RACQUEL TAYLO R REMNA NT S O N MA IN Create, Inspire, Restore a worthy motto that Remnants On Main upholds. When you step foot into Remnants on Main, you are immediately inspired by the store s decor. Racquel Taylor, the owner, has an uncanny way of taking anything rustic, dusty, or forgotten and turning it into a unique piece of home decor. She has always loved to inspire and show people that they can take anything with a soul and history, and restore it into something unique and beautiful. What makes this busy wife and mother of three stand out is the compassion she has for others. Racquel is a people person, always promoting local businesses, and is involved in community events that donate to charities. To truly appreciate her unique displays of antiques and collectibles, you must visit her shop, which holds something original and special for everyone. Currently, Remnants has a great variety of vendors, who each possess creative talent that is evident. Remnants also holds various creative workshops, from how to infuse life back into a family heirloom to classes taught by their very own certified instructor for Miss Mustard Seed s Milk Paint. Racquel wants you to always value and explore your artistic side, whatever that may be. If you feel inspired when leaving her shop, she accomplished what she s set out to do. 96 97
BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD. MAHATMA GANDHI One of my first memories is being a curious 4-year-old watching my artistic mother slowly glide her paintbrush around each curve and angle. She was a sign painter/artist who would take me with her on local display window assignments; one in particular was our local barber shop. I can clearly see her now, balancing herself as she painted, intent on perfection, and I remember how proud I was of her as we drove off and I could see her masterpiece! During holidays my parents would encourage my brother and I to choose, sketch, and finally paint one large streetside window of our house with any Christmas scene, which my father would proudly encase in sparkly flashing holiday lights for our passing neighbors to enjoy. 98 99
Drawing, decorating, and creating have always been passions of mine. After my own three children were enrolled in grammar school, I had more time to myself. In between washing loads of laundry and attending soccer games, I could sit and enjoy reading Where Women Create BUSINESS, which was passed on to me by my loving mother-in-law, who is a fabulous folk artist. The inspiring words and vibrant colors spoke to me, motivating me to walk into a local antique shop and approach the owner about becoming a vendor. I was given the task to redecorate their front display window to prove to the owners that I was an asset and could showcase their antique treasures to the best of my ability and I succeeded. I happily agreed to become a vendor, and rented my own small space in the store. I also volunteered my time to work as a cashier three days a week to better acquaint myself with the customers and to absorb as much as I could about antiques and the dealer world. 100 101
RACQUEL S BUSINESS TIPS 102 Develop a website for your business and make it shine. Create your own logo and take advantage of free online marketing tools, such as Instagram, and Facebook, and even Craigslist. Always be open to constructive criticism, feedback, and advice. Options should always be considered with pros and cons. Join your local Chamber of Commerce. Promote and support fellow businesses, whether purchasing advertisements in the local familyowned newspaper, donating gift certificates for silent auctions, ordering supplies from the local hardware store, ordering floral arrangements from the local florist, or using the town print shop. These supportive acts are seen, acknowledged, and appreciated by others. Location, although important, means nothing if you don t value and stand behind your word. Attend shows that are specific to your business, bring business cards, and be prepared with a cell-phone charger so you can snap inspiring photos and promote, promote, promote. Always have your hand in every part of your business, from decorating your display windows to editing what photos will be shown in advertisements. Turn your cell phone off after 6 p.m. so you can be present during family and social time. Explore and schedule workshops and classes. They will promote your shop and add another source of income. Extend business hours to accommodate special events, such as music festivals, parades, art shows, collectible car shows, etc. Don t waste energy or time dwelling on what everyone else is doing. Never lose sight of who you are. 103
The more I worked their shop alone, the more confident I grew, and I knew I wanted to have a shop of my own. I felt the smart thing to do was to proceed cautiously and not make any hasty decisions to weigh the pros and cons before committing myself to anything. After eight months of being a vendor, I began searching for an affordable empty building that I could call my very own. I decided it would be best to have a business partner who had the same drive and decorating style so we could share the financial responsibility, bounce ideas off each other, and share operation hours. During the entire duration of being co-owner, I ventured out to various antique shows to sell my merchandise and promote my shop, making connections with future clients and designers. After four years of sharing ownership, I was motivated to move forward and search for a larger building where I could create entirely on my own (with my crafty husband by my side of course). I found a place on Main Street in historic Santa Paula, California, and called it Remnants On Main. I am proud to offer a variety of quality vintage pieces, from primitive farmhouse decor to authentic vintage jewelry, shabby-chic items, industrial custom lighting, pottery, beautiful formal home decor, vintage license plates, porcelain advertisements, and just about anything else your heart desires. would like to thank Racquel Taylor for her involvement in our spring issue. To learn more, visit remnantsonmain.com, Instagram (@remnantsonmain), and Facebook (Remnants On Main Antiques & Collectibles). Photography by Martha Schuster. Learn more in Traveling Companions on page 138. 104 105