Meet Alexandra Madsen | Interior Stylist and Vintage Store Owner

I think people have this misconception that working for yourself means you get to work less, enjoy more time off or have an easier schedule. When I started my store, I found myself working double the amount I used to, wearing 30 different hats, always scrambling to do 30 different things with no one else to help. The sheer idea seemed unsustainable and overwhelming. It became all about growing my business and balance seemed a thing of the past. Fast forward three years, I have learned the importance of keeping balance in play and learning where my priorities are. Number 1. My health will always come first. I can only do as much as my body allows, if I’m not taking care of it, it won’t allow much. Number 2. It’s ok to outsource and take things off my plate. Number 3. Ignoring the cultural narrative that if you’re not always hustling you’re not successful.

For me it starts and ends with my clients. They are why I do what I do, they are what make it enjoyable to continue what I started. Mix that with a passion for sustainability and love for interior design and I found what I wanted to do. I have always loved odd and unique objects, pieces that stand out in a home, pieces that can’t be found anywhere else or that not everyone has. I grew up with parents that loved weekend antique shopping, I think that started my love affair with it. Never in a million years did I think that I would one day have my own business selling them. I always knew I did not want to spend my life working for someone else, but never knew what that looked like. For 2 years I worked my full time career while also doing my store full time, I was tired and burnt out but knew where I wanted to be and what it might take to get there,  that alone made it worth it to continue. Don’t let people tell you you can’t do something just because they might not understand it or think that it’s too risky. I remember how many people thought I was insane to leave my job to go flip furniture. I would make the same decision ten times over again.

I live in a small beach town in south Orange County. Home to alot of small business’, restaurants and in my opinion some of the best beaches in the world. I am a self proclaimed foodie so I always love giving people a good dose of my frequented food spots and local watering holes. We have a local breakfast spot, Ramos House Cafe that makes a crab hash that will knock your socks off. We have some amazing local wine bars such as Five Vines, The Cellar and Wine Gallery. The San Juan mission is down the road and offers a lovely space for reading a book or having a picnic with friends. Add in a few beach days at Crescent or Diamond in Laguna with a slice of Gina’s Pizza and that’s a good go to week for me

Someone that I have followed along with their journey for years is Danika Brysha, CEO and founder of Model Meals. Her authenticity is always something I have admired. A book I love is called the Go- Giver by Bob Burg, I found myself always coming back to certain principles he spoke about, applying them in my past jobs as-well and my own business.