We had the good fortune of connecting with Marion Reeb and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Marion, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It may surprise you to know that I actually didn’t set out to start my own business! When I moved to Colorado Springs in 2018, I purchased a mid century home with the clear vision of furnishing it with period decor. I have been a casual thrifter and collector my entire life, with a strong connection to the mid-century style. With a mostly empty home to furnish and not a lot of cash, I began going to estate sales hours early, hitting the thrift store circuit daily and following signs to yard sales across the city. Just for fun, I began posting about my mid century finds, and quickly realized that I was not alone in my love of all things vintage. During the next year, I was gaining followers who were coming just to see what I would find next! I started to get messages asking if I ever sold any of my finds, and I soon realized that my passion for vintage could be shared through selling. (And it could be profitable!) I soon began @midmodmarion on Instagram, and started live selling in 2021. I love being able to connect with others who share my passion for these vintage objects that have a history, yet still have a story to tell. My excitement for collecting and sharing memorable items from someone’s childhood, or something their grandmother had, or something shiny they always wanted, is what inspires me to grow my business. It is a daily grind and there are sacrifices you have to make to put your business first.. but if it’s what moves you, then your business can’t fail. We in the thrifting world always say, you have to look to find! Get out there and look, you might find yourself starting your own business too!
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been interested in art, history and music from an early age. I am dyslexic and the school system I grew up in were not well equipped to handle my particular learning disability. I changed schools several times and am grateful I had a mother and father who were always on my side. Reading and math weren’t my best subjects, which made me all the more excited to be accepted at Ole Miss as an Art History major. I was able to immerse myself in painting, ceramics, photography and music history for the first time in my life and I loved it! After college, at the age of 22, I became the youngest house manager at the Lyric Theater in Oxford, MS where I worked with and met several touring artists in my 4 years managing. I then moved to Colorado to nanny for a family friend for the next 4 years. It was in Colorado that I met my husband and moved to Colorado Springs. I struggled to find a satisfying and good paying job, but used my free time to seek out the best thrift stores in town. As I realized there was a market for my best thrift finds, my passion evolved into a business almost overnight. And even after several fulfilling and varied careers, I am definitely most proud of my Mid Mod Marion resale business. It showcases the talents that I do have, and satisfies my desire to be constantly creating. It may not be creating in clay or in paint, but every day I wake up and get to create new content that wasn’t there before. (Something that wasn’t as celebrated when I was doodling in class instead of reading!) I’d like to tell anyone else struggling with a learning disability to keep searching for what you ARE good at. No one is good at everything, and not everyone fits in the box of standardized learning. Focus on what you do well.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh wow, I don’t know if I can give up all my secret spots! You all seem nice so here it goes…the best week ever in Colorado Springs… Monday, take your friend up the Pike’s Peak highway to North Catamount Reservoir for the views. If they’re adventurous, take them to the Pike’s Peak cog train in Manitou! Tuesday, you have to hit up El Chapin, the best taco truck in town for Taco Tuesdays. Street tacos, tostadas, and churros oh my!. Stop in next door to Ranch Foods Direct for a steak to grill later in the week. Wednesday, experience the local music and bbq at Front Range BBQ and their Bluegrass Wednesdays. Get the John-Alex sandwich or the Sloppy Pig with baked beans and slaw and be prepared for leftovers! Thursday hit up the best hidden brewery in plain sight, Local Relic located in the old church on S. Weber. So many cool experimental beers there is something for everyone. They also make bomb cocktails and have a great selection of wine for our gluten free friends. Friday night, start in Old Colorado City with some El Salvadorian food from Monse’s Pupuseria, and head to the Broadmoor for desert. You don’t have to be staying there, just pop into Cafe Julie’s, a premier chocolatier and gelato cafe. Grab a desert and take a walk around the lake at the Broadmoor, it’s gorgeous any time of year. Saturday afternoon, head downtown and check out the Olympic and Paralympic Museum, the Heritage museum, and get tickets to the Switchbacks FC at the brand new Weidner field. Best downtown eats are actually found inside the Kinship hotel at Homa Cafe. Great ambiance and elevated offerings. Sunday is downtime so its time to walk off the week in North Cheyenne Canyon. Seven Bridges Trail or drive further down Lower Gold Camp for the trails less traveled. And how can I forget the amazing Arc Thrift stores?! We have four locations in a circuit that I visit on a daily basis. There are a lot of military and retirees here in Colorado Springs, which makes Arc Thrift store the best place in town to find treasures on a budget. Now… don’t tell anyone! 😉
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am constantly inspired by my mother, who taught me the value and style of past generations. She is an author, a birder, a genealogist, a vintage hunter, and my biggest fan. I would never have turned my passion into a business if it wasn’t for her love and support.
Website: www.midmodmarion.com
Instagram: @midmodmarion
Facebook: Mid Mod Marion
Youtube: Mid Mod Marion
Other: TikTok: Mid Mod Marion
Image Credits
Photo credit Laura Scannapieco
Great article! A journey to get it right and by re-purposing items and finding them new homes- Marion is preserving stories our past. These are good works!