Local Lovin': Wandertruck

I'm shopping smaller and more local with every passing day from the food we're eating, the products we are using in our house and especially, especially the gifts that I am giving this Holiday season. It is one of the easiest ways to make a difference in your local economy and to a local entrepreneur so it's really a no brain-er. When I heard about Wander Truck, I was intrigued and obviously wanted to learn more about what drove (get it?) owner Laura Sylvester to start her mobile business full of wonderful American made wares. She sent me some of her favorite items from the truck and we chatted about what she's doing now and where you can meet up with her this season!

Give us a little background as to how Wander Truck came about. What initially drove you to start your traveling brand?

Before starting the Wander Truck I worked in marketing for a tableware brand that sold wholesale to specialty retailers nationwide. Through that job I gained a lot of experience working with small boutique owners and though I had always wanted to open my own store, I was very aware of the challenges that come with a traditional brick and mortar location. I thought the mobile boutique concept would be a novel way to bring the shop to the customers, instead of the other way around.

When you curate your products, where do you take inspiration from? What inspires you?

Originally, I started out stocking brands that I knew and loved or found at trade shows. I was focused on the categories of jewelry, accessories and home goods...basically anything you could try on without needing a dressing room. Space on the truck is tight! Now I mainly stock brands of makers I have met at events or through instagram. I also keep an eye on popular trends and then try to find someone who is putting a new or different spin on these trends and producing them on a smaller, handmade scale.

I love the way that you have shaped your business. You're taking shopping small and local and combining the two. What do you love about this? What is a struggle?

I love working with other small business owners who have found a way to do something they love either in place of or alongside their 9-5 job. I love the flexibility the mobile store provides! One weekend you may find me at a music festival, other days I'll be set up near the beach or in Boston proper. The variety and ability to meet customers from all over Massachusetts is fun. Struggles...well there is the obvious one of driving a big delivery truck on narrow city streets! Also the truck drives really slow so I am always hogging the slow lane on the highway when I go somewhere. Another big challenge is the weather. If it rains people won't venture out to most of the events I participate in, because they are outdoor events.

What do you love to do in New England, when you aren't busy running your business?

My favorite thing to do when I'm not busy with Wander is to head to Peaks Island, Maine, with my family and our two dogs. Ice cream, lobster, bike rides, wooded walking trails, lazy days on the beach...it's got everything you need.

Teddy and his Town and Country Play Mat

You have certainly found some fantastic early success! Where do you see Wander Truck headed in the future?

Thank you for saying that! It hasn't been easy. I had a baby a year and a half into starting this business and have had to figure out a whole new way to operate. Being a one woman show and "momprenuer" isn't easy. But the most exciting thing we have on the horizon is the holiday pop up at Boston Winter in City Hall Plaza. We'll be operating out of a chalet in the Christmas village from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. The location will be open every single day, except December 25th, so that will be an exciting opportunity and a big change to the way I am currently operating out of the truck.

 You can check out Laura's schedule for the Wander Truck here or you could even book the truck for your girls night out or office party. I'll definitely be on the lookout when we hit Boston Winter, where Laura will be popping up from November 24th through December 31st. (Hours are Monday thru Thursday - 11 am to 8 pm; Friday & Saturday - 11 am to 9 pm; Sunday - 11 am to 6 pm. City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA)... I can't wait to meet Laura and the Wander Truck in person!

You can follow Wander Truck on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and of course, Instagram!