Meet Zan Walker | Small Business Owner & Furniture Painting Artist

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

Hi Zan, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success is taking chances. How will you know if something will work or not without taking a chance? You will remain right where you are at right now. Your comfort zone can hinder you. Take the chance! Yes, that is a scary thing and things could get worse than if you just stay right where you are at now. But, what IF you push through that fear and you find a whole new level of success? I had to push through that fear and take chances in all aspects of my business. I had to change locations 3 times before I found my perfect fit in Railroad Square Art District. I have taken chances on crew members with less experience, but with an awesome personality and zest for life. My gut screamed, “Take a chance on them!” That paid off. Neutral colors of furniture sold, but I wanted to paint funky, bright and colorful furniture. I did it, and that sold even better than the neutral colors. I started out with furniture and home decor. Then took a chance on clothing, vintage vinyl records and even a paint line to encourage others to paint their furniture. What I imagined in the beginning of my business has changed many, many times. Each time I took a chance on something new, something “out there” and pushed the envelope, it has worked in my favor. Yes, there have been some things that didn’t work out. By taking a chance on something, you learn what works and what doesn’t. You begin to sense that anything is possible. Take a chance and find out! You learn that what doesn’t work out is just as important as what does work. You find that out by taking the chance and knowing that to move forward you must constantly take chances.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The thing I am most proud of as owner of The Other Side Vintage is our crew. I continually seek out unique and zestful people to work with – whether that be our crew, or our booth vendors we invite in to be a part of the business. There is never a boring day at work when you choose fun and creative people to be around. My sister Brooklyn works for the business and even if she wasn’t my sister, I would choose her based upon her creativity and her ability to make me laugh every day. I am super happy to be able to finesse the schedule so that any crew member that needs off for a family event, concert out of town, or just to take a mental day off can do so without worrying. I respect their lives outside of work. I am grateful for them. Not in that corny way many people think. I TRULY AM grateful for their time and talents in my business. I love for them to be successful in their own art and endeavors.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Tallahassee is my hometown. I am proud of Tallahassee and would love to show it off. If my best friend was visiting, I would make sure that they checked out some of my favorite haunts and hang outs. Lichgate at High Road is one of my favorite quiet places, as is Maclay Gardens, and Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park. Railroad Square Art District is like my second home. My business is located there and some of my favorite people are there too. Stop by on a First Friday Gallery Hop and you have to meet Pete at the Crum Box Gastgarden and partake of Pete’s homemade sausage creations. The official Mayor of RRSQ is Allen Thompson and his museum quality wood restorations are amazing. He is a Tallahassee icon to me. Then there is Bike Mike Goldstein of Capital City Pedicabs. If you are in Tallahassee, you must get a pedicab ride from Mike. I would also venture over to the West side of Tallahassee to my beloved San Luis Park & Trails, which includes Lake Esther. Down the street is locally owned Woodchuck’s Cafe. Then we head over to Mission San Luis. I love the entire grounds there. Afterwards, we have to visit what locals still call “The Junior Museum”. Officially it is the Tallahassee Museum. The lake there and historic buildings along with visiting animals is a must see. 

There is the obligatory visit to the 22nd floor of the Capitol of Florida. The place that sustains me more than anything for a great respite from work is a short 20 miles down to the coast and visit the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge & Lighthouse. There isn’t food available there, but down the way, is the St. Marks RiverFront Cafe right on the water. Of course, I would visit the San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park Fort while there too. Tallahassee in home to FAMU & FSU universities with wonderful football stadiums, lawns and historic buildings.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dr. Charles Madsen, Jr has been a mentor to me. He allows me to ask questions and push through obstacles that are self-imposed. He reminds me during difficult times, to look back and see how far I have come. To know that it is okay to say NO! I don’t have to commit to mindless hours of meetings, say yes to things that I truly don’t want to do, or do anything just because society expects it of me. I’m allowed to be my own person, flaws and all. Taking that pressure off myself has been a life changer.

Website: www.TheOtherSideVintage.com

Instagram: @TheOtherSideVintage

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TheOtherSideVintage

Youtube: www.YouTube.com/TheOtherSideVintage

Image Credits
Zan Walker