Today we’d like to introduce you to Becky Wilson.
Hi Becky, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For my husband, Chris, and I, becoming owners of three Vintage Market Days® territories wasn’t something we set out to do—it was something we grew into over time.
For years, we traveled the country as vendors, participating in nearly 30 Vintage Market Days® events annually. We weren’t just selling home décor and vintage finds; we were building relationships with other small business owners, meeting thousands of customers, and experiencing firsthand what makes these markets so special. We quickly realized that Vintage Market Days® is about so much more than shopping. It’s about community, creativity, and providing entrepreneurs with an opportunity to grow their businesses while creating unforgettable experiences for shoppers.
During that same time, we owned and operated Wilson Company Store in Jasper, Georgia. The store was an incredible chapter in our lives and taught us so much about retail, customer service, and building a loyal community. As our opportunities with Vintage Market Days® continued to grow, we reached a crossroads. Rather than operating a single storefront, we realized we could have a much greater impact by helping hundreds of small businesses succeed instead of just our own.
After years of building our own business as vendors, we discovered that our greatest joy came from helping other small businesses grow. Becoming market owners gave us the opportunity to multiply that impact—creating events where hundreds of entrepreneurs can showcase their talents, connect with new customers, and build thriving businesses of their own.
That led us to purchase our first territory, Vintage Market Days® of Knoxville. Not long afterward, we expanded into Eastern Iowa, and then an opportunity arose that was especially meaningful to me—the chance to become owners of Vintage Market Days® of Lexington.
Lexington is home. I was born and raised there, attended school there from elementary school through college, and my family has deep Kentucky roots. When Vintage Market Days® of Lexington relaunched in 2022, Chris and I proudly participated as vendors at the very first event. We watched the market grow into an incredible tradition under its previous ownership, so when the opportunity came to continue that legacy, it truly felt like coming full circle.
Today, we proudly own and promote Vintage Market Days® of Knoxville, Eastern Iowa, and Lexington, producing six events each year that bring together hundreds of carefully curated small businesses and welcome tens of thousands of shoppers. While each market has its own personality, they all share the same mission: creating beautiful, welcoming events where small businesses can thrive and communities can gather.
Looking back, every step—from traveling as vendors to owning a retail store to becoming market owners—prepared us for what we’re doing today. We feel incredibly grateful to spend our days championing small businesses, preserving the tradition of shopping small, and creating experiences that bring people together. It’s a responsibility we never take for granted, and we truly believe we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like most entrepreneurs, our journey has come with its share of challenges. One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that growth requires difficult decisions.
When we decided to become market owners, we were also operating Wilson Company Store. We loved the relationships we built there, but we eventually realized we couldn’t give both the store and our growing portfolio of markets the attention they deserved. Closing the store wasn’t easy because it represented years of hard work and wonderful memories. At the same time, we knew we weren’t walking away from something—we were walking toward something bigger. That decision allowed us to focus on creating opportunities for hundreds of small businesses instead of just our own.
Owning three territories also means wearing a lot of hats. We’re event planners, marketers, customer service representatives, logistics coordinators, social media managers, and small business coaches—all while traveling between multiple states. Every market has its own vendors, venue, volunteers, sponsors, and community, so no two weeks ever look the same. Learning how to scale while maintaining the personal touch that Vintage Market Days® is known for has been one of our greatest challenges.
We’ve also learned that owning an event business requires resilience. Every event is influenced by factors outside your control—weather, the economy, travel, changing consumer habits, and rising costs. We’ve learned to adapt, make data-driven decisions, and stay focused on providing an exceptional experience for both our vendors and our shoppers.
Through every challenge, we’ve come back to the same purpose: supporting small businesses. When we see vendors have record-breaking weekends, launch new businesses, or tell us that our markets have changed their lives, it reminds us why we do what we do. Those moments make every challenge worthwhile.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Vintage Market Days® is an upscale, vintage-inspired market that brings together carefully curated small businesses for a unique shopping experience unlike traditional retail or flea markets. Each event features a thoughtfully selected collection of antiques, vintage finds, original art, boutique clothing, handmade goods, home décor, gourmet foods, jewelry, and specialty products from talented vendors across the country.
Our mission extends well beyond hosting shopping events. We specialize in creating an exceptional experience where shoppers can discover one-of-a-kind products, meet the makers and curators behind the brands, and spend the day enjoying a welcoming, community-centered atmosphere. At the same time, we provide small business owners with a platform to grow, gain exposure, and build lasting relationships with customers.
One of the things that sets our markets apart is our commitment to quality. Every vendor is juried to ensure guests enjoy a diverse, elevated shopping experience featuring products they won’t typically find in big-box stores or online marketplaces. We are intentional about every detail—from the vendor mix and event atmosphere to customer service and community partnerships.
Giving back is also an important part of who we are. We proudly use Humanitix as our ticketing platform because of its “Tickets for Good, Not Greed” mission. Rather than keeping booking fee profits, Humanitix directs those proceeds to nonprofit organizations around the world. In addition, each of our markets partners with hand picked, local nonprofit organizations—including college athletic programs, churches, humane societies, and animal rescue organizations—helping each event make a positive impact in the community it serves.
What we’re most proud of is that Vintage Market Days® is more than a marketplace—it’s a community. Our events bring together entrepreneurs, artists, makers, nonprofit organizations, and shoppers who all share a passion for creativity, craftsmanship, and supporting small businesses. Every market is designed to inspire, connect people, and create meaningful experiences while strengthening the communities we serve.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The quality that has shaped our business more than any other is simply loving people.
Our faith has always been the foundation for how we try to live and lead. Jesus taught that we should “love your neighbor as yourself,” and we’ve tried to make that more than just something we believe—it’s how we approach our business every day.
That means treating vendors the way we would want to be treated if we were in their shoes. It means welcoming every customer as a guest, valuing our volunteers and nonprofit partners, and looking for opportunities to encourage and serve others. We believe that when you genuinely care about people, they know it. Relationships become stronger, trust is built, and business naturally follows.
We’ve found that success isn’t measured only by attendance numbers or sales. It’s seeing a vendor have a record-breaking weekend, watching a new entrepreneur gain confidence, hearing customers tell us they’ve made our market part of their family tradition, or knowing our events have helped support organizations that are making a difference in their communities.
At the end of the day, we hope people remember us not just for producing beautiful events, but for the way we treated them. If we can leave people feeling valued, encouraged, and cared for, then we’ve accomplished something far more important than hosting a successful market.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vintagemarketdays.com/market/knoxville/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintagemarketdaysofknoxville?igsh=dWxmbHJ2ZndqcnB0
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1SQzkeSxqa/
