Today, we’d like to introduce you to Alisa Jernigan.
Hi Alisa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I initially started offering small housewares and clothing on a resale website and then shared a booth at the Nashville Flea Market at the Fairgrounds with a friend I met on Instagram in 2015.
It was my last semester of undergrad (I was a nontraditional student), and unlike previous semesters where I could maintain full-time employment during the day and attend evening courses, I was required to complete two classes that were only offered during the day.
Between 2015 and 2022, I sourced for others and sold minimally online. Then, in 2022, I ventured into full-time self-employment, and my business has been growing and evolving since.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Full-time entrepreneurship has been rewarding in various ways, but it has not been without challenges. I didn’t come from a family of business owners. My mom had a 9th-grade education. I didn’t have the benefit of mentorship from family to understand registering the business, taxes, and things of those sorts that may seem so simple.
I was fortunate to enroll in several entrepreneur programs and met many like-minded individuals who gladly shared what they knew. In the Fall of 2023, I finally felt things were falling into place. I leased a larger space and invested a significant amount of time and funds into what felt like the next steps of my business. Then, in December 2023, Mother Nature had other plans, and a tornado struck our physical location.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I offer a curated selection of vintage and antique home furnishings sourced across the United States, Africa, and Europe. I take pride in offering quality items and spend a significant amount of time researching and cleaning each piece prior to the presentation. My close friends poke fun at me because I actually use a toothbrush to clean crevices. My thought process is to prepare each piece as though it will have a television debut, and we are not sure which angle will be presented; therefore, every nook, cranny, corner, and angle must be photo-ready.
There are many talented individuals who do the same thing I do, and many will come after me. But what sets me apart is my “why.” Yes, just like many of my peers, I was reared on a limited income and learned ways to present myself and my home in a way that didn’t show the lack of money in my home. Sourcing secondhand has been second nature for me. It wasn’t until recent years that I realized this is defined as “sustainability.” But my “why”, my reason for sourcing quality items has to do more with creating a legacy. In recent years, both my grandmother and mom passed away within six months of one another.
I have many fond memories of each, but because my family didn’t hold sentiment in special pieces, memories are all that remain. It’s my goal to offer those items that will be passed down within a family- that will tell the story of the one(s) who loved the piece before being passed down, whether it be an oil rub on the arms of a chair from a grandfather who, without fail, sank into the chair each evening after working all day or a rug with a worn path from the bare feet of a mother who walked on the rug each night to enter her child’s room to kiss them goodnight.
For me, it’s not just furniture. It’s a story. A puzzle piece. A legacy.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance. I’ve realized that there are others who have experienced my obstacles and have gained valuable insight that they will gladly share. Do your research and be willing to learn. While many programs geared toward entrepreneurs exist, it’s important that you have an idea of what you need from the program prior to enrolling.
Be sure to ask questions prior to committing, as you’ll quickly learn, “You’re not for everyone, and not everyone is for you.” Be open-minded. Some of the most valuable guidance I have received came from individuals who are in completely different fields.
Contact Info:
- Website: ebbandiv.com
- Instagram: @ebbandiv
Image Credits
Ashley Kaneko
