Show Notes
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen interviews McCall Harwell, founder of Nan Curated, a Birmingham-based monthly vintage pop-up. McCall shares how she transformed a barbershop into a boutique-like shopping experience with intentional design, curated fashion, and a welcoming atmosphere. With no prior retail experience, McCall relied on her background in hospitality marketing to build an event that feels more like a community gathering than a typical store visit. The conversation explores how she thoughtfully sources vintage clothing — primarily from estate sales and thrift spots across Alabama — and why she prioritizes in-person connections over online sales.
McCall also opens up about the vulnerability of building a brand rooted in personal taste, especially in the early days of Nan. She talks about learning to trust her instincts, how she handles unsolicited advice, and the discipline of saying “no” to ideas that don’t align with her vision. Social media — especially TikTok — played a surprising role in growing her audience, as short, simple videos helped bring new shoppers through the door. Whether you’re a business owner, creative, or just love great storytelling, McCall’s approach to thoughtful, experience-first retail is both inspiring and deeply relatable.
Mentioned in this episode:
Website: https://www.nancurated.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nan.curated
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mccallharwell
Zephyr Barbershop: https://www.instagram.com/zephyrbarber/
Episode Transcript
Carrie
Welcome to the localist. A Conversation with local makers and independent entrepreneurs. I’m your host, author of The localist book and former small business owner, Carrie Rollwagen. Our guest today is McCall Harwell. McCall runs Nan curated, which is a clothing company that has a vintage pop up once a month here in Birmingham, I like I enjoyed this episode so much because I’ve been to the pop up and it was really well done, well curated. The clothing is great, but also the experience itself is great. And today, on the podcast, we really dig into what McCall does to make that happen. We talk about what it is like to create an experience. Because yes, she sells clothing, she sells vintage clothing, but so much of what she sells is also just the experience of going to the pop up and coming once a month, and the way the attention to detail that she has in creating that experience, I think, is really great. And no matter what kind of business you have, I think you’ll find some things that apply to your business as well. We also get into social media. We get into her Instagram and Tiktok, and what strategies she uses there, what works for her there. And I think that will also be something that a lot of business owners can relate to, but also freelancers or solopreneurs or anybody just making your own things, or just presenting yourself on social media. I think that is going to be really interesting, too. And finally, we talk about the vulnerability of having a small business, especially a business like McCall’s, that is so like tied to her own taste and her own preferences. And I think we all have a little bit of this, whether or not you’re promoting your business or yourself online, but in a business like hers, I think it’s especially relevant, and I really appreciated that she was willing to get into that with us today. So I hope you enjoy this episode. I really loved it, and I think you’ll see why. Welcome to the podcast.
McCall Harwell
Thank you. Happy to be here.
Carrie
Yeah, I’m so glad to have you. You have been requested by a lot of the like, the staff who work on the Localist, yeah, and it’s exciting, like, I’ll get into some of this. But I actually heard about the pop up from them and went and I thought it was like, super well run. So excited. But for people who haven’t been Can you kind of first say, like, what is Nan from the customer perspective? Like, if they’re just interacting with you, like, what? What happens?
McCall Harwell
Yeah. So a dear friend of mine owns Zephyr barber shop, and so once a month I’m in that I kind of turn the barber shop into a store, and it’s one Saturday a month, and you might get your coffee and your pastry beforehand next door, but, yeah, you walk in and have about five or six racks of clothes. I’ve got boots and shoes and purses everywhere. And it’s kind of, these days, it’s kind of a fun, it’s like, kind of buzzing. There’s a bunch of people in and out. There’s some changing rooms. I always have fun music playing, and I’ve got either my sister or my wonderful, amazing friend Kat who’s checking you out. Yeah. So it’s just, it’s just a fun shopping experience. And I can get in to more of this later. But I made, I created it to be what I wanted to see in Birmingham. So you, you are inside in a beautiful space in, like air conditioner here, depending on the season, and you’ve got, it’s just like a, I wanted a really beautiful experience. That kind of was a combination of, like, it is a pop up, but it also feels like a boutique, in a way,
Carrie
well, and I think you’ve done that well. Like, I was surprised again, I didn’t do much research when I just went to the first pop up. And it does feel a lot more like a boutique. Like everything’s very organized. Also, there are a lot of like, you can kind of find everything, like you said, there are accessories, there’s clothing, and even changing rooms is, like, kind of shocking for a pop up. Like, in a good way.
McCall Harwell
Thank you. Yeah, that’s sweet. I’ve and it took me a bit to figure out what, because there’s a bathroom in the barber shop, and it’s obviously so nice and gorgeous, but the line’s getting so long, it’s like, oh my gosh. No one ever complained. But I was like, I would be complete. Like, these people are so patient. Oh my goodness. So I had one, like, I bought, like, a pop up changing. Room, and then the line was still so long, so I got another one. So, yeah, I just wanted to make it a very I just wanted, like, smooth sailing and just like, just, just, yeah, fun, but I wanted you to feel taken care of. Because I as a shopper, I was, like, going through my head, like, what would, what’s the ideal shopping experience, especially on, like, a Saturday, you know, like, I just wanted you to feel like, like, yeah. Like you walk in, it is organ. I got organized them, the racks based off of, honestly, just a vibe of the clothes, like, yeah. It’s different every time. But they are organized. Everything’s intentional, and I just wanted you to feel like taken care of. Yeah, yeah,
Carrie
when I think I really like being down there because it’s the downtown center, and there’s a line for last call, yes, a line for June, yes, there’s a line for you guys, I mean, until you have been but it’s kind of exciting and also impressive that it’s, I’m in Saturday mornings and you guys open, is it at eight?
McCall Harwell
Yeah, yeah, yeah, no. I know. The most flattering thing is that, over time, it’s, there is now a line for me at 8am and when I opened the door, like just seeing everyone flood in. It’s, it is so kind, and it’s, it’s so funny to see who, because it’s most of the time they’ll see something that I’ve posted and be like, where is this? I’m I’m here for this. I wanted to get it for no one else did. And then, of course, there’s the people who sleep in. And then there’s another way, you know, it’s just fun, but yeah, that the morning scene on that little block is, yeah, literally insane. And I need to post about this. But some people wait and the last call line thinking it’s for me, oh yeah, and it is not. I mean, maybe at 8am there’s like, a little line, but yeah, I need to tell people like, no, no, come in. Like, that’s not my line. I swear. Yeah, yeah. It’s definitely a fun like that block is really fun on a Saturday,
Carrie
yeah, and it’s really nice to see all of these local businesses just doing really well, and people excited about supporting local businesses and also kind of embracing the fact that it is more of an experience. Yeah, it’s not necessarily. If you just wanted to get the fastest pastry possible or the fastest black possible or whatever,
McCall Harwell
right? And I wanted to tap into that being there, because it’s a privilege to be in that space and on that block, and so I wanted it to feel like a social event too. Because, yeah, like, if you’re waiting in line for, you know, starting at something, some of them start at like, seven for a pastry or whatever. You know, odds are you’re with someone, you’re with your significant other or your friends, and you’re, like, making the most out of it. So, yeah, I wanted it to Nan pop ups to feel like you could, like, hang around and it’s just like, yeah, like, fun music, like, it’s just, I did want it to feel more of like an experience than just just the clothes.
Carrie
Yeah. Do you have a background in hospitality or anything like that that you’re bringing to that? Or have you worked in retail before? I
McCall Harwell
literally have not worked a lick in retail, but I was marketing director for a restaurant group when I moved here three years ago, and that really, really showed me. I mean, I was so green when it came to hospitality, because even before that, I had never worked in a restaurant or any any service industry. Literally, I Never No experience. So that was very interesting. I gleaned a lot from my bosses and the owners who just, it’s just, it’s about people. And I think companies who fixate on the product more than the people, that’s where it can get. You know that they might go wrong. And I’ve tried to not do that, and I’m learning every single day, literally, how to how to do that, but and it shows in so many different ways, but yeah, that was like seeing them prioritize the person and their experience and get creative with that. And just like, realize, like, we’re all humans, nothing’s going to be perfect. A short term financial loss is always it always pays off if that person is going to stay loyal to you. So if you need, you know, just stuff like that, like seeing them do that all the time was like, Really, I remember taking notes in my head, and I remember also wanting to get in on their like, PNLs type, type meetings and stuff. Because I did not know I was gonna start Nan, but I just literally had a gut feeling that I was gonna start. Going to start something, yeah, and I could not have, I mean, I would have never said it out loud Yeah, because I just would have felt like a fool. But I just was subconsciously soaking up a lot from that. And what better like form of hospitality than restaurants too? I mean, it’s like. The like, peak of hospitality, I feel like. So, yeah, that was really helpful.
Carrie
Well, I think that’s true. Like restaurants also, it’s you have to cultivate this experience. But then you also, I think you mentioned this, but kind of have to roll with it when things go wrong, because when you have food, everything, yeah, totally. So I would imagine like that would be helpful too, because the same with a pop up, like things are gonna go wrong. I would imagine more with a pop up than a retail space that you can control everything. I mean, you still can’t control everything, yeah, but that’s still, you know, weather is probably gonna impact things.
McCall Harwell
Yeah, there’s definitely some, some factors that you just kind of gotta be light on your toes, yeah. But I mean, honestly, though, not even too, too bad at all, I mean, and that’s why I’m so grateful I I might not stay in this space forever, but for now, as long as Kellen will have me at Zephyr, like, the consistency of the space, because, like, I set up on a Friday night, and so that block is clear, because all those places close early in the or in the afternoon, like, all of the details have just worked out so well that. And I mean, it took time to figure out, to figure it out, but, yeah, I’m like, I really have just, it’s just, at this point, a well oiled machine, and I’m so grateful for, like, Zephyr, for that, and just, I don’t know, but yes, there’s always factors that I’m like, oh, yeah, did not think about that. So what am I gonna do right now in this exact second? Um, gotta figure that out quick. But, yeah, it’s never been too bad.
Carrie
Yeah, well, can you talk about some because you didn’t start that’s not the only place you’ve had pop ups, right? So you’ve had events other places.
McCall Harwell
I did one at bouquet wine bar in like West Homewood. That was in October. So I’d only been doing Nan for about, what, four months, and that was really fun. That was since Nan was so young to see people like drive out, because it was also in the evening, and Buca is not downtown. It’s like, a little bit, well, yeah, West home. So to see people like drive and come to shop, I think I really personally needed that. Like, okay, people really like Nan, like they will come for Nan. And that was that was like, just in my own personal journey, what I needed. But their space is so gorgeous, and like they were, it was the most fun night. They had the coolest like records playing and wine and cheese tasting that was like, free for shoppers. I loved that I don’t right now I’m sticking to just the Yeah, I think as Nan grew, I realized how, kind of, what sort of like it’s just, it’s kind of a beast now, and I’m putting out so much more clothes, and so many more people are coming. So I do stick to just one Saturday a month at Zephyr as of now, but that experience was amazing. And maybe if something is just like, so, you know, perfectly lined up in some other way I would do, I would go, I would like travel again.
Carrie
You can see the consistency being really good, especially as you’re growing. Because I think when things are just starting, especially like a local business sometimes, I mean, some people are just mean, but, like, a lot of times, people and your friends are like, oh, like, whatever you know, and then, but now, you’ve done it so consistently that I would think that having that space that you know what’s going on in the space and how you’re going to set up can help as people start expecting more, and then I would assume also this has grown from probably, and I mean, is this how it’s grown from your probably immediate people following you on Instagram or wherever you’re posting, and then growing to like their friends and their friends, and now It seems like it’s drawing in people that you’re like, I don’t know,
McCall Harwell
yes, yeah, totally. Because, like, at first, I have learned so, like, in every possible way that it takes a village if you’re going to start something, and you don’t have to be the most well connected person in the community. But for me, like my friends and family that kind of carried me and Nan and supported it so much in the beginning that really was crucial. And, yeah, it was. It was totally like, my so sweet was like, my close friends reposting, and then them being, I’m bringing a friend this, you know, time, and I’m like, Oh my gosh, yeah. And then, now, which you took me a while. I think I was just, I just had to get over that mental. I was like, I just didn’t do like tiktoks for a while. I don’t, I think I was so I also scatterbrained. And then finally, one day, I was like, okay, my God, it does not have to, you don’t have to make like, the most elaborate Tiktok. Thinking, like, actually very simple and easy. And once I did that now, especially like this summer, it kind of blew up. And people unprovoked now just say, when they’re checking out, they’re like, I found you on my for you page, like on my Tiktok and all. And you know those tiktoks were getting like, hundreds and hundreds of like, saves and shares and 1000s of views and, like, 10s of 1000s. And I was like, Oh, okay. I mean, I should have done this long time ago, but it’s really cool to see people I truly have never seen in my life before show up. And I’m like, This is amazing. And because I’m just really passionate about Birmingham and I have a website for Nan. It was great at the time. I started in February. I did some designer bag drops, and, like a bridal drop, and maybe I will, you know, put very specific things on the website again. But I actually learned through that that I am so much more passionate about in person experiences. And, like, I started this because I moved back to Birmingham, and I was like, I don’t really love the shopping here. And so I was like, instead of moving, not that I would have moved for shopping, but like, I was I just because I grew up here. So I thought it was, like, lame and all this stuff. So naive. Everyone goes through the pipeline of, like, Birmingham, so lame, and then they realize, like the best place to live, I was like Mongolian, instead of leaving just just create what you would like to see. So, yeah, I’m mostly passionate about Birmingham. So these like tick tocks and reels, getting bringing in more people. And I mean, blowing up might be a little generous, but what, for me felt like blowing up. It was cool because, you know, I tagged Birmingham, I used words like, keywords, like local, whatever. So that was like, felt like it was helping me accomplish my goal, which is get more people in our sweet town to what I’m already doing, rather than trying to, like, sell online to whoever. You know, it’s just like, I don’t know, people
Carrie
think about it’s almost the opposite thing, because selling in a in a pop up, which is its own event, and it’s like, it’s about hospitality, it’s about welcoming people and having an experience, I guess is the word I’m looking for, is completely different from E commerce, which is Like, you’re completely disconnected from the person, right? Like, even having a retail shop would be closer, because at least you’re interacting with people in a weird way. I found that when I used to sell books and coffee, obviously, and I kind of didn’t like interacting online with people about books, because it was just a completely different thing. It’s like, I want to hand sell the book. I want to talk to somebody about it. And it’s just, it’s different.
McCall Harwell
It is different. And some big brands do it really well. Like, there is, there can be kind of a magic created with, I don’t know. They just their whole every touch point they have, you they make it personal, and that’s really cool. And I, you know, shop online with some of those brands, but, and I kind of feel like I’m, you know, a part of something, but I think, yeah, for me, I was just like, maybe in another season of life I would love, you know, maybe there’s something else I would love to like, like, maybe if I started a clothing line, which I have no intention to do, but say I did that, I think it would be cool to share whatever designs I was so passionate about with so many people that could. Like, that’s a cool I get it. I get it. But for now, like, it’s just not the goal of Nan and I, even though I’m so flattered and like, it makes me so happy, because a lot of people DM me about that live and like, really a lot of like, Nashville and close, other close areas. But also, like, literally, someone the other day was like, come to Boston, yeah. Or just, it’s really cool and sweet, but um, and maybe one day that will somehow manifest. But I just for now, I’m like, the personal, the like, like, I remember every single piece that I source, like, every single one. And so when I’m just walking around town and I see someone in a piece, I am like, it is the best feeling in the world, like, I just can’t even, like, explain it and so, and it’s just cool that, you know, we’re both just like, at June getting coffee. I just really value the in person, like the local community aspect, because it’s like Birmingham. Birmingham is a great place to start a business, because people do want to support local and people do want to like they we believe in our city, and so it’s just like this feeling of like we can all take ownership, and like we’re proud to have fill in the blank. And I’m like, honored that Nan has become, yeah, that they’re proud to have Nan in birming, you know? So, yeah, it’s kind of my headspace. Yes, as I’ve grown it,
Carrie
yeah, well. And also, just for customers, like, the excitement of having like, I’m going to this one event, and even on social, being able to promote like, like, gearing people toward this one event, I think, is it, is it a good strategy? Also like, because it is something that’s a little different than if somebody’s posting and I could sometimes I’m like, I could go anytime, so I actually will go, never
McCall Harwell
why? Literally, I mean, people ask me if I want a brick and mortar, and I don’t like really at all. The only pro would be to just have ownership of a place to, like, make it a fun space, to come and hang out and shop and to do like, block parties and whatever, that is a cool dream. But for that exact reason, I’m like, I don’t really. And another thing about Birmingham is Birmingham loves a pop up. Yeah, Birmingham love to pop up. Like, if something’s there all the time, it’s kind of like, well, and I would love to see Birmingham’s downtown shopping district. I don’t even want to say grow. I want to say, like, become a thing. Yeah, it’s like, literally nothing besides, like, basic and a few other wonderful places. But like, it’s not at a place where I can take a risk it the, like, just between, like, the foot traffic and just because I would want it to be downtown and I just don’t see it. Yeah, I would do it in like, 10 years when we So, in my mind, I’m like, now it’s never gonna happen. So, yeah, I love the just the one event. So it does build excitement and it and it’s like, it gives me my life. It’s really sustainable for me. Like I’m sourcing all month long I have, I usually do the pop ups exactly four weeks apart, so I take a couple days off after the pop up. But then for weeks, I’m just, like, sourcing, organizing, literally, like cleaning or whatever it is, whatever I need to do, posting, promoting, and then I’ve read all my all my inventories, back up, and I’m ready, like, it’s very perfect right now for me, even even now that I have to source a lot more because I sell a lot more, it’s still doable within a month. I mean, whole month, you know, it’s like, great.
Carrie
Well, I think that also when people are kind of looking at this from the outside and saying, like, You should do this, and you should do that, which, by the way, I think is a pretty common thing for customers who, like, love what you’re doing. Well, that was so hard for me when I first owned a business, because they would be like, you should sell gazpacho or you should have a toast bar. And I would want to be like, That’s the worst idea ever, and here’s why. But really, I finally realized, like, this is kind of their dream too, and they’re just wanting to engage with that dream, and I’m just supposed to be like, Oh, cool. Like,
McCall Harwell
That is so true. I had no idea. And it’s not even i Only it’s not even shoppers as much as it’s like random people that I know that I had no idea that when you start anything people get, it’s imagine how I don’t have kids, but it’s how I imagine moms feel when people give you. Give you unsolicited parenting advice and you’re like, Yeah, wait. I just Okay, thank you. Like, I it is like, I know it’s always, you know, good intentions. But sometimes it does feel like a little bit of an overstep, not every time, but it is funny. It’s you do just learn to just be like, great idea, like, yeah and not not that. I’m like, Yeah, I don’t want to be I’m not trying to be fake, but it’s just like, so, so, so many people, and I had no idea how much you have to say, No, way, way, way, way more than Yes, like you, because at the beginning you think, like, Oh, you’re just insecure, not like, emotionally, but like, as a business, you’re not secure yet. And so you just, you’re like, oh, maybe I should do that. Maybe I should do that. And that was a huge when I kind of realized, or when I kind of, like, got my footing and my foundation, and I realized, like, i i My gut knows what’s best. Like, I know what’s best. I am the most knowledgeable and the most involved. Like you just, I just did not realize you have to tune a lot out, and you just have to, like, follow your gut, even, even down to what I named it. I was because my name is McCall, and so it’s kind of unique. And I was like, How can I use McCall or some part of my name? But I just there’s not really much you can do with McCall. And I thought of the old like patterns and magazine brand. I was like, I feel like it’s already been done, yeah? And I would feel weird calling it like my name. I was just like, I don’t know. So then I was like, oops, oops. Wow, I was just messing around with my No, my middle name, which is an A, N, N, and I was, like, rearranging my name. And I just rearranged an into Nan. And like, I had, like, one or two friends. Actually, I had one friend shout out to you, Lily, who was like, was she, I knew she would get it. She was like, yes, that’s so cool. Like, it’s just, I can’t explain it, but yes, and everyone else was like, okay, yeah. Like, Nan, like, kind of grandma E and it’s like, yes, but it’s like, I was like, but picture it with very modern branding, like, it is an ode to the vintage clothes, like, but it, but with modern branding, it’s like exactly what Nan is, which is like a combo of those two vibes. And I was like, I there’s nothing I hate more than seeing some cool brand and forgetting what it’s called because it’s some long French word that I’m like, Okay, I was gonna look you up, but I can’t, yeah, I just wanted it to be really memorable. And anyway, that was just one example from the jump where I had to just be like, I my gut, I know, I know that, like, this is people are gonna it’s gonna land, yeah? And sure enough, it did, yeah. You know, just once, one, a drop in the bucket of like, you can’t always listen to everyone, yeah, but you want to at first,
Carrie
yeah, absolutely, that was the thing. Yeah, it bothered. The more you get into it, the more you, I think, do like, you said, tap into like. Part of this for really, most local businesses, but especially for what you do is your taste. You know, it’s like, it is a perspective on like. This isn’t target. You’re not walking in and you’re just like, there’s five different kinds of black shirts. So having to lean in is, I think, difficult, especially at the beginning, where you’re just like, yeah, because how does that feel? Because you’re almost also putting that out there and saying, like, Are people gonna like,
McCall Harwell
oh my gosh, it was so vulnerable at the beginning. Like, now I understand how certain people, like, I think of like entertainers who put out a TV show or videos like, that’s exactly how I felt. Were you just putting stuff out and you are opening yourself up to be criticized? Because I was at the beginning, I was like, What if everyone thinks this is literally the ugliest things they’ve ever seen? And I think what kept me going is a the positive feedback that I got, starting from the first one of just people saying, like, you have amazing stuff. And I look back at that first one, and I’m like, literally, that was kind of boo boo. But there were some great pieces. So it’s like, every single time people were just like, super, like, wowed. And so that gave me confidence. But like, also, I know that my kind of taste and like ability, I guess the taste was always there, but my ability to, like, not try to source everything for everyone. Got better, and now I feel like I can cut through, like I know exactly what I want to see, and I’ve honed in on just really, really, really cool pieces that are unique, that have a little edge, or maybe they are more girly and vintage, whatever it is. But like, I just, when I see the piece, I just either know or I don’t. Whereas, at first I was like, I don’t know, like, what’s what? I think it’s cool. But like, would people buy this? Is it too? Is it not like you just second guess everything? I think if you could, like, have heard my mind when I was sourcing the first couple months. Yeah, I felt schizophrenic. I was like, I think I have like, 70 voices in my head. I’m ill, I need to go home. But you just, like, you just grow in that way and that. When I started trusting myself, like, fully and completely, that was just such a shift in this thing I’m doing, like, in my in this Nan, this phase of my career, it was like I was just really stressed before then, because, again, you’re second guessing everything, and it’s so vulnerable, and then all of a sudden you’re like, Okay, you know what I’ve been doing this, people have been loving it, and it’s really humbling, because if I put it out because I put myself out there on Nan Instagram, or if you follow, if you go and follow my personal Instagram, like, I realized it is a level of like, if they’ve already seen it’s like, if they trust my own personal taste, then I can kind of cut through a couple layers of, like, having to prove myself. It’s like, Oh, if she put it out there, she thinks it’s cool. And I think what she gets or what she wears is cool, like, so it was I realized, like, because that’s exactly how it is with brands I love. I’m like, whoever’s running it or started it, I follow them personally. And I think for whatever reason. And they’re like, awesome or cool or inspiring, and so immediately I trust what they’re gonna put out. So that was, like a huge shift for me, yeah,
Carrie
well, and it does, it really feels consistent. And I think that’s honestly almost the only way that you can make it consistent with a small business, is just to say, I get it. I know what this is, instead of Yeah, once you start going the direction of doing everything, and it doesn’t mean think you said this too. It doesn’t mean that just because somebody’s giving me a comment, I’m gonna reject it, but it does mean that a lot of those comments are just not they’re not lining up with what they’re trying to
McCall Harwell
create, yes, and like, not in a not in a bad way at all, like, not in a rude way. But you do have to figure out, like, I mean, it’s just like, if someone’s giving you life advice in any other category, you have to, like, look at that person and think, do I want my life to look like theirs or not? And then that’s helpful to to, like, filter it through. But like, I think there’s, I think, yeah, I just think that a lot of the comments or suggestions I was getting, I would have to just be like, Well, what like demographic is this person in? And who am I trying to read? You know, stuff like that. That was kind of like, yeah, if it doesn’t like, your business does not have to line up with everyone, or every you know age group or whatever. And I do think that I I do think Nan actually is able to, I think, if you I think it casts a pretty wide net to for age groups and or like style to come in and be able to find something, but like, you know, there are still a certain group of people that maybe they don’t want to come downtown on a Saturday morning, they’re in the burbs, and they want to stay in the burbs, and that’s just like, great and awesome. It just wouldn’t line up with who I’m trying to Yeah, you know,
Carrie
you can’t be like, all things to all people, and also have a curated brand that you know, especially because you’re sourcing, you’re sourcing vintage clothes, you’re not even, you’re not, you’re not creating a clothing line that has its own distinct like creating the personality of the business out of your taste, Essentially, yeah, and maybe speak to that a little bit like, how, how do you source? Now, I’m not asking, like, where are your like, on the one hand, I don’t think it is polite to be like, where do you go so other people can go. But also, which wouldn’t I don’t think that even works, because it’s like, I do feel like, if I if you went to a thrift store and I went to the same thing, your your taste is going to find you’re going to find things that other people are going to overlook. Also, it’s not very safe to tell people where you are all the time, but you can find me here. But so I’m not saying like list the places, yeah, but just in a general way, is it, like, online? Is it thrift stores? Like,
McCall Harwell
yeah. So I do a lot, so I’m really passionate about Alabama, and I do a lot of things, like estate sales. I post all the time about how I’m literally out on the boonies, like, the further away, the better from town.
Carrie
I like that. I think you’re just like, I always find this brand, yes, here, yeah. Are you
McCall Harwell
talking about Dior? Yeah, okay, literally, I always find Dior in the boonies. I swear it was like the older generation, these southern older people. I think it was like a household staple for the men or the women to have, like, one or two Dior pieces, I don’t know. And my friend in Florence, Alabama said that he finds Dior while thrifting all the time. So I swear it’s just like something in Alabama that was the case a couple years or decades ago. But, yeah, so, and I mean, there’s also random stuff, like, I don’t know, I end up in like, some warehouse all this, I don’t even know, like, I’m just online trying to find places, but I do thrift as well to supplement, and I’ll drive a really long way to for a thrift store too. Like, I’ll drive like, like, damn near an hour or more. But anyway, I’m really passionate about Alabama and these people’s houses, like, in their whole life’s, you know, wardrobe, basically, that is what is so interesting to me. Yes, I find killer, rare history filled pieces at their stores. But like, kind of estate sales and or like these, like random sales that go on and like someone’s storage unit, like random stuff like that. Those are so, so fascinating to me, because people think that the best you know pieces are like in bigger cities or I. Group. I’m just like, very proud to be from Alabama. And there is so much history in Alabama that you just are, you just get to see and like, I don’t, I really don’t take it for granted, because it’s just so neat to me. So, yeah, that’s kind of, that’s, those are, like, the main place I do a little bit online, not a ton, but it’s mainly when I’m like, I might be shopping for myself or on some secondhand place online, and then, like, I might actually buy it for me and try it out. And then I’m like, I do also like to wear things once and put them, put it in and just to, like, give myself a little perk of the business, yeah? But, um,
Carrie
well, especially with vintage clothing, it’s not like, yeah, no, somebody owned it before, you know,
McCall Harwell
right, right, right, yeah. So it’s kind of a mix of everything, but, um, yeah, I’m just it’s not very glamorous. I’m like, it’s in dusty, musty, crusty places, yeah, and I’m finding gold, and it’s really fun. And I’m just, it really does make me, I don’t know, I just, I just, I think that’s another reason why I didn’t want us to do online super like a lot, because I was like, this is, you know, it’s Alabama, like, it just doesn’t get as much. People don’t understand. Like, people think it’s just kind of hick or, like, lame or whatever, but I love Alabama so much. Like, I literally love it, and it’s, it’s important to me to, like, people assume my source outside of Alabama, and I’m like, No, every single piece comes from the rich history that we have in the state that’s
Carrie
really interesting. Like, I didn’t, I hadn’t thought about that that. I mean, it’s also practical, that it kind of gives you a boundary of how, how long am I going to drive? How, right? And
McCall Harwell
I mean, when I travel, I never, I don’t really make intent, like trips to source i i might do, like, I don’t know. There are places I’m like, I would love to go, but typically what ends up happening is I travel personally, and then I make that trip a sourcing trip, yeah, for sure, anywhere I go. So, I mean, I am like, I did. I was in Italy for a couple weeks and brought back a ton. So that was, like, awesome, but yeah, so it’s mainly Alabama, yeah, I will say,
Carrie
well, and even I saw something, it was maybe online or, I mean, I don’t know where, but it was kind of like I sourced from the south and from Europe. And, like, I don’t know if that was just like a throwaway line, but I actually think that’s kind of cool. And it also speaks to, like, this isn’t really how I grew up, but a lot of people from the South also traveled to Europe like a decent amount, yeah, especially from a household that had de or something, yeah, necessarily every day, yeah, but yeah. So I think that still kind of lines up with Yeah. It’s kind of an interesting way to do it. I think that’s really smart too, to say, like, Yeah, I’m going here. It’s also kind of maybe, like, the push to justify, like, a fun trip,
McCall Harwell
to totally, I try to, like, put it on the socials and documents, so it’s like you can feel like you’re a part of the trip. Or, yeah, it is fun. It can be really
Carrie
fun. So when you’re thinking about social media, I liked what you said about, like, not making it too, like you don’t have to make every Tiktok, like, perfect, or whatever. But can you kind of speak to that a little bit like, how and you did some, but how do you approach Tiktok, Instagram? Are you other places? Are you like,
McCall Harwell
Yeah, I’m just, I’m like, trying to make sure, yeah, I’m just Instagram and Tiktok.
Carrie
I mean, that’s where you’re putting your energy to like, yes. Like, we all have random, well, yeah,
McCall Harwell
but Nana is, yeah. Nana is definitely just Instagram and Tiktok. I’m, I’m way more on Instagram, like, just posting stories most days. I love that. I because sometimes I’m just on the I’m like, sourcing, and I just want to show you one quick thing, like, I do put up a lot of stories on Instagram, and that’s fun, and then it’s easy to like people DM they’re like, oh my gosh, I have to get that when I like and then, and I post a lot of like, the shoppers in whatever Nan piece they just got, I post a lot of that on Instagram. So, like, Nan’s Instagram is definitely the most well rounded place to be. You should definitely just follow that if you want, like, all the details and sneak peeks and stuff. But Tiktok I started, it’s actually just my personal Tiktok, which was never really a thing. It was just, I posted, maybe the most, like, couple random things. I was like, whatever. I’ll just use this. I don’t know. I think a friend was like, just use your personal because, like people, it’s just feels more personal. Yeah, people know you’re a human so
Carrie
well, especially for Tiktok, I feel like that seems. Lot more like, authentic than Yeah, like a business,
McCall Harwell
that’s what they were saying. I was like, I think, I think that’s true so, but Tiktok I mainly just use to promote into like, like, I post like, growth oriented tiktoks, and because it can reach such a vaster audience, like Birmingham audience like, I compare the views of the same video from Instagram Tiktok and Tiktok like really blows it out of the water. Just for like views and people
Carrie
getting different. It seems like Instagrams algorithm is more connected to people who are following you, or maybe some maybe one or two steps beyond that, and Tiktok algorithm seems to favor more, like, location based and also interest based. And you’re way more likely to come up on like, a for you page, yes, where I think to get in front of people on Instagram, you’re gonna have to, like, buy advertising. And that’s still not,
McCall Harwell
yeah, Instagram is like, really you, yeah, you Yeah, you already know, and you’re locked in pretty much. I would Yeah, I would say,
Carrie
so that does seem like it makes sense. And I don’t think, I think, like, so many small businesses are like, should I be on Tiktok? I’m kind of like, it depends on what you’re doing, yeah,
McCall Harwell
depends on what you want, yeah, to achieve, like, the moment I realized I’m not really passionate about online, but I still need to be putting out growth content for like locally. Was when I just went straight to Tiktok and I was like, and I made the videos. I honestly need some more ideas, but I’ve just made videos that are like, think like, how people say there’s something to do in Birmingham, and then I like, show the pop, like, just stuff like that. That’s like it. I think I felt paralyzed because I was with online. I was trying to market to literally every single human being on this planet. It’s just like, too much. Like, where do I begin? And then I felt so much better focusing on specifically Birmingham, and like, what do people want here, and what do people want to do here, and stuff like that. So that was helpful. And those actually, actually went somewhere and, like, blew up. I mean, again, blowing up is, like, compared to other people. For me, it’s blowing
Carrie
up. No, I know, but that’s different. It is interesting. I think that’s a good way to look at social though, because some people are like, well, I got so many views or so many likes, but it doesn’t really matter if it’s not translating into what you’re seeing in the business, but what you’re saying is, because you’re like, people come in and tell me you came up on my for you page.
McCall Harwell
Yes, they like saved the video. They either follow my Tiktok or my instagram or both, and then they come in and yeah, and they tell me, and I’m like, okay, literally amazing. It is doing what I intended it to do. But yeah, there’s like a direct and, yeah, I just keep it very simple. I use like footage I’ve already taken. I try to, I sometimes show myself so they know it’s always like, you’re more inclined to, like, watch a person, so even if it’s, like, really a short clip or something. But yeah, and then there’s, I mean, luckily, there’s only one thing to do, and it is to come to the bo Yeah, it is pretty simple. But yeah, yeah, that’s, it’s definitely been, it’s like, just worked, I guess.
Carrie
Yeah. So do you tend to do tiktoks closer to the event? Or
McCall Harwell
I do, I’ll do it like the week of, and like the beginning of, like, a, yeah, a week a week before. Because sometimes I’ll do it closer, and then people will comment, like, Oh, I just saw this, and it was Saturday, you know, yeah. But, um, yeah, like about the week of I start, like, doing a wave of pushing. I
Carrie
think that feedback from real people is something like, it’s a it’s kind of something that small businesses have that think we forget that even in a corporate store, you don’t actually get that feedback of like, because if somebody says, as they’re buying something, I saw this on tick tock. It’s not like that person who’s working at the retail store is going to call corporate and be
McCall Harwell
like, right, right, right. That is so true. It is very I really love being like, there’s no distance between us. There’s no like, I talk to almost everyone. Like, if I’ve not talked to you, I’m so sorry. I promise I will next time, like, I make my rounds, like I love to talk to people, and also tick tock is people are way more inclined to, like, comment and ask about things, which, you know, you always get some random things, or maybe some crazy Zelle in the world. But like it, it’s like the like, people would never ask on an Instagram reel what they do on Tiktok. They’ll be like, okay, like, when you say affordable, what is that exact range? Yeah, or just stuff like that. And so I feel like I answer a lot more on Tiktok.
Carrie
It is wild.
McCall Harwell
They will be specific, yeah, they know exactly what they
Carrie
want. Yeah. Yeah, I wasn’t on Tiktok until this year, and like, the first post had like 50 comments. I was like, What is Yeah, I have a fairly active Instagram for being small Birmingham, but I would never, I can’t think of any Instagram post I’ve gotten 50 comments,
McCall Harwell
right? It’s just like the culture on Tiktok is the comments. It’s such a big part of it, which I like, I mean, I yeah, I love it,
Carrie
yeah. So I think that’s interesting. So yeah. Like, when you’re shooting, you are using that footage repeatedly. Are you purposely capturing footage at the pop up so you can use that? Or No,
McCall Harwell
yo, yeah, for sure. Like, I just capture, obviously, the general vibe the people you know fun hustling and bustling. But I also try to zoom in on like, all like the hall they have in their in their arms, which is so fun to me, like see what everyone picks out. And I don’t know, maybe like people checking out, or people like coming out of the changing room and showing their friends and stuff. It’s just like the whole so, you know, what is going on in the whole experience? Instead of just seeing a bunch of people in a room, you’re like, Okay, this is, like, feels like an actual store, and I can try stuff on. And, you know, I actually, now that I’m thinking about it, this is what I want to do. I feel like I haven’t actually done that very well. So starting, starting the next one, I’m trying to like, make people get a quick, a quick glimpse at the entire experience, rather than just like, but I mean, at the same time, see, this is classic. You just like back and forth in your head. At the same time, I also feel like sometimes when you just almost leave a little to the imagination, people are so curious, and they just come anyway. So, yeah, you know, but, but I do try to get cute little it’s like, Yeah, fun little details of the day that do draw people in sometimes too
Carrie
well, I think you show the things that to me, I think would be helpful, because I, I get anxious about, I’m like, where am I gonna park? What is this, you know, but, like, you should, like, even showing that there are fitting rooms, and even just seeing the way things are set up, I think is helpful to people to say, because I’m like, I know what to expect, yeah. Like, I’m not great at being able to judge, like, how things are gonna look on me. I think some people are really good at that. I’m not so like, knowing that there is a fitting room is a complete like, Oh, okay. Like, I’ll go, you know, yeah. But I think, like, I think you do that, and you can kind of see from the post to, like, how the setup is, where you’re paying that kind of thing, which is, I think, pretty important, but you don’t have to say, I mean, like, even you interacting and connecting with people, they’ll find that out when they get there, you know it’s true, yeah. What are other things you do for that experience? Like, you’re, are you picking the music? Are you thinking about that? Is there? Like,
McCall Harwell
yeah, I have a Nan playlist that I’m just before each pop up, I’ll add, like, fun stuff I’ve been listening to. It’s kind of a pop, girly vibe, but I just want the music to be like fun, because it’s like, I just wanted to be like, fun and positive and,
Carrie
well, people shop more when the music is, yeah, like, I’m like,
McCall Harwell
really fun, yeah, I know. Because you just like, feel good, and you’re just like, yes. And it’s, it’s so sweet, because some people are in a budget, some people are not, but like, the ones who are, they’ll say, like, Okay, this time it lined up with my paycheck. I just got paid. Do your thing. It’s just like, fun, and it’s if you are allotting your funds that could be going other places to Nan. I want it to be like, literally, so fun. I want every time you put on those pieces to just like, remember the day and it wasn’t stressful, and you weren’t outside sweating or something or digging through a pile, or you weren’t like, you know how you sometimes you go into like, like, just bigger brand, like stores, and you’re just like, I feel like I’m literally sucked into A vortex. I leave and I’m like, How much time did I spend in there? I don’t even know what I got. Like, everything is fuzzy. I just need the sunlight. Yeah, I don’t want to do like that either. I just want everything to feel like, good and calm and like, you worked hard for that money and now you get these amazing pieces, and the whole time you were just like, so happy to be doing that, you know? Yeah, it means a lot to me that like it. I can accommodate people of all financial wherever you might be,
Carrie
well, and also feeling that experience when you put on the clothing also makes the clothing look better. I mean, it helps you have confidence, yeah, if you’re having that experience, and it also helps clothing to mean something. So it’s just like you’re just connecting to that a lot more when we don’t have time to get into, like, fast fashion and all that, but it’s like, kind of the opposite of that experience. First of all, like you are actually, literally reusing clothing. So that’s the opposite of fast fashion, right? So also, you’re connected to a really an experience you can feel good about and remember that when you wear it. Yeah.
McCall Harwell
Yeah, yes, I love that. Thank you. Well,
Carrie
actually, this is probably a good place to stop. I would love to keep talking, but we can’t. We can’t talk forever, so tell people, and we’ll link to these in the show notes. But like, what your Instagram and tick tock is, and just what’s the best way to find the pop ups and
McCall Harwell
great, the Instagram is Nan n, a n dot curated, and my TikTok, I don’t actually know what that is, willing we’ll find, okay, that’s a reason to get the show great. I think it’s, I know it’s like, my name, yeah, it has McCall and horrible in it, okay? But anyway,
Carrie
normally, if you search that, especially when you’re you’re in Birmingham,
McCall Harwell
but yeah, next, next podcast, I’ll have that, uh, memorized, but, um yeah, those are the main two places. And the next pop up is September 13, Saturday morning. And let me just say again, if you see the long, long, long line and you’re waiting in it is this for the bakery. That’s not for me. You can come on in at eight o’clock. You can come on in. But yeah, yeah.
Carrie
Well, awesome. Thank you so much,
McCall Harwell
of course, thank you for having me.
Carrie
The localist podcast is written by me Carrie Rollwagen and produced here at infomedia studios. So infomedia is a sponsor of the podcast, and we handle everything, the recording, show notes, posting to podcast platforms, even helping with social media content. So if you’re interested in doing your own podcast, doing a podcast for your business, or shooting any kind of content for social media reels, YouTube shorts, you name it, we would love to help to get that started. Just head to infomedia.com and fill out the contact form. You can find show notes about this week’s topic @carrierollwagen.com and you can find me on social media pretty much everywhere. At CRollwagen, our show runner is Taylor Davis. Hannah Craigen is our outreach manager, and Paul Bryant is our audio engineer, so until next time, here’s to thinking global by Acting local and putting small shops before big box.