Meet Dina Capehart | Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dina Capehart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dina, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m originally from Toronto, Canada, a city full of culture, style, food and fashion. I remember as far back at the age of 2, going through my mother’s closets, trying on her hats and perusing her jewelry boxes trying on all her clip earrings. My interest continued into my college years where I studied Apparel Management. I always wanted to own a store, a special and unique place that customers will get excited to shop in. I always loved fashion and considered myself to be fashion forward, making the seen in downtown Toronto in the 70’s/80’s dressed funky but chic. After relocating to FL, I worked in the art world then subsequently got married and had a child that thankfully, I was able to raise full time. My next door neighbor happened to be an antique dealer and introduced me to the world of all things vintage. I was hooked. I started perusing the consignment shops, both buying and consigning. Unhappy with my experience consigning, I decided this is the kind of store I wanted. One that makes both the consignor and shopper excited.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I get excited about vintage fashion. You can’t find the quality, cuts, and textures nowadays unless it’s haute couture. I look at myself as a rescue agency looking for vintage designer clothing though I do accept current labels from high end designers…preferably items “not made in China”. I love fur, feather and fringe…the weirder the better. When I first decided to open, I was terrified of failure. So I took my experiences from when I consigned my designer pieces and decided to do the opposite. It was important to me that my consignors were happy with their experience. Not having the funds to sign a lease for a storefront, I went to a local furniture consignment store and pleaded with them to rent me their small back space. What I’m most proud of is that I set up my shop with literally no funds, having found book shelves and racks from the local thrift shops, cleaned out my closet and called some friends to do the same. The 1st day I opened, which happened to have been a milestone birthday. 2 ladies came in and spent over $1,000! Word of mouth spread and within 5 months, I had to move to a larger location. What is absolutely important in running your own business is honesty and integrity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1. I would take them to the beach to relax and unwind. We have the best beaches here in S. Florida! Then indulge in my favourite Indian restaurant Indus, in W. Palm Beach Day 2. Consignment shopping. We have the best 2nd hand shops here in W. Palm Beach. From antiques, china, silver and clothing. Plenty of antiquing here from local stores to estate sales and auction houses. I would then head over to The Breakers Hotel. Fabulous restaurants and great people watching. Day 3. a boat cruise down the Intracoastal cruising past homes of the rich and famous. Then head out for a fabulous Italian meal. Hard to choose between Pizza al Fresco, Cafe Sapori, Trevini or Grato. Day 4. Spend the day at Morikami Gardens in Delray then stop in at Bao Foot Massage to complete the zen experience. Day 5. Get some culture in at the Norton Museum of Art then head into Palm Beach and stroll Worth Ave. Dinner at Renatos in the courtyard is a must. Day 6. Spend the day enjoying the fabulous local Gardens such as Mounts Botanical, Society of the Four Arts, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens and lastly Pan’s Gardens. Enjoy dinner in with takeout pizza from Zuccarelli’s…a must. Day 7. Snorkeling under the Blue Heron Bridge then head to Sailfish Marina at dusk for happy hour and fresh seafood.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would have to say I credit C. Madeleines. A great vintage shop in Bal Harbour that I dreamed and drooled over. A place that I aspired to be like. Unfortunately, they are no longer in business. I also want to give credit to my staff, Lily and Micheale who have been extremely supportive and truly care about my business. An extra shoutout to my daughter Lily, who built the website and runs all social media.

Website: www.fabandfunkyvintage.com
Instagram: @DinaCFabandFunky
Facebook: DinaCs.fabandfunkyboutique
Yelp: Dina C’s Fab & Funky Consignment Boutique