Gem Finders Podcast

Are you wondering about starting a podcast for your business? In this candid reflection, we break down the emotional and technical challenges of launching a podcast while running a vintage reselling business. From underestimated editing time and podcast burnout to finding a niche audience and struggling to stay creative, we explore what we’ve learned from our first 12 episodes, what we’d do differently, and the podcast challenges we’ve faced. Whether you’re thinking about starting a podcast or already in the thick of it, this episode offers a real look at the highs and lows no one prepares you for.

In Episode 12 of the Gem Finders Podcast, Amber and Shaun open up about their experience building a vintage reselling business almost entirely through Instagram. From humble beginnings using DMs and selling on Instagram without a website to generating steady income through live sales, they share exactly how Instagram became their most powerful selling tool—and why it also became one of their biggest sources of frustration. This conversation dives deep into the daily grind of instagram for resellers behind the curated posts, the constant battle with the algorithm, and the emotional toll of trying to stay visible in an oversaturated space.They also explore the pros and cons of Instagram’s many tools—Reels, Stories, carousel posts, and live selling—and offer candid advice for anyone considering Instagram as a main sales platform. With helpful insights on payment processing, building trust with customers, and avoiding burnout, this episode is a must-listen for vintage sellers, content creators, and anyone trying to make Instagram work for their small business.

Can marriage and business mix? Here’s our honest take as full-time partners in life and business. In this episode, we’re getting honest about what it’s really like to run a business with your partner. From navigating control issues and redefining roles to dealing with burnout, financial stress, and the constant overlap between personal and professional life—we’re sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Whether you’re already working with your spouse or just thinking about it, we’re diving deep into the realities that you can’t see on the surface. If you’ve ever wondered how to work with your spouse in business—or why working with your significant other can be both incredibly rewarding and intensely challenging—this episode is for you. We’ll talk about setting boundaries, finding balance, and what’s helped us keep growing as a team.

In Episode 10 of the Gem Finders Podcast, Amber and Shaun dive into the pros and cons of using Shopify for a reselling business. They share their honest experiences with the platform, highlighting both the benefits of Shopify—like an easy checkout process, inventory automation, and customer-friendly features—and the unexpected challenges. From navigating SEO issues to frustrations with the lack of customization, they break down the real disadvantages of Shopify for resellers. Whether you're already reselling products online or considering launching your own website, this episode offers practical insight into using Shopify for resellers and what to know before making the switch.Enjoy 3 months of Shopify  for $1 a month with our affiliate link: https://shopify.pxf.io/YRBLvr

In this lighthearted episode of the Gem Finders Podcast, Amber and Shaun open up about the little things that can sometimes cause big frustrations in antique stores - from impossible price stickers to over-stuffed booths, locked cases, and the dreaded “not for sale” tags. But make no mistake - they adore antique shops and owe their business to them. Whether you're an antique store owner, booth vendor, reseller, or casual vintage shopper, this episode dives into honest, constructive insights that aim to improve the antiquing experience for everyone. If you’re passionate about vintage and resale, or just curious about the inner workings of the secondhand world, this one’s for you.

After years of successful Instagram live sales, we’re stepping back. In this emotional episode, we unpack why we’re shifting our strategy, how burnout and algorithm changes played a role, and what’s next for Gem Finds Vintage. Discover what’s working, what’s not, and how we’re rebuilding our business to better align with our energy, community, and creative goals.We’ll still be actively pursuing selling on Instagram, but the current challenges to selling on Instagram live, as well as some emotional weight we've been carrying, have made it clear that it’s time to get creative, pivot with intention, and explore new ways to connect with our community and sustain our business.

In this episode of the Gem Finders Podcast, we’re diving deep into reseller inventory management to address one of the most frequently asked questions we get. Whether you're just getting started or looking to refine your workflow, we walk you through our entire inventory system for resellers, from sourcing and photographing to cleaning, listing, and shipping. You'll hear the pros and cons of our dual-platform approach, and our top tips for building an inventory management system that grows with your business. If you're wondering how to track sales and inventory as a reseller, this episode is a great place to start.We share real-life strategies for inventory tracking, including how we use Airtable (https://airtable.com), Shopify (enjoy 3 months for $1 a month with our affiliate link: https://shopify.pxf.io/YRBLvr), and Google Sheets to manage hundreds of unique vintage items each month. Learn how we use these systems to document condition and pricing details, avoid overselling, and stay organized even when working out of a small space.Want to see our system in action? Check out our Patreon for a full walkthrough and customizable Airtable spreadsheet template: https://www.patreon.com/c/GemFinders

Why is thrifting so good? What keeps pulling us back to the antique stores again and again? In this episode, Amber and Shaun explore the psychology of thrifting, from the nostalgic joy of discovering forgotten treasures to the therapeutic, screen-free escape it provides. They also discuss how antiquing fosters creativity, connection to the past, and sustainable shopping habits. If you’re looking for reasons to thrift or an excuse to stop by an antique store, this episode will surely convince you!

In this episode, we’re covering how to find amazing items while antiquing. We share some of our best antique shopping tips to help you spot hidden gems, navigate antique stores efficiently, and make the most out of your time when antiquing. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting out, we’ll walk you through how to develop a strategy for uncovering eye-catching vintage finds. Plus, we dive into the importance of trusting your instincts, knowing when to pass on an item, and how to optimize your antiquing experience.

In this episode, we break down how to price vintage items for resale, covering the general formula we start with and the key factors that influence our pricing decisions. Whether you're a customer curious about how we set our prices or a reseller looking for guidance on pricing your own finds, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of the process and what goes into determining value.