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

Hi Jess, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Minimalism has never been my strong suit so I will pick two! One guiding quote for my business and one for life in general.

1. “Nothing comes cheap, though the educated eye will always spot very nice things for the least money.” – Albert Hadley. This sentiment could not be more spot-on in terms of my business, Thrills of the Hunt. With vintage and antique sourcing, luck is a huge part of the puzzle but to truly set yourself up for success you have to take the time to research items, learn about specific brands, makers, and periods, and familiarize yourself with comparables to spot scores in the wild.

2. “Go to faraway places, come home to live by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful.” This quote is from one of my favorite childhood books, Miss Rumphius, and has all my major life aspirations wrapped up in one sentence with a bow.

What should our readers know about your business?
Thrills of the Hunt is a vintage home decor business that curates estate sale, vintage, and antique pieces. I work with private clients to source home decor, art, and furniture and sell curated small-scale finds at www.thrillsofthehunt.com.

I’ve always been a treasure hunter! Over the past few years, I’ve found myself using any spare moment to hunt in person at flea markets, estate sales, shop at antique stores, or dive down rabbit holes on the internet and apps to search for treasures for myself and others. I am a big believer in the art of slow decorating and advocate for magic that occurs when a home is filled to the brim with one-of-a-kind storied objects, curiosities, and furniture. I started Thrills of the Hunt at the end of 2020 for like-minded people who craved something beyond what big-box retailers could offer but didn’t know where to look, were intimated to get started, or simply didn’t have the bandwidth to hunt for pieces themselves. I can’t recall the exact moment when I realized that my passion and hobby could be a business, but now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

When it comes to curation, I only purchase pieces with the intention to resell them if they are something that I would either personally decorate my home with or items that I would proudly give as a gift to a friend. My thought process is that I have to personally want to keep every single item that I’m selling because otherwise, I don’t want my name attached to the inventory.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Start with an early morning walk at Percy Warner, followed by breakfast and coffee at Proper Bagel. Spend the morning at two of my favorite local spots, Gaslamp Antiques, and Gaslamp Too to go treasure hunting (make sure to wear comfy shoes and pack your tape measure)! Grab to-go lunch from Greenery Co., a new Nashville restaurant owned by two fellow Vanderbilt grads (always make sure to order their chocolate chip cookie), and find a sunny spot to eat outside. Head to Cheekwood to walk through the Botanical Gardens and see the art. Grab an early evening cocktail at Mother’s Ruin in Germantown, followed by dinner at City House. Head to Bobbie’s Dairy Dip for an ice cream nightcap!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without several important mentors and peers. My parents and husband have been wildly supportive over the last few years while encouraging me to take risks and pursue creative outlets and ideas. Working by yourself can feel very isolating at times so I am incredibly grateful for my Mom and friend Ella, who are both wonderful to bounce an idea off of or quick to answer a text seeking advice on a piece. Additionally, I was very fortunate to meet and foster relationships with so many talented creatives and savvy business owners, all the while gaining invaluable experience under Gen Sohr at Pencil and Paper Co. Creativity is contagious, and each person I have encountered through my business endeavors has impacted my career.

Website: https://www.thrillsofthehunt.com/

Instagram: @thrillsofthehunt

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