nikki even back when she had Velvet Vintage. I was one of her first clients and have followed her ever since. She’s always finding new and unique things and I look forward to it. I still need that Mushroom clock! *hint hint*