Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Korb.
Diane, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been drawn to china, glassware, and silverware, gradually building my collection over the years by picking up unique pieces from resale shops, estate sales, and local marketplaces. What I loved most was buying directly from previous owners and hearing the stories behind each piece.
In 2019, as the pandemic shifted everything online, I discovered a vast secondary market I had previously overlooked. I’ll admit—I got a little carried away. Our cupboards were already full, and when yet another box arrived, my wife asked why I kept buying more dishes. Half-jokingly, I told her I planned to start a vintage tableware rental business when I retired. I had thought about it before, but saying it out loud made it feel real.
Her response changed everything: “Why not start now?” So I did.
I launched The Vintage Dish as a side hustle and, to my surprise, quickly booked my first wedding clients. Over the next few years, while still working full-time, I developed every aspect of the business—from sourcing inventory to managing bookings, fulfillment, and care of each piece.
Last month I retired from my full time profession and am now a solopreneur devoted to The Vintage Dish.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My main challenges have been storage, product acquisition, and minimizing the use of disposable plastics.
As a home-based business, my storage footprint is finite, so I’ve had to be intentional about maximizing every inch of available space. Maintaining an accurate, up-to-date inventory is still a work in progress as the collection continues to grow.
When I started The Vintage Dish, I had a strong concept but no formal business plan. In hindsight, defining a clearer vision earlier on would have helped guide my initial product acquisition strategy. Over time, I’ve refined my inventory—retiring pieces that were seldom used and implementing a more focused, demand-driven approach to acquiring new items.
Sustainability is central to my business, and disposables run counter to that philosophy. I’ve worked to develop processes that prioritize reusable, safe packing materials and reduce waste wherever possible. While I’ve made significant progress, there are still some instances where limited plastic use is necessary for sanitary purposes, and that remains an area I continue to improve.
We’ve been impressed with The Vintage Dish, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Vintage Dish is a specialty tableware rental business that celebrates the beauty of mismatched china, glassware, and silverware. Approximately half of my work is centered on weddings, with the remainder supporting baby and bridal showers, tea parties, birthdays, holiday gatherings, and fundraising events.
At the heart of The Vintage Dish are the stories carried within each piece. These well-loved items are given new life, where past and present intersect—blending the quiet history of each setting with the joy of today’s celebrations.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
For events, I work directly with clients as well as their event planners. Inquiries can be made through my website or by reaching out via email, phone, or social media.
For collaborations—such as multi-branded styled photo shoots—I typically partner with the photographer, venue, or event planner leading the project. I especially enjoy these creative collaborations and am always interested in expanding into photo shoots that incorporate food and beverage styling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thevintagedish.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevintagedishrental/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevintagedishrental/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-vintage-dish/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-vintage-dish-montgomery
Image Credits
Laura Pulliam Photography
