The Business of Antiques

In this episode of The Business of Antiques, host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, sits down with luxury marketing expert Dawn Moore of Moore About to tackle the question every antique dealer and interior designer is asking: How do I market my business when I have no time and no budget? Dawn draws on 40+ years of experience with high-luxury brands like Harry Winston, Mikimoto, and Chopard to translate “big brand” strategies into practical, doable steps for small luxury businesses. From why your photography has to be “antique porn,” to how your website and blog feed your SEO, to the surprising truth that email newsletters still convert better than social media, Dawn and Toma walk you through what to prioritize first when every marketing dollar counts.They also dive into storytelling, point of view, and crisis management—including how dealers pivoted during COVID and what that means for selling antiques in today’s uncertain market. Toma shares honestly about authenticity, vulnerability, and her own struggles with consistency, while Dawn explains why done is better than perfect and why your clients now need up to 20 touchpoints before they buy. As they look ahead to 2026, the pair talk about AI as a tool (not a threat), the power of real-life experiences and experiential marketing.Toma and Dawn want to offer you as a listener a complimentary one-hour joint consultation to help you finally get your marketing working for you in the new year. Email Toma or Dawn to find out more.Check out the links from our episode.Dawn: Instagram | mooreabout.comToma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

In this episode of The Business of Antiques, Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, continues her conversation with long-time friend and industry insider Derrick Ricketts, diving deep into what really works in antique retail, merchandising, and sales. Drawing on decades of experience in showrooms, design centers, and hospitality, Derrick shares practical advice on building a concept store, creating the right mix of antiques and new products, and using layered merchandising so customers can actually see your pieces in their own homes. From Gustavian chairs in Sweden to color stories inspired by Aidan Gray’s iconic orange, this episode is packed with real-world examples that antique dealers and interior designers can apply immediately.Toma and Derrick also tackle the realities of social media fatigue, event marketing, and how to stand out in a saturated feed without spending a fortune. They discuss why resetting your floor regularly matters, how to guide traffic through your shop, why corners are often missed opportunities, and how to use customer service and authenticity as your ultimate competitive edge. Along the way, listeners get stories from Round Top, the Paris flea market, Bali, and Chiang Mai, plus smart ideas for non-discount promotions, gratitude marketing, and even using pets as part of your brand. If you own an antique store, have a booth, or dream of opening a shop, this episode is a masterclass in making your store more profitable, memorable, and inspiring.Check out the links from our episode.Derrick: InstagramToma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

In this episode of The Business of Antiques, Toma, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, shares a behind-the-scenes conversation with one of the interior design industry’s true unsung heroes: Derek Ricketts, Director of Sales, Hospitality at Palecek. From their chance meeting at High Point Market to an impulsive trip to Buenos Aires that involved polo ponies, countesses, and Austrian-steel fortunes, Derek and Toma unpack how curiosity, courage, and relationships can completely reshape a career in design. Along the way, Derek traces his unlikely path from radio and Shakespeare festivals to national sales roles, luxury linens, and hospitality design, revealing what he’s learned about sales, merchandising, and owning your value in the trade.They also dig into the realities behind the “jet-set” life that shows up on Instagram—points hacking, hotel loyalty, and doing it all on a shoestring budget—versus the polished perception people see online. Derek shares the inside story of how he brought Diane Keaton and The House That Pinterest Built to the Dallas Market Center, and the powerful lesson in doing your homework before pitching a big idea. If you’re an antique dealer, interior designer, or home furnishings professional who craves more travel, bigger opportunities, and the confidence to take risks in your business, this conversation will make you laugh, think, and dream a little bigger.Check out the links from our episode.Derek: InstagramToma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

Host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, sits down with interior design legend Mitzi Beach to unpack Life-Sizing—Mitzi’s niche approach to designing purposeful, wellness-driven homes for clients 50, 60, and 70+. Drawing on thirty-five years serving high-end clientele, Mitzi reveals the “forgotten middle” of the market and why cookie-cutter plans fail this 87-million-strong demographic. She shares the curbless-shower story that sparked her mission to move design beyond “pretty” into safe, ergonomic, future-ready spaces—and how small choices prevent big setbacks.You’ll hear how universal design and aging-in-place can be beautiful, why multi-purpose pieces (hello, secretaries and desks) support real life, and how antiques add meaning, story, and calm to wellness-focused interiors. Mitzi also previews her new Housing Change Warriors certification for designers and realtors—bridging the gap between selling homes and creating spaces that truly fit how people live now. Plus, smart time-management habits for creatives, the power of CEU-level education, and using social media to build authority by “showing up” with value.Whether you’re an antique dealer, designer, or realtor, this episode shows how to sell—and design—for needs, narratives, and longevity.Check out the links from our episode.Mitzi: mitzibeach.comToma, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

In this episode of The Business of Antiques, host Toma Clark Haines is joined by Tara Connaghan, Donegal fiddle player, tour guide, and podcast host of In Tune With Tradition, who shares her journey from construction to auctions, from antique rings and fur coats to violins (including Collin-Mezin and that unforgettable Lupo). Together they explore overcoming imposter syndrome, choosing your niche, playing the long game in dealer relationships, and why etiquette—whether in Irish music sessions or the trade—matters. You’ll hear practical tips on buying at auction, building trust with hotels and local partners, and matching unique inventory to the right buyer.Toma also pulls back the curtain on how dealers really buy—before items ever hit a fair or a feed. Toma announces the launch of her Private Buyers Club on Substack, giving paid members access to never-before-seen European inventory sourced through back barns, dealer networks, and private WhatsApp groups—commission-free and perfect for topping off a container. Plus, Toma’s latest Substack posts on fast movers and selling in a slower market. Whether you’re an antique dealer, interior designer, or design enthusiast, this episode is a masterclass in merging authenticity with business strategy. Discover how timeless craftsmanship, storytelling, and a few well-chosen antiques can transform both a space-and a career.Check out the links from our episode.Tara: sessionetiquette.comToma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack