Can you really build a thriving business from vintage fabric, personal grit, and a stack of rejection letters?
In this episode of She is a Leader, we’re joined by Kira Hartley Klinger—a writer, vintage fabric reseller, and accidental entrepreneur whose journey started as a teenage mom in an abusive marriage with more pennies than a dollar in her pocket. Today, she’s debt-free, living on a five-acre farm, running a bustling Etsy shop, and inspiring thousands with her bestselling books and one-of-a-kind stories from estate auctions.
From rejection slips to reality TV pitches, Kira has seen it all—and she’s turned every wild plot twist into momentum for her business. Whether she’s uncovering vintage treasures under a staircase or managing thousands of Etsy sales with personal notes in every package, Kira brings honesty, humor, and hard-won lessons to every part of her story.
You’ll learn how Kira Hartley Klinger built a business from chaos, the systems and mindset she uses to stay steady in the resale world, and how she maintains deep customer relationships while scaling—plus what it really takes to sell vintage Playboy magazines at auction.
If you’ve ever thought it was too late to start over or too hard to stand out, this episode is your reminder that a good story, some stubborn optimism, and a whole lot of heart can go a long way.
Kira's Fabric Wars books:
👉🏻https://a.co/d/fhQBaMU
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This podcast is sponsored by AskYvi.com. Some links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
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🌟 Meet Kira Hartley Klinger
Website: http://www. etsy.com/shop/DodOddity
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Kira-Hartley-Klinger/61553488285041/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dododdity/
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🌟Connect with Yvi
https://instagram.com/askyvi
https://www.facebook.com/AskYvi/
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🏆 Highlights 🏆
00:00 | Introduction
🌟Connect with Yvi
https://instagram.com/askyvi
https://www.facebook.com/AskYvi/
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🏆 Highlights 🏆
00:00 | Introduction
03:38 | The turning point that led Kira Hartley Klinger to believe in herself
07:19 | How Kira discovered vintage fabric resale by accident
10:00 | The Hustler and Playboy magazine story that made it into Kira Hartley Klinger's book
13:34 | Navigating shady auctioneers
17:23 | Confronting unethical auction practices
22:09 | Managing resale chaos and feeding the algorithm
25:07 | How Kira Hartley Klinger maintains personal connection
27:54 | Advice from Kira for women starting in vintage resale
07:19 | How Kira discovered vintage fabric resale by accident
10:00 | The Hustler and Playboy magazine story that made it into Kira Hartley Klinger's book
13:34 | Navigating shady auctioneers
17:23 | Confronting unethical auction practices
22:09 | Managing resale chaos and feeding the algorithm
25:07 | How Kira Hartley Klinger maintains personal connection
27:54 | Advice from Kira for women starting in vintage resale
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