Life & Work with Brandy Holder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Holder.

Hi Brandy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
That’s a great question, one to which there is no direct answer.

Coming from sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll “home”, I learned quickly to persevere. Having a single, young mother who worked a couple of jobs, her main one being an “exotic dancer” in Fayetteville, NC, living a nomadic life, often times our home being her car, I knew that was not the life I wanted.

Growing up poor, not having consistency, and dealing with an alcoholic and abusive home until the day I was able to flee that place immediately after my high school graduation, greatly shaped the person I am. Though I am still trying to navigate “what” I am supposed to be doing.

My mom always told me to be strong, smart, not depend upon anyone, and not let anyone treat me poorly, though the funny thing is, she most definitely did not lead by example. Having that background makes me one tough cookie and needless to say, a very hard worker, and as a 38-year old I know it’s okay to ask for help, but all the other guidelines still apply.

As far as how I got to be the owner of B’s Knees Vintage DC, that’s just me being an odd and eccentric human. I mean, what kid thinks they want to marry Bram and bald and bearded musician (of Sharon, Lois, and Bram’s Elephant Show, you know, the Skinnamarink song… just Google it) or one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Most little girls want to grow up and be Barbie and marry a “Ken” but not me, I just wanted to wear crazy clothes, climb trees, hang out with nerdy bearded guys and make friends.

I began wearing vintage clothes when I was in college, though I only had a few pieces from relatives that had passed or stuff I found here and there. I REALLY got into vintage clothes around the age of 25, wearing them on nice occasions or to one of my office jobs. As one does when they have a new hobby, I dove into everything vintage and found my closet stuffed to the brim.

There are items I am proud to own, but wouldn’t wear often such as the 1930s and 40s dresses and special over-the-top items. Many of the pieces I had collected over the years didn’t fit me or I wore once and wanted to wear something “new”, and then I had the go-to weekly things I wore, like the 80s and 90s sweaters/shirts and 50s dresses.

I am aware that I am more materialistic than most of the people I know, and perhaps it is because I grew up without money and had to leave things at the drop of a hat, but I truly adore all of my belongings. When I am ready to move on from a vintage piece, I want to sell it to someone who is going to really love wearing it and appreciate it, as I did.

And so I decided to start my own Etsy shop to sell some of my amazing articles from the past. My goal is to move away from Etsy, as it honestly is not the best platform or seller-friendly, but working three other jobs makes that harder to achieve right now.

I enjoy keeping this a small business for now, until I come up with a bigger picture and solidify goals. I’m honestly just getting through a divorce, losses from the pandemic, and figuring out my next chapter.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Does anyone really have a smooth life? I suppose some do, though that is a foreign abstract thought to me. Struggles are aplenty, and I am still navigating where I am going and where this aspect of my life will take me. Time and money are my biggest hurdles.

I find myself longing for the days when I lived a slightly easier life during my 10-year marriage. That double-income DC life is not too shabby, but now that I am on my own again, I’d really like more hours in the day and more money in my bank account. Haha, but who doesn’t? Despite me being a hard worker and full of ideas, I’d say my biggest challenge currently is myself.

I’ve lost so much, that I let my fear hold me back more than ever. I know I am going to lose even more, and I’m trying to play things safe by not taking big chances right now. And I know in five years from now when I look back on this exact moment in life, I will say this should not have been the case. Sometimes I am my own worst enemy.

Not having any substantial savings, living paycheck to paycheck, and being too afraid to go back to school, get a new degree, or pursue something I should have caused struggles. I’ve spent my entire life trying to break the poverty, abuse, and addiction cycle and steer clear of those paths.

I have focused too much on what I don’t want to be, instead of what I did want to be and what I wanted to do. I never really KNEW what I wanted to do with my life, I like so many things. I just know what kind of person I wanted to be, and I’m happy to say that I am that person.

I’ve always been of the mindset that who you are as a person is more important than what you do in your career. But that’s just me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My degree and career path have always been focused on children and teaching, but I have always had a knack for interior design. I absolutely love decorating and have an eye for fun concepts, incorporating color and personality into a space.

All of my friends fervently agree that I should have been an interior designer by profession, and perhaps I chose the wrong path in life. But it does feel nice when anyone new or an old friend walks into my home and requests that I come decorate their space. It’s a nice little boost, and we all need those once in a while.

When I am not working with children 9-5 Monday-Friday, I spend my time refinishing mid-century furniture, reupholstering chairs and couches, wearing and selling vintage clothes at local DC Pop-Ups and Etsy, using my awesome basement suite as an AirBnB getaway, and drinking beer with all of my beer friends and talking about local brews on the DC Beer Podcast.

The Airbnb takes up A LOT of my time because I clean it for four hours between each guest, so my place is spotless. (I am an obsessive neat freak, it’s a bit annoying sometimes). I am constantly redecorating. Either with my current pieces, I rotate between rooms or sell some of my cool vintage furniture and art to make room for a “new” item. I have had a successful 10 months AirBnBing my basement, with all 5-star reviews and constant bookings.

I work really hard in my house. It truly is my pride and joy, the thing I am most proud of. I want my house to always feel welcome, fun, safe, and inviting to my friends, old and new. Getting my hands dirty in the garden, fixing things around the house (the never-ending story), and just being outside, in general, keep me motivated.

I have a fantastic collection of wonderful mid-century modern furniture, MCM glassware, Curtis Jere sculptures, and about a million plants, and I will literally just sit down in my living room, put on some Steely Dan, and just admire my things. Wait, that sounds really strange. Geez, I’m odd.

Folks know me as the gregarious, spunky, friendly, quirky, vintage-wearing, gin-loving, beer nerd, and all of my jobs/side hustles maintain all the sparks I exude.

No matter if it’s blocking off hours of time on a Saturday to steam, photograph, and list vintage clothes, or spend the day redoing an MCM dresser, I know that I’m doing something I really enjoy and that someone will also love it as well.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I find it interesting that vintage does not really depreciate in value.

I’ve come to this realization after owning this house and finding, keeping, and selling vintage furniture. This little DC house was built in 1955 and I have spent the last six and a half years recreating what I would imagine it was like then, with more color and flair of course.

There is not a white wall in my house and I find such joy in art, new and old, beautiful lines, and funky furniture. I stay busy and my eyes constantly peeled for a great piece of furniture that needs to be brought back to life.

I taught myself how to reupholster vintage furniture, and though sanding isn’t overly fun, applying that first coat of wood stain/teak oil is exciting and instantly rewarding. I would love to spend more time and eventually get to where I do this full time, refinishing/reupholstering and bringing old furniture back to life.

When my now ex and I first started buying furniture before we bought my current house, we purchased Ikea, Target, and other types of tables, chairs, beds, etc. But doing that is like buying a car. As soon as you drive it off the lot, it depreciates. You can’t sell an Ikea sofa for the same price or more than what you paid for it.

People, when they have a true appreciation for it, prefer to buy vintage items. They tell a story, they have a beautiful look, and they’ve lasted and stood the test of time. The most desirable of all traits, at least for me; is ageless beauty and endless youth.

I would love to finally get a truck, and spend my days picking up really cool, disregarded vintage furniture to refinish and send back off into the world good as new. With people buying houses, they need furniture to fill them, and vintage isn’t going away.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeesKneesVintageDC
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beeskneesvintagedc/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beeskneesvintagedc
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BsKneesVintage?t=i8jGwJm8xEc_JwMOU6ybXw&s=09