INTERVIEW WITH TROVE MARKET

I love that rush you get when on the hunt for just the right furniture item or decor piece – searching through used and vintage pieces is even more of a thrill. That’s because I know I am gonna get a good deal and with a wave of my magic D.I.Y. wand I get a truly custom look.

Now while you can make a purchase of said finds at a discount you pay the price of having to drive around from thrift shop to consignment store to antique boutique and around again. It’s an exhausting process. So what if I could do a search for secondhand treasure for sale in my local area without having to leave my home? Well, with the Trove App that is exactly how things work. Have we peeked your interest? Let’s learn more about this novel, millennial shopping experience from co-founder of Trove Market, Mason Richman.

Trove Market, a place to buy and sell used furniture, décor, and other items in your local area.

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Q&A : Mason Richman, Co-Founder

Treasure hunting online? Yep, there's an app for that!

Q: What was going in your life when you decided to take on this online retail start-up Trove Market?

A: Prior to starting Trove, I spent several years in corporate, working for Wells Fargo Bank. The corporate life had some amazing perks, but I’d always intended to venture out and start a company of my own. In 2014, I was introduced to my co-founder and our CEO, Xing Wang. He was frustrated by how difficult it was to find quality secondhand, vintage, and antique home décor locally, and had the idea for starting a mobile-first marketplace to make it safe and easy to find this stuff in your local area.

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Q: How would you explain Trove Market to a newcomer?

A: Trove Market is a place for you to buy and sell used furniture, décor, and other items in your local area. Think of it as a better, more focused alternative to Craigslist or apps where people sell everything under the sun – like kids’ shoes or cosmetics. We like to keep it focused on home goods. You can do everything from chatting about the sale, to making an offer, setting a time to meet, and paying for the item, without ever leaving the app. Of course, we also have a website to support our app. This way, everyone’s able to participate in the community in the way that’s most convenient for you.

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Q: What is your vision for how this online shopping experience for vintage and previously owned pieces will benefit the way a consumer traditional shops for thrift in stores?

A: We aim to make it super easy to find great stuff nearby, so you can find what you’re looking for in your nearby community – whether it be for sale at a local boutique, or by a neighbor. When you browse Trove, you get a snapshot of everything selling around you, which means you won’t miss out on a great deal simply because you didn’t know it existed! Just browse, communicate with the seller, and meet up in a safe place to see the item and buy it! Conversely, we want sellers to find great buyers nearby, and sell items fast!

Search your local city in minutes

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Q: What is the coolest piece you have seen for sale on your site?

A: It’s really hard to pick one specific thing that I’d call the coolest! We see so many unique pieces for sale, and I’m generally wowed by the variety of things that make me smile. But, I’ll be a good sport and give you an answer. I really love this “Rustic Texas” reclaimed wood wall hanging from Bear Wood Co., and I really love most everything I see from the teams at OC Recycled Furniture, The Local Flea, and Carousel Consignment.

BEAR WOOD CO., "Rustic Texas" $145

CAROUSEL CONSIGMENT, Globe - $103

THE LOCAL FLEA, Vintage Oak Desk Chair - $35

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Q: What is the best DIY transformation of a piece sold on Trove Market that you have seen placed in someone’s home?

A: We don’t get many opportunities to see pieces once they’re in the new owner’s home, but I do have a great opportunity to meet miracle workers in the industry. Two of my favorite furniture restoration gurus are Dirty Girls Restoration in Ohio and Redo Renew in San Francisco.

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Q: We are mad about your blog Marché Mag –  so jammed packed full of really useful info on all things interiors and home décor, a true design resource. What has been the most popular subject or resources you have shared to date?

A: We’ve had several very popular articles on Marché Mag, but two that really stand out as winners are our list of 2016’s Top 90 Design Blogs, and our Guide to Reclaimed Wood. These received a lot of fanfare and have been shared the most. Readers can also find lists like the top vintage stores in NYC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other fun stories.

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Q: How would you describe your own personal interior design style?

A: My own interior design style is non-existent! I rely on the folks around me to give me a hand in that department. However, I’d love to highlight Xing’s style. His apartments in San Francisco, Seattle, and China have been featured by Apartment Therapy and Desire to Inspire!
 
When people ask, I like to refer to Xing as an encyclopedia of information about vintage furniture. He’s got a catalog of information in his mind, and has an amazing ability to estimate the price and salability of used furniture. With this gift, he’s been able to score a great mix of vintage and kitschy décor for his cozy abodes.

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Q: Do you have a social media crush and/or favorite blog?

A: Well, YouthfulNest, of course!! We’re forever grateful for the partnership we’ve built over the last year. With our Rock of Ages kids’ room giveaway, the excitement we’ve shared about upcoming design activities and growth of our businesses, and the various mood boards and projects you’re putting on, you are most definitely our biggest crush. *Swoon*

SHOP THIS LOOK>>> Rock-A-Bye Bebé

SHOP THIS LOOK>>> Rock & Roll-ing Stones

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Q: How are the communities responding to this way of selling and shopping specifically for vintage pieces online in their area?

A: We see communities getting really excited about Trove because we are the only marketplace to focus on helping you find great home furnishings and décor locally. Whether that means you find yourself a gently used sofa from Room & Board, or a set of rustic steer antlers from the heart of Texas, our users find joy in browsing and finding great stuff.
 
We’ve heard from designers who love being able to source items quickly for their clients, and the local boutiques and shops we work with appreciate our focus on driving foot traffic into their stores. As Trove continues to grow nationwide, users in more and more cities are using Trove to buy and sell from one another.

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Q: What's next for Trove Market?

A: We’ve got a fun year ahead! Our marketplace continues to grow – we see great stuff added everyday – and we will surely be busy helping our community members buy and sell their amazing wares. Anyone who’s got questions or feedback about getting started with Trove can email us at support@usetrove.com.

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More Inspiration From Trove Market
Blog : @marchémag
Pinterest : @trovemarket
Instagram : @trovemarket
Twitter : @trovemarket
Facebook : @trovemarket
Houzz : @trovemarket