Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Pigorini.
Brittany, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After ten years working in event production and marketing in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, I moved to Austin and was planning my own wedding. I couldn’t locate any furniture rentals that matched my own aesthetic, so I decided to use my own vintage pieces I’ve collected since childhood.
I realized that surely there were other brides and event planners with a modern aesthetic that appreciated a one-of-a-kind look, so I quickly founded Birch & Brass, and we opened one month after my wedding.
We’ve grown faster than I ever could’ve imagined, and I’m so very grateful to each and every client that trusts us with their events. We quickly started servicing areas outside of Austin, so we now serve all of Texas with our rentals.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Opening a business never comes without its struggles. Not only was I working full-time in the office during the day, often lifting heavy furniture to move it into the warehouse or photograph it for our website, but I was also doing early-morning and late-night deliveries. My work weeks were typically 80-100 hours and it was certainly exhausting.
It’s common to compare yourself in the beginning to other companies that are more established. I recall looking at the social media accounts of other specialty event rental companies throughout the US and going down the slippery slope of judging myself for not being as successful as they were. I soon learned to keep my focus on my own business & to never compare my beginning to someone else’s middle.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Birch & Brass Vintage Rentals is a specialty rental company that focuses on rentals for weddings, social gatherings, and corporate events. We have a unique mix of rentals that have been sourced worldwide throughout our travels, so our collection features many global pieces.
I wanted to open a company that was down-to-earth and approachable. We’ve tried to simplify the rental process as best as we know how, and I can honestly say that my staff provides the best customer service possible. It’s incredible what happens when you respond to someone’s call or email quickly, or how much our delivery crew’s friendly smiles make the setup on-site run that much smoother.
I’m always striving to make improvements to our company, whether it’s adding a more diverse offerings of rentals or sourcing specific pieces a client cannot find elsewhere. Because many of our clients are planning from afar, we can easily cater to our out-of-town clients through the creation of mood boards and custom lounges to help them visualize our designs. My goal is to make what can be a somewhat stressful process (picking furniture from a website), an easy and enjoyable one!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always very curious, opinionated, and very much a perfectionist. I would spend a great deal of time re-organizing and re-decorating my bedroom. I loved to rearrange everything to make it feel new again, even if I was only moving the same furniture into a different layout. I’m probably the only eight years old whom asked for an antique dresser and bookcase for their birthday.
I grew up with watching my father run his own business, and I began working for him at age 13. I learned about customer service, management, processes, and problem-solving, all of which has been extremely useful to me so many years later. I always knew that I had an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, but I wasn’t sure where it would take me.
I suppose my career path shouldn’t have been a shocker: it combines my love of design and furniture with my passion for business.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10516 Manchaca Rd. Suite 210, Austin, TX 78748
- Website: www.birchandbrass.com
- Phone: 512-596-2922
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @birchandbrassrentals
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/birchandbrass
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/birch-and-brass-vintage-rentals-austin
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/birchandbrass/
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