Today we’d like to introduce you to Scout Frank.
Hi Scout, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always had an interest in old, weird stuff that some people may consider ‘junk.’ I guess I can blame my grandma Shirley who was an avid collector of all things antique as well as my mom who was a self-proclaimed second-hand shopaholic, for passing along that gene to me. As far back as I can remember, I would tag along with those two and spend hours upon hours sifting through racks and rummaging through shelves at various antique and thrift shops in town. At the time, I was just happy to be included and to be spending time with my two favorite people. But as I got older, middle school, then high school, I began to really enjoy the hunt for unique, one-of-a-kind additions to my wardrobe. These pieces couldn’t be found in the mall, but rather in unsuspecting places where my peers wouldn’t be caught dead at the time (thrift shops weren’t always trendy – crazy, I know). This is where my sense of style and my love for fashion began to develop.
Fast forward to after college, I had just graduated with a degree in Environmental Science, and I had landed a job working in Bali, Indonesia, as the General Manager for an environmentally conscious mosquito control company. It sounded like a dream, and I was ecstatic to be flying across the world to help local communities with critical issues. But that excitement was soon extinguished by a boss who desperately wanted to control every aspect of my role at the company. In the months following my arrival, I made the promise to myself that when my contract was up in Bali, I would return to the U.S. and start my own business where I would be the boss and where I wouldn’t have to answer to anyone else. And that’s exactly what I did. When I returned from my job overseas, I not only had a business idea that would highlight my background in sustainability and fashion, but I also had a business plan in place and a business name – Ransack.
Of course, I didn’t just get the keys and open the doors to the shop right away. It took years of saving, of planning, of sourcing, of building every single display. There were a lot of long days and a lot of times where I thought to myself, “What in the f*** am I getting myself into?!” But somehow, the doors finally opened. I look back now and think how bare the shop looked on our opening day and how I literally had no idea what I was doing, but I am so proud of the fact that I did what I set my mind to and stayed true to my vision. Thanks to the help of my store manager, Sami Ghomeshi, who has been by my side since we opened 5 years ago, Ransack has really blossomed into a vintage destination down here in San Diego County. I think what sets us apart from the other buy/sell/trade vintage stores in the area is our staff’s extensive knowledge of true vintage garments and, therefore, our meticulously curated collection of vintage clothing.
If you’ve had the chance to visit Ransack, or maybe you’ve just had a peek at our Instagram, you’re sure to notice the Western Americana feel of our curation. I grew up on an avocado ranch in Southern California where I spent my days riding my horse, Bob, and tending to our goats and chickens. To say I’ve put a personal touch on my store would be an understatement. This shop is my baby, and I absolutely love what I do. I feel so incredibly privileged to be able to call the shots and put my creativity to use, whether that be sourcing items, building displays, or styling photoshoots. My mom and my grandma passed away before they had the chance to visit Ransack, but they were my inspiration and still are to this day. The memory of my early days treasure hunting with them lives on and I now am able to share that experience with my customers here at Ransack.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Having a brick-and-mortar in this day and age is weird, I’ll tell ya. If someone would have told me before I opened my doors that a virus causing the entire world’s population to go on mandatory lockdown was a thing, I probably would have thought twice before opening a physical location. Covid was a hard time, for sure – ask any small business owner. While a lot of people were doing their best to enjoy their time off and getting bored reorganizing their furniture at home, I was busting my ass to just barely keep the shop afloat. I’m so grateful though for the incredible community that we have built not just here in Oceanside but also across the country that continued to support us online during that time. This community is what keeps us open and what allows me to live out my dream while providing for my family.
As you know, we’re big fans of Ransack Vintage. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Ransack is a vintage clothing store located in Oceanside, California. We offer true vintage clothing from the early 1900’s to the late 1990’s. While we appreciate most styles of clothes, we are particularly fond of the Western Americana aesthetic. Our shop is filled with vintage Levi’s jeans, denim jackets, cowboy boots, trucker hats, paper-thin tees, leather and suede jackets, pearl snap button-ups, sterling silver jewelry, Edwardian whites, and much more. We buy vintage from the public and offer either 30% cash or 50% store credit of our retail price. You can call us at (760)688-2295 or direct message us on Instagram to make an appointment to sell your true vintage clothing. We sell vintage online on our website (www.shopransack.com) and will post new arrivals daily to our Instagram story (@shopransack). We hold vintage pop-up markets in our parking lot every other month, showcasing the goods of other vintage sellers and local artisans. Our next market is scheduled for Saturday, February 10 from 11 am-4 pm.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
For those starting out in any business venture, my advice would be to just keep going and don’t give up. Things won’t always be easy, but your hard work and perseverance will pay off if you stay committed and focused on your goals. Also, it’s important to stay true to who you are and what you vision is. It can be easy to try and imitate or be something you’re not, but your customers will appreciate your authenticity more than anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopransack.com
- Instagram: business: @shopransack personal: @gurl.scout
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ransack-oceanside?osq=ransack
