Her Story
About Charity
Charity Bennett specializes in CC Collectibles retail and resale, focusing on antiques, mid-century modern pieces from the early 1900s through the 1980s, as well as retro clothing and jewelry. She has been engaged in this work for about 10 years, initially on a part-time basis while serving as a director at a non-profit health insurance company for 17 years, including time on the board of directors. Following a layoff in November, she now operates her business full-time, drawing on a family tradition of refurbishing furniture that began with her mother. Bennett attributes her success entirely to her family and husband, who supports her by managing inventory and encourages her resourceful approach of finding new opportunities when one door closes. She values treating others as she would want to be treated, maintaining strong customer service that builds loyal repeat clients, and she advises young women entering the field to never let anything hold them back and to keep moving forward. Bennett also notes challenges such as occasional misogyny in the industry but responds by not taking it personally and striving to improve others' days through positive interactions.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Charity
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success completely to my family and my husband. He's been such a big supporter. He deals with all my inventory in the house and garage. He's the most patient husband. He tells me I've never seen a hustler in my life as you are. If one door closes, you find another open one or a window if you can. I figure something out. I've always loved it.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't let anything hold you back. Ever. Just keep moving forward. If you slow down, that's when it'll catch up to you. Don't ever slow down, just keep moving forward. If one door closes, find a window.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There's obviously some misogynists out there still. I just had a man the other day try to mansplain the post office to me. You just have to take it with a grain of salt, not take it personally, and just keep moving forward. Not be like that's your problem, block them and keep moving forward. When you get the grumpy people, I always say good morning, okay, let's start over. And I try to get their day better.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I always treat others the way that I would want to be treated. That's my number one thing. I'm very customer service oriented. That's how I keep my customer base. I have very loyal customers that keep coming back over and over. If you're nice to me, boy, I will be really nice to you. I will make sure that I treat you well and I give you good discounts, and I make sure that if you want something, I will look for it for you, I will find things for you.
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