Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Beam.
Hi Morgan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always loved all things vintage and antique. I like that each thing you see and touch when you walk through an antique store has a long history, having maybe been something special to someone in the past. My love of history and material culture led me to study art history and anthropology/archaeology when I went to college. I graduated with a B.A. in Art History and minor in Anthropology. Throughout my studies, I worked hands-on with fine art and archaeological materials and cultivated my love for the decorative arts.
After graduating and while working full-time at the Frist Art Museum, I started Trace End Vintage, my Etsy shop which I continue to run. To stock my vintage shop, I began going to several estate sales every weekend and somewhere along the way, I began thinking to myself… I can do this, too! That’s when I had the idea to start my own estate sale company.
With Old Harpeth Estate Sales, I enjoy coming alongside my clients and getting to hear about their stories and memories as they walk me through their homes. I feel honored to be trusted with my clients’ valuable and/or meaningful items, and my love of history makes it exciting to research unique items. I also love interacting with everyone who comes out to the sale–I have met some truly lovely and interesting people in this business!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When starting out in the vintage and antique industry, I think what was most difficult was learning how to make a profit when reselling. You have to make sure you get something for a reasonable enough price that you can be sure that after you take out expenses like shipping fees, transaction fees, or antique booth fees (all depending on where/how you are selling), that you are still left with enough profit for it to have been worth your time. Unless you are just doing it for fun, in which case the profit may not be important to you!
In regards to estate sales, something that can be challenging is managing expectations/priorities with your client. What I always ask at the very beginning stages with a potential client is, “What is your priority? Do you care more about making sure your items sell at the highest possible price? Or is your priority to sell as much as possible so you have less to deal with after the sale?” Of course, best case scenario is a balance between selling for the best price and selling as much of the home’s contents as possible.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Old Harpeth Estate Sales provides service to the Greater Nashville Area, assisting people who are in need of liquidating their estate, whether that be because of a death in the family, downsizing, or other. This process managed alone can be stressful and painful. That’s where Old Harpeth can help! Old Harpeth Estate Sales will organize, advertise, and manage the sale of your home’s contents.
Because of my experience with fine art and archaeology, Old Harpeth Estate Sales is well equipped to assess the value and accurately price the more precious contents of your home. The successful operation of my online vintage store has also given me transferable marketing skills of how to advertise online and reach interested audiences. Old Harpeth Estate Sales utilizes multiple online platforms in the lead-up to its estate sales in order to maximize the reach of interested customers in specific feature items as well as to promote the sale itself. Industry familiarity, marketing strategy, and hands-on personal customer care are the key strengths of Old Harpeth Estate Sales.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
What truly makes a successful business is people. Cultivating good relationships with clients and customers not only is good business practice, it’s also so fulfilling to feel like you’ve really provided a meaningful service for someone. I also am always amazed by the support I receive from not only my family and friends but wonderful people I meet in the industry along the way. Maybe because it’s Nashville and everyone is so nice, but I truly feel grateful that people who are more experienced in the industry or may have connections are willing to go out of their way to share their advice and resources.
Contact Info:
- Email: oldharpethestatesales@gmail.com
- Website: www.oldharpethestatesales.com
- Instagram: @oldharpethestatesales
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/oldharpethestatesales
