Raleigh Shop Owner on Biggest Regret & Building Union Camp Collective | Business of Home

Raleigh Shop Owner Reflects on a Decade in Business, Biggest Regret: Not Investing More

Charlotte Smith, owner of Union Camp Collective in Raleigh, North Carolina, is entering a new phase of her business, one marked by reflection on lessons learned over the past decade. In a recent interview with Business of Home, Smith candidly discussed the winding path that led her to open her showroom, the challenges of building a brand, and a surprising realization: she often wishes she’d spent more money.

Smith’s journey began with a diverse set of experiences, including stints selling wedding dresses at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City, working for Elisa Goodkind of StyleLikeU, and even a period with the Kushner family. Despite her time in New York, she found herself drawn back to her hometown and the creative energy of her parents’ vintage and antiques shop. “I moved back [to Raleigh in 2012] because I was not sure what I wanted to do,” she explained. “And I found that the successes I had with my mom—and watching my mom work and be in a creative flow state over long periods of time—was more rewarding than almost all of the professional experiences I’d had in New York.”

The genesis of Union Camp Collective was, in part, serendipitous. Smith stumbled upon a large, old auto garage for rent and, despite not having a fully formed plan, felt compelled to secure the space. “I immediately thought, ‘I’m going to get that building and figure it out,’” she recalled. “It was the most delusional thing I’ve ever done.” The initial years were a period of experimentation, with the aesthetic evolving from “cheap and cheerful” to a more refined and “bossier” style.

Sourcing inventory has been a key component of Smith’s business. Early on, she would travel extensively throughout the Northeast, visiting family and scouring thrift stores, antique shops, and consignment stores. “I come by [design] honestly,” Smith said, noting her parents’ lifelong passion for collecting. “My dad is a collector; my mom is a collector and an artist.” More recently, with the arrival of a child, she’s relied more on auctions, acknowledging the changing demands on her time.

Smith describes her customer as “sustainably minded, maybe a little weird, with a great sense of humor.” She also notes a common thread of worldliness, whether through actual travel or a cultivated sense of global awareness. “A lot of the game of selling vintage and antiques is a game of nostalgia,” she explained, “and I think that is more appreciated by people who have been out in the world.” Her clientele is diverse, spanning age groups and including both individual shoppers and interior designers, though she noted the majority are women.

Currently, Union Camp Collective is primarily open to the public on Saturdays, with a significant portion of sales occurring through direct messages on Instagram. This arrangement evolved out of necessity during a period of transition when Smith needed to quickly clear out inventory after moving locations. She acknowledges the need to expand her online presence, stating that relying solely on local customers isn’t sustainable for long-term growth.

Currently, English pine and scorched bamboo are proving popular with customers, reflecting a broader desire for warmth and charm in home furnishings. “I feel like people are yearning for warmth and charm and feeling,” Smith observed, drawing a parallel to the aesthetic often seen in Nancy Meyers films.

Looking back, Smith identified a recurring regret: not investing more aggressively in her business when opportunities arose. “You can always make money back,” she said. “I have had some really sad lessons when I was too cheap to buy stuff…some of that is inventory I will never see again.” She also learned the importance of avoiding customers who attempt to exploit a willingness to offer discounts, as they can ultimately devalue the brand and create a negative dynamic.

Smith’s future aspirations include expanding her sourcing trips internationally and establishing a distinct aesthetic identity for Union Camp Collective. “I would love to be the one person sourcing all these incredible things that bring people so much joy,” she said. While acknowledging the financial challenges of balancing business goals with family life – “Daycare is so expensive. Freedom is expensive” – she remains optimistic about the future, and is currently experimenting with adding Fridays to her open hours, in addition to Saturdays.

For Smith, the most rewarding days are now Fridays, offering a chance to connect with designers who often have more flexibility at the end of the workweek. “I really like connecting with people,” she concluded.