One thing a business owner learns quick is to make friends and network with other business owners. I have gained some great friends that I probably wouldn't have met if it wasn't for my business. I tend to be a wallflower and prefer to sink into the background at larger gatherings. As a result I don't always make the sort of effort I could. I'm probably missing out on some fabulous people and that is a shame. And something I hope to change about 2014.

Luckily there are fun outgoing people who sometimes shoulder the load. So it's fitting I should introduce one of my newest (and outgoing) friends, Allisa Thobe. Allisa and I share a love for vintage. I heard about her business on Facebook. In fact, my aunt learned about her on Facebook and messaged me to suggest that I "like" her. I believe I even went out on a limb and messaged her and introduced myself. Funnily enough her husband Rob was helping our HVAC guy in our new place. Allisa replied back with enthusiasm. She was already cooking up business plans and was arranging an open house at her home. She invited me to be a part of it and it was a memorable day.

I drove up to her home which is situated perfectly at the end of a residential block. Behind her home is a great big barn/garage just stuffed full of her great inventory. They had a charming little set up in the backyard. Allisa went all out with a rented tent, port-potties, a food service and a collection of really talented vendors, of which I was proud to be included.

It was decorated beautifully and with bright skies, no one believed the weather forecast of rain. But guess what - that rain hammered down on us not once but twice. Poor Allisa, her husband Rob (and I believe her mother) were soaked to the bone as they ran around helping the vendors protect their things. A gracious and considerate host till the end. I was sold.

Allisa and her hubby are a class act. I've spent time with them socially and they are just a fun couple who genuinely enjoy their lives. This show in their business dealings. Not only that, they have generous hearts. When a local gal wanted to spread word about a disease that was taking her life, Allisa jumped in and put her heart into a quarter auction and donated the rental of her inventory toward a special photo session with Corynna Strawser and her family.

This couch makes a stunning achor for an amazing photo.

Without further ado, I give you information on Miss Allisa and her business . . .

Thobe Vintage & Antique Rentals
48 North Olive Street | Versailles, Ohio 45380
937-423-4167
www.thobevintagerentals.com
(NEW website in the making)

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Hours of operation are primarily by Appointment Only

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We know that a Wedding can be a very costly event. So we are here to help you spend a little less on items that most don’t have a desire to keep after their wedding. We rent out our one of a kind and unique items to help give your wedding or event that special little touch you are looking for.

My husband and I started this business because we had the same theme when we got married. We fell in love and one of the things we truly loved doing together were to go out on what we called “Our Adventures”. We go to auctions and antique all over from state to state. So we don’t just shop and hunt in just one area. We travel all over for our finds. We meet amazing people and see amazing places.

After we got married and started settling in our home. We found that other family & friends wanted that same theme for their weddings and events. After being asked if we still had our items and if they could borrow them, we thought why not do what we love and make a business out of it. So next thing we know we have business of our own and we are making others dreams come true for there special events.

We have now been in business for almost 2 years now. Last year we had 7 wedding and this year we have already booked 9 and they are still coming in. We hope to keep growing our business in a very big way! We have some amazing ideas for 2014.

My long term goal for this business is to be a stay at home mom and do a job I am truly in love with. Right now we both work full time jobs and just do this business on the side. So that is why we are primarily by appointment only. Otherwise I would be out in our shop 24/7 doing project after project as my mind never stops turning with ideas.

The thing I like best about my business is that I truly love what I do and when you truly love something I believe your passion shows in your work.

To narrow down a favorite piece in my inventory I really don’t think I could do it. Well I really can’t because I love each and every piece and it’s hard to even sell some of my pieces to make room for new to make my customers happy. I began to have a bond with some of my pieces with the touch ups and or work that I do on them as well. So in a sense you begin to get attached.

Allisa and Rob enjoying my mom's cheesecake bars at my Friends and Family night.

Other info about my life: I am 26 years old and I grew up in Arcanum and moved to Versailles because I met my amazing husband Rob. Who I truly adore. He has such a passion for antique and vintage items just like I do and it’s something that we can enjoy and love together. He is great with his hands and has an amazing talent of inventing and making some great items. He loves working with wood and tinkering in his barn. We have now been married for a little over 2 years. We have two dogs Ziggy & Zipper who go with us everywhere and enjoy traveling with us on "Our Adventures". We are so very lucky to have an amazing set of family and friends that support us in every step we take and we are truly blessed I thank God everyday for the all the amazing things he has brought in my life.

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Thanks Allisa for being a part of my blog today!! I urge everyone to visit and "like" Thobe Vintage and Antique Rentals on Facebook and follow Allisa and her amazing ideas.

https://www.facebook.com/ThobeVintageAntiqueRental

Sara Paper