Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Elmore Roberts.
Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In the years leading up to opening The French Eclectic, Theresa (my business partner) and I became fast friends and bonded over a mutual love for treasure hunting and ‘old crap’! We’d spend our weekends thrifting and scouring estate sales and auction houses for antiques, furniture, and unique novelties.
The idea to start an event rental company really came together when Theresa was planning her own wedding. After doing some research, we found that the rental companies that existed in our area didn’t offer the type of furniture and decor that aligned with her personality or style. With that in mind, coupled with the fast-growing wedding and events industry in Charleston, SC – we knew there was an opportunity for us to stand out as a boutique event rental company that offered vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces. Our brand was quirky, color-obsessed with an eclectic twist and we wanted to attract clients who celebrated their individuality!
We created a website showcasing our modest collection of 10 items (hey, ya gotta start somewhere!), made profiles on all the social media platforms, and ‘set up shop’ in a tiny office space our friend graciously let us use for storage. We jokingly referred to it as our ‘humble beginnings’ Design Atelier and would cringe whenever clients requested to come by and view our ‘showroom space.’ I think we all encounter that ‘imposter syndrome’ when we first start out in a profession!
For the first few years in business, we said “yes” to every opportunity (paid and unpaid) – and focused our efforts on building strong relationships with wedding planners and event venues. We collaborated on dozens of photoshoots and created a wonderful social network of local vendors in the industry. I think through this process of gradual growth, partnered with relationship building, and remaining true to our brand… we’ve established some ‘staying power!
Today, we occupy a lofty 7,000 sq. foot warehouse space, have a growing staff of 8 employees, and by some miracle from the goddesses above – managed to come out of a global pandemic busier than ever before!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We’re entering into our 7th year in business and while we’ve certainly encountered ‘growing pains’ along the way – we started the company on a shoestring budget with no large financial backing or small business loans to jumpstart our growth.
For the first 2-3 years, we kept our ‘day jobs’ and reinvested every penny of our earnings back into the business. We rolled up our sleeves and wore all the hats! In addition to being Sales Manager, Marketing & Social Media Pro, Chief Financial Officer, and Delivery Drivers – our daily routine consisted of moving sofas, chairs, and heavy furnishings across sprawling lawns, historic courtyards, and up steep, narrow stairways at local events venues.
With that said, there are always unglamorous parts of running a small business in addition to the “fun stuff”. I’ve found that having a career that keeps me creatively fulfilled on a daily basis helps keep the passion alive during those times of struggle! We’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with so many talented and creative business owners since launching The French Eclectic.
We absolutely love seeing photos of our rentals in action at events. It makes all the hard work and ‘heavy lifting’ worthwhile.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The French Eclectic?
The French Eclectic is a boutique event rental company that features a soulful mix of vintage and modern lounge furniture, custom bars, dining packages, props, and decor. We service all types of private events, weddings, festivals, and photoshoots.
I think what’s always set us apart from others is our love for color! It’s no secret that we have an obsession with vintage sofas and if you schedule a visit to our warehouse you’ll be greeted with our impressive collection of rainbow-colored velvet tufted seating!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
If you’re planning an event and are in need of our services, here’s what we suggest…
First Step: Visit our website to get inspired and to browse our collection online! You can view our entire Rental Collection here: https://www.thefrencheclectic.com/rentals.
Next step: Create and submit a ‘Wishlist’ with all the items you are interested in and we’ll get back to you with availability and a price quote.
OR just shoot us an email at bonjour@thefrencheclectic.com with general questions or to book a showroom appointment at our warehouse!
Contact Info:
- Email: bonjour@thefrencheclectic.com
- Website: www.thefrencheclectic.com
- Instagram: @thefrencheclectic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrencheclectic
Image Credits
Taylor Jarvis Photo, Allison Hanson Photography, Haley Foster Photo, Niamh Falter Photo, Sean Money & Elizabeth Fay Photography, Marissa Siebert Photography, and Perry Vaile Photography
