26 Feb Black Owned Business Feature: Adorn Vintage Furniture

Learn more about Reina Smallwood and her business, Adorn Vintage Furniture in Baltimore.

What inspired you to start your own business?

Furniture and interior design has always been a huge part of who I am, something that I inherited from time spent with my mom. As my love for interior design grew, I knew that this was the thing that I had to share with the world. I needed to share the idea good design is attainable by all and dope furniture should be accessible for all.

How do you generate new ideas?

I’ve learned that my ideas come from lots of places but they often surround problem solving, they say that necessity is the mother of all creation.

If you could speak to your younger self, just starting out, what advice would you give her?

If I could speak to my younger self, I would tell her to follow her instincts and just do it!

What are your ideals?

One of my main ideals is being love and doing what you love for a reason that you love, I don’t think you can go wrong with that.

Have you experienced adversity and doubt? How did you handle it?

Adversity and doubt are definitely something that I have experienced, on many occasions. What I’ve learned is that if it scares you a little then it’s probably the correct next step and that when I have gone for the things that have scared me, I overcame the fear and learned that I am capable and that there was really nothing to fear. So as a result, I’m am far less likely to hesitate in the face of adversity.

How do you personally define business success? Is it money? Freedom? Influence? Creative expression and innovation? Something else?

I personally define business success as doing what you love and being able to live off of that thing. If you become rich awesome, but if you can be comfortable sharing your gift…you are winning!

What book should every business owner read?

Oh wow, the book that that I think business owners should read is the books that nourish their craft. There isn’t one book that has helped me but all of the books, giving inspiration in one way or another.

Black-owned businesses are at the heart of Baltimore’s business community. With tech giants like Google celebrating Black-owned businesses, have you experienced significant changes in your business growth?

With opening a business in the middle of a pandemic, I have definitely experienced significant changes in the growth of my business. I have had the honor of having unwavering support from the community as many have followed me from my previous business to this one. Many have shared my information, showed up and purchased with me. It’s an amazing thing to experience right now.

Do you want to be featured?

We will be featuring black women-owned creative businesses in Baltimore each friday.  Whether you are in fashion, photography, architecture, fine arts, film, music, or another creative field we want to feature your business. Learn more.