Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way: The Inspiring Story of Susan Street

I’m thrilled to share with you Part II of my interview with Susan Street, of the blog Fifty, Not Frumpy. Susan also owns a thriving company called VintageJewelrySupplies.com. Yes! She’s amazing! I hope you enjoy hearing about Susan’s incredible journey.

Susan, you have an amazing story. Would you mind telling us a little about your journey and how you got to this point in your life where you now have a huge following on your blog as well as a successful company?

On my blog, I occasionally show my house and my closet. People can see all the clothes I have and I think they might believe that I’ve always had success or have been blessed. They may also think that they could never achieve that. But I have to tell you, it hasn’t always been this way.

I’ve been an artist my entire life and I’ve always loved fashion. In 1989, I was working at a mall and managing a store. It was a very difficult job and I worked long hours. One day, a lady came in and she was wearing these beautiful earrings and I asked her where she got those earrings. She said she made them and told me where she got the materials. On my break, I immediately went to that craft store and I bought about $15 worth of materials and made myself some earrings. I still have those first earrings.

Several times a day within the next few weeks, I ended up selling the other earrings right off my ears. At that point, I became obsessed. I would wake up at three in the morning and make jewelry. I would get home from work and make jewelry. I was married at the time and I didn’t give my marriage much time or attention.

Ten years passed. I traveled. I had two jobs at one time. I tried to build the business and sell my jewelry up and down the East Coast. As no surprise, my marriage failed and when it did my business crumbled because I had no insurance and no place to live. I had to sell practically everything I had – my house, car, furniture, clothes, even the houseplants. I pretty much had nothing, but I was determined that I was not going to go home to my family at 45 years old as a failure.

I was homeless and I had very little, but I counted on my friends for a place to sleep and have a meal. I babysat kids and took care of the elderly. I did anything it took to work my way out of this situation, and I finally did.

I started my business again on eBay in 2000 with what little supplies I had. Within a few months I realized I was on to something. I built a website, sales increased, and I had to get an office.

I came back to Tennessee and I started my life over in my hometown surrounded with my family. I now have a 4,000 square foot warehouse and five employees that help me run my business.

I want to tell women that no matter what has happened to you, no matter what you’re going through, hang on and do the best you can every single day, because it’s going to get better. You will survive. You will make it. Just work hard and your time will come.

Perhaps you’ve spent the first half of your life taking care of others – aging parents or an ailing husband. I hope you can step out and do what you really enjoy and find fulfillment. Find that thing that you love doing where you totally lose yourself in it. If you are doing something you really love and you take the time to learn every single thing that you can learn about it, you will become successful in the thing that brings you so much joy and you are so passionate about.

What are your goals for your company VintageJewelrySupplies.com?

I just want to keep a healthy company that’s there for my clients. I currently have about 13,000 people that are signed up as buyers. I know that a lot of these people that are buying from me are reselling, so it is their livelihood. I know they’re depending on me to be able to offer new products on a regular basis. I also want to give my employees a place they can work for the years to come.

Susan, any final words for women in their fifties

Chart your course. Plan your life. Make it what you want it to be. Be the best you can be. Enjoy every moment of your life. Be healthy. Make good decisions about what you eat. Get some exercise. Reduce the stress. Make sure you have a healthy body so that you can enjoy the years to come. And finally, be sure to check out Fifty, Not Frumpy to learn what to wear that makes you look great.

Visit Fifty, Not Frumpy for more from Susan Street.

Wishing you joyful health in your 50’s,
Kim