The Business of Antiques

Hosted by Toma Clark Haines

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113

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

I'm Toma Clark Haines, host of The Business of Antiques podcast. I'm on a mission to make antiques sexy, modern and fun... and PROFITABLE!

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60 recent

November 5, 202656 min

Rock the Heirloom: Amy Eld on Antiques, Partnerships & Vintage Style

In this episode of The Business of Antiques , host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, welcomes Amy Eld, founder of Rock the Heirloom, to talk about building a bold antiques and vintage homewares business with sustainability at its heart. Amy shares how her family’s antiques background and career in luxury retail shaped her approach, why styling and storytelling matter when selling antiques online, and how collaborations with like-minded brands can help a business grow. From her colorful, sustainably furnished Pimlico home to the realities of running a shop and keeping up with finances, this conversation offers inspiration for antique dealers, collectors, and design lovers looking to make old things feel fresh again. Check out the links from our episode. Amy: rocktheheirloom.co.uk | Instagram Toma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

October 29, 202653 min

From Antiques Roadshow to Film: Lost and Found in Cleveland

In this episode of The Business of Antiques , host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, welcomes filmmakers Marisa Guterman and Keith Gerchak, founders of Double G Films, to explore Lost and Found in Cleveland , their heartfelt ensemble film inspired by Antiques Roadshow and the world of antiques and collecting. From family heirlooms and estate-sale discoveries to the expertise behind antique appraisals, they reveal why the objects we treasure carry meaning far beyond their monetary value. Marisa and Keith share the decade-long journey of bringing the film to life, Cleveland’s rich landscape of historic homes and vintage finds, and personal stories of collections that preserve memories and inspire new beginnings. For antique dealers, collectors, and anyone drawn to the stories behind beautiful things, this conversation celebrates authenticity, provenance, self-discovery, and our role in preserving objects and their stories for future generations. Check out the links from our episode. Marisa and Keith: Double G Films | Lost & Found in Cleveland Toma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

October 22, 20261 hr 1 min

Making Interior Design Accessible: Mr. Call on Furniture, Antiques & Home

In this episode of The Business of Antiques , host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, welcomes interior designer John Call to discuss making interior design more accessible and helping consumers buy better furniture. John shares his five-point FS05 framework for evaluating a sofa—frame, fill, fabric, design and value—and explains how to look beyond appearance to assess quality. They also explore antiques, furniture sourcing and the cultural stories behind design, including John’s discoveries in Mexico City, Vietnam and Poland, as well as how travel, creativity and personal reinvention shape the way we make a home. Check out the links from our episode. Mr. Call: mrcalldesigns.com | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube Toma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

October 15, 20261 hr 1 min

The Business of Furniture Design: ISFD, High Point & the Pinnacle Awards

In this episode of The Business of Antiques , host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, welcomes David Blair, executive director of the International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD), to explore how furniture design, craftsmanship, and storytelling shape the value of antiques and contemporary home furnishings. From antique-inspired furniture and the hidden construction details that distinguish quality pieces to the Pinnacle Awards at High Point Market, they discuss what makes great design stand the test of time. David shares why designers must learn to communicate their work’s value and how AI can support business tasks without replacing hands-on creativity, while Toma offers insights into sourcing antiques beyond the obvious markets, trusting your eye, and understanding how branding and buyer relationships influence price. A thoughtful conversation for antique dealers, interior designers, and furniture makers looking to sharpen their expertise and build lasting value. Check out the links from our episode. David: isfd.org | LinkedIn Toma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

October 8, 20261 hr 6 min

Profitable Antique Sourcing: Relationships, Negotiation, and Shipping

In this episode of The Business of Antiques , host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, takes you behind the scenes of a 13-day antiques buying tour through France, Belgium, and Italy, revealing how strategic sourcing can help antique dealers and interior designers find distinctive inventory and improve profit margins. From the Paris flea market and lesser-known trade fairs to private warehouses and Parma’s Mercanteinfiera, Toma explains why vendor relationships, smart timing, and getting off the beaten path matter more than following the crowd. She shares negotiation insights, ways to reduce shipping costs, and the value of mixing periods and styles to create memorable interiors. Plus, hear the story of her €600 Coromandel screen find and why educating your eye and building a long-term buying strategy can make all the difference in your antiques business. Check out the links from our episode. Toma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

October 1, 20261 hr 8 min

Sell the Story, Not Just the Antique: Authentic Branding with Dawn Moore

In this episode of The Business of Antiques , host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, welcomes luxury marketing expert Dawn Moore of Moore About Marketing back for a candid conversation about building trust, strengthening your brand, and selling more antiques through authentic marketing. They explore how antique dealers can turn buying trips into long-term content strategies, use storytelling to sell the feeling behind an object, and translate deep expertise into approachable social media that engages rather than intimidates. Dawn shares practical ways to become more comfortable on camera, including interview-style videos, scripts, voiceovers, and B-roll. All while emphasizing why meaningful engagement matters more than likes. Toma and Dawn also discuss the competitive advantage no one can copy: your unique taste, point of view, and personality. Whether you’re refining your antiques business strategy, developing your personal brand, or looking for more effective content ideas, this episode offers actionable advice for showing up authentically, earning customer trust, and turning your passion for antiques into profit. Check out the links from our episode. Dawn: mooreabout.com | Instagram Toma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

September 24, 202658 min

Selling the Story: French Vintage, Authentic Branding & Retail Success with Benjamin of The French Store

In this episode of The Business of Antiques , host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, sits down with Benjamin, founder of The French Store in Dublin, Ohio, to explore how authentic storytelling, a bold personality and a sharp eye for French vintage can turn a retail concept into a memorable, profitable brand. Benjamin shares how he sources distinctive tableware, linens, perfume, body care and artisan-made goods across France; uses humor and social media to sell the story behind each product; prices vintage finds accessibly; and navigates the realities of shipping, tariffs and customs. Along the way, they discuss French versus American approaches to business, why small makers deserve a wider audience, the products worth bringing home from France and how curiosity, beauty and slowing down can shape both a better brand and a richer life. Check out the links from our episode. Benjamin: thefrenchstorecolumbus.com | Instagram | TikTok Toma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

September 17, 202657 min

The Business of PR: Brand Growth, Media Strategy & Reinvention with Andrew Joseph

In this episode of The Business of Antiques , host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, sits down with international design publicist Andrew Joseph of Andrew Joseph PR to explore how strategic public relations can help antique dealers, interior designers, and creative entrepreneurs grow their brands. Drawing on more than a decade of friendship and collaboration, they discuss why successful PR is a long-term partnership rather than a quick media grab, how authentic storytelling and industry relationships create lasting value, and why today’s changing media landscape demands a broader approach encompassing marketing, business development, and brand strategy. Andrew also shares lessons from building a global PR firm, the importance of reinvention, and how choosing the right clients, collaborators, and opportunities can turn visibility into sustainable business growth. Check out the links from our episode. Andrew: andrewjosephpr.com | Business Instagram | Personal Instagram Toma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

September 10, 20261 hr 1 min

Color, Content & Italian Design: How to Grow a Creative Brand

In this episode of The Business of Antiques , host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, sits down with Kate of Mad About the House to explore how consistent content, authentic storytelling, and thoughtful design can build a recognizable and profitable creative brand. Kate shares how her journalism career evolved into an influential interior design blog and Substack, why treating writing like a muscle helps overcome creative blocks, and how antique dealers can turn the objects around them into engaging content. They also discuss the psychology of color in homes and businesses, the relationship between our surroundings and mental well-being, and Kate’s immersive Italian design retreats in Turin, Milan, and Venice—offering practical inspiration for antique dealers, interior designers, and creative entrepreneurs who want to strengthen their brand, connect with their audience, and grow with confidence. Check out the links from our episode. Kate: madaboutthehouse.com | Substack | Instagram Toma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack

September 3, 20261 hr 5 min

Curating a Modern Antique Shop: Indio White’s Buying Strategy

In this episode of The Business of Antiques , host Toma Clark Haines, CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co, sits down with Jason and Tina Fisher of Indio White to explore their journey from world travelers and interior designers to antique-store owners in Columbia, Tennessee. They share how travel shaped their distinctive design aesthetic, how they curated and sourced French and European antiques for their new retail space, and why mood boards, buying budgets and a carefully planned inventory strategy were essential to filling their first container. Along the way, they discuss the realities of opening an antique shop, including shipping delays, cash flow, pricing, calculated risks and the unforgettable château doors that transformed their vision by offering practical inspiration for antique dealers, interior designers and creative entrepreneurs building a profitable, modern antiques business. Check out the links from our episode. Indio White: indiowhite.com | Instagram Toma: Instagram | antiquesdiva.com | Substack