Meet Helena Dale | Owner

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

Hi Helena, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think that my business model is a big part of my success, it’s very different than most. I’m only open once a month, it’s in a barn and my inventory is very unique. I work really hard in between my sales scouring the countryside to bring cool pieces back to the barn. My goal is to always give my customers a unique and fun shopping experience each time they visit my barn.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I never intended on my business becoming a business. When I had my first barn sale, it was just due from my collection of things I brought home from work. But after the first year of holding 4 sales at home in my barn, I then decided that I wanted more. That is when I moved to my current location and began holding sales once a month. I’ve since added antique markets twice a year, where I bring in a 100 extra vendors to join me for the weekend. I guess the most important thing I’ve learned in business, is that everything doesn’t have to be perfect to be successful. There are a lot of things about my business, that some would think “there is no way I would do it”. It’s dirty…I’m always working with old, dusty, greasy stuff. It’s hard…I’m always moving and lifting heavy stuff. It’s not always fun…I’m working in the rain, heat, cold, snow etc and it’s not always convenient…no central heat or air in the barn. But I truly love what I do and in the end it’s worth it all. I don’t have the perfect set up, but it works for me. So in my eyes…that equals success.

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.
My girls trip would be to explore small businesses in our area. I’m a big supporter of shopping small. My days would consist of family owned businesses that stretch from the mountains to the beach. Georgia is a beautiful state and we have the best of both worlds.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is a little story behind my business….as it was accidentally discovered. My family has always been in the scrap metal business, which is where I developed my love of all things old, rusty, junky and vintage. My dad taught me a lot about business….loyalty, hard working and the true meaning behind “every man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. I filled my barn with a huge collection of all the rusty treasures. And in March of 2013 I opened the barn doors for my very first barn sale. I never imagined I would be where I am today. Although my business may have started with my father’s inspiration, it continues and thrives with my husband. All of his hard work is behind the scenes and the list is a mile long for everything he does for me. He’s the driver of the truck and trailer on all of my Junkin trips, hops on a tractor when my parking lot needs a little attention and is always bringing the good junk to the barn.

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