Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Freels Dubbert.
Rachael Freels, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It’s safe to say I’m an artist at heart! I have a multidisciplinary background in fine art painting, architectural historic preservation and interior design. Through the years, I’ve found that these three loves, though seemingly disparate, are actually pretty interconnected: they all work to unearth a hidden narrative, to develop rich meaning and relevance, and to appeal to the intrinsic appetite we all have for connection.
That said, I’ve always had a deep affection for all things historic and aesthetic. I’ve always been captivated by anything that has a story to tell and a bit of mystery. Through decades of painting, I’ve learned the value of creating opportunities for one’s audience to excavate significance. Though I’m an artist, I don’t make “art”. Instead, I believe “art” happens when a viewer experiences a work– their own seeking and finding is where the real magic happens! Preservation and design follow a similar concept of creating and honoring this human experience, as preservation aims to preserve a story, and design aims to actualize one. In all of these encounters, time is collapsed, and the experiencer connects with something greater.
My theories have brought me to where I am today as the founder and owner of Revival Studio Co. At one point, I solely painted, and at another, I focused on preservation, but both concentrations left me feeling unfulfilled. Now, my emphasis is on collecting and dealing antiques. I thrive on telling stories through both.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve learned that if you’re brave enough to venture into entrepreneurialism, then you have to be courageous enough to accept the challenges that come with it. We’re in such fast-paced times, where most people think they prefer new, immediate and useful over sustainable, enduring and soulful. Thus, my chief obstacle: I have to find a way to express the redeeming value of heirlooms.
We all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and that’s a truth that’s constant. Antiques enable us to weave our lives into others’, to share in common joys, curiosities and experiences.
Sure, some antiques have lost their original function in the face of modern innovation and lifestyle, but it’s my job to reframe their possibilities and highlight the extraordinary craftsmen and makers who produced them. While certain platforms are designed for vintage shopping, the wider marketplace sometimes struggles to appreciate its wonder.
Being a younger antiques dealer, I have social media on my side, and I work to utilize the global relationships and storytelling that it affords. Social media is far trickier than one might think, but I choose to see it as an ever-changing tool for the modern enthusiasm of online shopping.
Please tell us about Revival Studio Co.
To the vintage fanatic, the sustainability ally, the art collector and the treasure hunter: Revival Studio Co. is for you. We’re a working artist’s studio and online shop, making antiques relevant again, and proudly bringing to light the forgotten stories they bear. Not only do we offer a curated selection of home and lifestyle merchandise, but we display styling tips and offer expertise in incorporating vintage and handmade goods into your day to day living.
Though I started Revival Studio Co., it has grown into a team effort with my gracious and supporting husband, Stephen. Together, we procure our inventory of vintage and antique finds. I do in-depth research on each item so that every listing tells the fullness of its history. We believe that everything and everyone has a story that matters, and we hope our shop inspires you to discover and tell yours.
We’re proud to have recently opened a very special addition to Revival: Revival Fine Jewelry is a modern woman’s go-to resource for heirloom fine jewels. Backed by a decade of experience in buying and selling vintage, antique and estate fine jewelry, we also have sourcing services available for those who are on the lookout for something specific. We love being a small part of how revival unfolds in the love stories of our customers!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
In this business journey, there isn’t much I would do differently because all of our decisions land us where we need to be and teach us along the way. Perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned to really press into my purpose of evincing implicit worth through storytelling. Mission matters, and staying attuned to my mission keeps me focused and excited about what I do.
Something I feel I constantly have to learn is work-life balance. When you’re starting a business and choosing to wear all the hats that small business requires, it’s easy to get caught up in all the myriad tasks that must be done. Yet, it’s the family and friends that encourage you, engage you, and invest in your wildest dreams that matter the most. We all have to learn when to be done for the day, when to give our time to the people that ‘make it happen’ behind the scenes, and how to prioritize our relationships over our products.
Similarly, I’ve learned the immense importance of supporting friends and colleagues who are also in small business. I know the untold hours that go into getting a business off the ground, I know what it’s like to rely on word of mouth and to desire reassurance and excitement. I’ve learned to champion others’ ambitions and to do my part to encourage community over competition.
Pricing:
- Vintage home decor as low as $10
- Antique engagement rings starting under $500
- Antique jewelry sourcing service starting at $30/month
- Original contemporary paintings as low as $150
- Handcrafted home wares starting at $16
Contact Info:
- Website: revivalstudioco.com & revivalfinejewelry.com
- Phone: (682) 231-0450
- Email: rachael@revivalstudioco.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/revivalstudioco & instagram.com/revivalrings
- Facebook: facebook.com/revivalstudioco & facebook.com/revivalfinejewelry
- Other: revivalstudioco.etsy.com & revivalfinejewelry.etsy.com
Image Credit:
All photographs credited to Rachael & Stephen Dubbert; © Rachael Freels Dubbert LLC
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