Diana Marsh is the owner of Thistle and Bess, an Ann Arbor antique shop, and mother to two year old Roman.
Marsh has always had a longtime dream of opening up her own shop. Early on, she would scour trade shows and fairs looking for pieces to sell on her online Etsy shop. She received her degree in education from the University of Michigan and was an elementary school science teacher for 11 years in Brooklyn, New York.
When visiting her hometown of Ann Arbor, Marsh stumbled upon a storefront in Kerrytown that was for sale. She couldn’t pass up the opportunity and packed her bags to move back home and follow her dream. Her transition from teacher to business owner was a quick one, opening the store as soon as school let out for the summer.
“I packed up and moved back to Michigan and opened the store two weeks later,” she said. The support from her family here in Michigan helped ease this transition.
Thistle and Bess sells specialty items, especially antique jewelry. The shop also sells a line of breathtaking original pieces designed by Marsh. Shoppers can find countless one of a kind items that are curated to “inspire, uplift and delight them”. These items include everything from home goods to candles to stationary. Thistle and Bess has also been used as an event space.
Everyday as a business owner is different for Marsh.
“Some days I get to do really fun things like put up a new shop window and be purely creative,” she said.
Marsh is also able to express her creative side through her newsletter “Behind the Counter”. She describes it as “giving a larger glimpse into what goes on and inspires us here at the shop”. The relationship and feeling of community is important to Marsh, “I’ve seen kids grow up and I’ve gotten to know people well…I really value those connections with the people I work with”.
Marsh said the best thing about being a mom to her two year old son is watching him grow and change. “Seeing him develop into his own little person is really just incredibly rewarding and fun to watch,” she said.
Her advice for parent entrepreneurs is carving out little moments of peace just for yourself.
“Being a parent and a business owner, you can burn out really easily and really quickly so just those little tiny daily practices of self care are very important,” she said.
She talks about treasuring her walks to and from the shop and quiet morning coffee. “It’s like that saying that you have to put your oxygen mask on before assisting others,” she said.
Getting to know Diana Marsh:
Tell us about your family!
I have a husband Matt and an almost three year old named Roman.
Where did you go to school?
I got an education degree from the University of Michigan.
Do you have any hobbies?
When the weather is nicer I like to spend time in my garden.
What is your dream vacation?
I would like to go to the Greek Islands and have a nice relaxing vacation.
Do you prefer books or movies?
It’s a mix but right now I’d say movies.
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