Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Hood.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For Georgia native Leslie Hood, inspiration arrived at age 17 in the form of a gifted antique sewing table. That single piece of history sparked a lifelong love affair with timeless design—one that deepened in the historic halls of Milledgeville and flourished amid the coastal charm of Savannah. When Leslie relocated to Charleston in 2017, she brought that sharp eye for vintage treasures with her, quickly immersing herself in the local creative scene through estate sales, pop-ups, and styling for events like ECO Runway CHS and Charleston Black Pride.Today, Leslie is the multi-passionate force behind two of Charleston’s most delightful hidden gems. Through her online and market-based venture, The Curated Collective, she sources and restores premier vintage and antique goods, offering design lovers unique pieces with a past via Chairish, Facebook Marketplace, and local artisan markets. But Leslie’s creativity doesn’t stop at aesthetics. Driven by a deep affection for animals, she simultaneously built Must Love Dogs, Charleston, a premier, private pet care and house-sitting service. Now boasting a certified dog trainer credential, over 75 loyal clients, and nearly 200 five-star reviews, Leslie has seamlessly blended her love for antiques, animals, and community. When she isn’t managing her dual empires, she can be found
patio gardening, restoring old furniture, or redesigning her own Charleston home.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh my goodness, how much time do you have? When I started this business in 2019, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I just knew down to my bones that I loved to create and uncover one-of-a-kind pieces—even if I hadn’t figured out how to monetize that skill yet. Every single step since then has been a masterclass in resilience. I have built this by doing, by failing, and by figuring it out. I’ve had to stop, restart, and pack up my entire life and move a few times from one place to another. But I am still here, and I am still hanging in. This business is my passion, and I will die on this hill before I ever give up on it.”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It really depends on the avenue I’m working through. When I’m setting up at local artisan markets, my focus is primarily on fashion, jewelry and curated statement pieces. I am especially known for my vintage statement belts featuring bold buckles from the ’70s and ’80s. I always strive for a balance between the delightfully funky and the timelessly classic. On the digital side—selling through Chairish and Facebook Marketplace—I currently focus on larger furniture pieces due to navigating a smaller apartment footprint. However, as I continue sorting through my inventory of treasures, I am expanding my listings to include fine art and unique ‘smalls.’ I have adopted a brand-new outlook for this venture. It comes down to curating anything I find genuinely cool. I am constantly on the lookout, always visualizing how one unique piece might complement another. Right now, I’m in an intentional education phase, which has allowed me to reconnect deeply with my own passion and creativity. For a long while, I worried I had lost that creative spark entirely, but it is slowly and beautifully coming back. People often tell me I’m known for my creative eye—and while that always feels a bit conceited to say out loud, design and styling are truly where my heart lies. Through the up-and-down roller coaster of entrepreneurship, I’ve mastered time management, balance, and an extensive education in history. I am still learning every single day, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has stayed by my side through the transitions. I am finally settled, grounded, and looking forward to what the future holds. Ultimately, what sets me apart is the details and the deep dives I do to research the history of these pieces. Everything tells a story, everything has a past, and I absolutely love giving them a new future.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
People who know me through The Curated Collective see me as a creative eye and a fashion lover, so they are usually shocked to learn that I am also a certified dog trainer. They look at my vintage ’70s statement belts and my art curation, and they don’t picture me studying canine behavioral psychology or learning how to handle reactive animals. I went through the rigorous process of getting certified to make sure my pet care business, Must Love Dogs, Charleston, offered the absolute highest standard of service. I love that I can be a total history and design nerd by day, and a professional dog whisperer by afternoon.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chairish.com/shop/lowcountryeclectic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chairishco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hi8Mjjagi/
- Email: thecuratedcollectivechs@gmail.com
