Our Featured Partner: Sarah Wilson
Furnishing Families of Texas relies on our partners’ generosity. We are truly grateful to our financial supporters and those who make in-kind donations. Estate sales have also served as a source of gently used furniture and household items. This all comes from Sarah Wilson and her clients at Sarah Sells It, her estate sale business.
Our introduction to Sarah came about organically though Mercedes Sparks, a family friend of the Wallnaus and VP of Operations at Lance Learning Group. In 2021, Mercedes was visiting a local estate sale and struck up a conversation with Sarah. They discussed Sarah’s business and what happens to items that don’t get sold. Mercedes suggested partnering with Furnishing Families of Texas and shared Annabelle’s contact.
Sarah recalls of talking with Annabelle:
“I said, look, y'all can take it all, but I just need you to take it ALL.”
That includes furniture, lamps, dishware, etc. which fits the template for our demographic needs, as well as large ornate pieces of furniture that are harder to place. There are also random items you would find in someone’s pantry, closet, or garage. Annabelle agreed and found different channels to appropriately distribute, sell or dispose of the items we do not use.
Sarah says:
“I think it's a really good service across the board. It helps you all…families in need…it helps me as a service. It definitely helps the family (her clients).”
Two years in, we are thrilled with the whole operation. Furnishing Families also hires Tylynn Richards to clean the home once our team has cleared everything out. Sarah has been impressed with our effort and excellence.
Consignment has also proven to be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Many of Sarah’s clients in the DFW area are wealthy and have large, beautiful homes. This provides quality furniture for us to receive and it is a great venue for reselling certain items to estate sale hunters. In the past, fitting larger items has proven to be an issue at delivery time. Annabelle has decided that large and/or high value items make more sense to be re-sold with our share of the profits (50%) going toward the operation and purchasing more practical pieces. This is a win/win situation as we are able to move out unused inventory and make room in our warehouse, as well!
While Sarah also helps families liquidate a home after a family member passes away, most (about 80%) of her at-home-sale clients are people moving across the country or down-sizing their homes. We are grateful to receive from these families. Those who are interested in Sarah’s services can see her latest deals online or join the “First Dibs Club” by visiting her Facebook Business Page: “Sarah Sells It.” She is also listed on Estatesales.net.
Sarah shares her appreciation of FFOT:
“You know, you have a really, really good heart…and everything you do is with good intentions. I feel good about what y'all do and it benefits a lot of people.”
We look forward to the future together and continuing our estate sale and consignment partnership. Thank You, Sarah!