My Interview with Serena Thompson- The Orginal Farm Chick!

I bounced through the first years of my life in a hippie gypsy wagon, hand-built by my father, wandering the back roads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  My family eventually settled into a tiny cabin in the woods on property that was once inhabited by American Indians.  I spent my days searching for arrowheads, teaching myself to sew on a treadle sewing machine and to bake in a wood-burning stove, with no running water, refrigeration, or electricity in our home.

My family lived frugally and early on, inspired by my parent's thriftiness and style, I gained a clever knack for thrifty creativity and turning ordinary objects into something useful.  And I dreamed of the home I would create for my own family someday.~ Serena Thompson

Wow did that dream become a reality...

Many of you have heard me quote the original Farm Chick herself, Serena Thompson. To say I adore her is an understatement. In a nutshell, Serena grew up with very little...in a tiny cabin without water or electricity. She lived a life of simplicity and making do or do without. Fast forward to NOW, Serena is the chick at the top of The Farm Chicks empire. She hosts a yearly vintage show that attracts thousands and thousands over a two day period, she is the author of two books, she carries a line of Farm Chicks products, and is pretty much my hero.

So when she offered to grant interviews in preparation of her new project, My Favorite Find, I jumped on that! Oh hecks yes I did! Not only is the launch of this new endeavor exciting, but the chance to correspond was even crazier! The chance to ask her some burning questions was divinity, it was a dream, it was like tapping into the brain of someone who has experience so much. Here is how it went down!

You speak with much transparency about how you grew up. Thank you for that. How do you think this has shaped the kind of mother/business woman you have become?  Thank you for saying that.  You know, I think growing up in a household where we were always struggling to get by had a huge impact on me and I'm thankful for it.  It made me strong and inventive and gave me the resourcefulness to make something out of nothing, to work hard, and to love what life has given me.  I try to pass that on to my children.

 I adore how much you tell your readers that you "love them." Why is this so important to you?  There's a kinship there and my readers are very special to me. I want them to know that.

What is one vintage trend that you hope never goes away? Is there one you could do without?  I hope that the sweet little old kitchen gadgets of our grandmother's era never go out of style.  Wouldn't the world be a happier place if everyone had an old wooden rolling pin and baked a pie once in a while? :)  As far as a trend I could do without, I'll admit I don't like wagon wheels.  I wouldn't be sad if they disappeared.  I have no idea why.

When the Farm Chicks show is in full swing with busy buyers and sellers, do you have the chance to stand back and just watch for a moment? To take it all in? If so, what thoughts go through your mind?  During the show, I do steal away for a few moments here and there.  Sometimes in the show office, or sometimes outside, just far enough away so that I can see shoppers coming and going.  It's a really overwhelming feeling to me - all of these people there because of something I've created.  It always makes me feel like crying.  In a good way.

Is there one piece of advice that you have received over the years that has stuck with you more than others? Yes!  I remember Isaac Mizrahi saying "Never forget the car that drove you to the party".  It was at a really pivotal time with The Farm Chicks.  We had stopped the show for one year to take a break and were considering stopping the show entirely, to pursue some other big opportunities that I'd been working on.  For me, that car was the show and it was, and always will be, "the car that drove me to the party".  I knew we had to continue on with the show.  And we did.

That last bit of advice...never forget the car that drove you to the party...that one stuck with me. I mean chills down my spine stuck with me. Why? There is pure truth to it. It is a simple notion so easily forgotten. I don't want to forget it. And now, I don't think I ever will. 

I can't thank Serena enough for all of the inspiration she provides to other women who want to create a niche for themselves in this big beautiful world! If you would like to check her out and become inspired too you can do so at www.thefarmchicks.com or www.myfavoritefind.com for the My Favorite Find debut on Monday, March 19th! I know I am excited to see what all of the buzz is about!