Meet Laura Schwartzenberger | Owner & Curator of Ironside Vintage & Other Delights

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

Hi Laura, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I worked in small business retail for almost 16 years. This gave me the opportunity to learn a lot of what is expected of a small business owner. I always dreamed of owning my own company so in February of 2020 after having our second child, I began Ironside Vintage as a side gig. Just one month later when the pandemic hit, it changed my career path from General Manager of a musical instrument company in Metro Detroit to a stay-at-home-mom running her own vintage resale company.

I knew I needed to make it happen for myself and our family so I dove headfirst and began collaborating with other small businesses across the country. I opened an online retail store called Ironside Vintage & Other Delights or IV & OD (ivy and odd) for short. I now offer curated vintage home goods and handmade products from other small business owners who make jewelry, art, stickers, enamel pins, handmade frames, fiber art and more.

I believe in shopping second hand and handmade first, especially when the handmade products are sustainable. Many of the shop owners who carry their products in the online shop use sustainable products to bring their visions to life, including Laetitia of LMNT Art & Jewelry, Julie from Fate & Coincidence and my dad, Todd Miller of Star Gazers who builds handmade picture frames from reclaimed Michigan barn wood.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always enjoyed working with others. Whether that was in a musical setting, collaborating on a project or joining forces with other small businesses for an event.

When Ironside Vintage began I knew I wanted it to be something fun, exciting and a way to support other small businesses.

Over the last two years I’ve worked with more than a dozen small business owners and have brought their beautiful handmade products and art to the online store. I’m excited to see how I can expand my online shop to bring more small businesses to the IV & OD community in the years to come.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m from Waterford, MI which is a beautiful and underappreciated city in Metro Detroit. Waterford is home to over 30 lakes which means we like to have fun and know how to do it. If you aren’t on a boat, kayaking or riding trails at the local metro parks, you’re probably spending your time at the Oakland County Farmers market, antique shopping, grabbing a bite to eat or staying warm around your own bon fire.

Some of my favorite restaurants in Waterford & neighboring city, Clarkston, MI are:
Kennedy’s Irish pub
LA Cafe
Honcho Latin Street Food & Coffee

Favorite Parks:
Drayton Plains Nature Center & Hatchery
Indian Springs Metro Park
Independence Oaks County Park
Hess-Hathaway Park

Favorite Antique/Vintage/Consignment Stores:
On The Hunt Antiques
Hailey James Exchange Consignment & Boutiques
Yenna’s Apothecary
Digs Consignment
Dixie Land Flea Market

Favorite Musical Instrument Shops:
Detroit Violin Co.
McCourt’s Music
Motor City Guitar

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I couldn’t do this without the love and support of my family, friends and Instagram community. It has been a complete joy starting my own company and their day-in and day-out support means more than they know. I may be the main person running the show, but my support system brings the company to life. On Instagram we always say, ‘”Community over Competition” and I believe that mindset has allowed so many of us to work together with optimism bringing growth and success to so many.

Website: IVandOD.com

Instagram: @ironside_delights