Rising Stars: Meet Greta Hillstrom

Today we’d like to introduce you to Greta Hillstrom.  

Hi Greta, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Greta Hillstrom, I was born into a family of ten! I grew up on hand-me-downs and thrift store clothes, and hand-me-downs that originally came from the thrift store. 

We are a very resourceful and creative family; my Mom shared with us her love of thrifting and garage sailing. She is the most resourceful woman I know! She could create anything out of what we had. 

When I was 17, three days after graduating high school, I moved to Alaska from our tiny cornfield town in Cokato, Minnesota. I had never even been on a plane, but I have always been very adventurous. 

From there, I never stopped traveling. In ten years, I have had over 25 addresses all around the United States, picking up seasonal work to support myself. I’ve lived in Alaska. Arizona, Wyoming, New York, Connecticut, North Dakota, Florida, Texas, Minnesota, and finally Michigan. I have so many homes! 

The funny thing about me is that I have never been interested in business. I am totally a free spirit! But my business started in 2018 when I was at a thrift store. I came across a Tory Burch romper that was $6. (Retail $200.) I would have never worn it but I couldn’t NOT buy it because it was only $6. When I got home, I listed it on Poshmark and it sold in the same day for $50! I think I heard angels singing. This is the day my life changed — A flip inside of me switched, and I began selling everything in my closet. 

The rest is kind of history! I fell in love with providing service and bringing joy to people! Long story short, I blossomed into a storefront in Michigan called Fancy-free in 2020. Fancy-free means “free from commitment.” And our motto is “Never settle on a style.” 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
More like a roller coaster that I am still riding! Owning a small business is not for the faint of heart. It has been one of the most difficult challenges in my entire life, but also the most fulfilling; I wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

I didn’t have any training on how to operate a business— fancy-free wasn’t a planned thing; it was more of a love child born from passion. 

Since I didn’t have any training or education, I kind of consider my first two or three years my “education.” Experience is the best teacher and let’s just say I’ve learned a lot of very expensive lessons along the way! I consider this my “tuition.” 

To be honest, I still struggle in many areas but I am learning things every single day. Even on a day with no sales, there is still something to be gained in business. 

I am far from a perfect business owner, but it’s a very fulfilling thing to be able to provide to my community, and I am grateful to have a supportive community! 

My greatest struggle is balancing the finances because I’ve always been a creative. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Fancy-Free, we celebrate creative expression in ALL through curated resale, live music, and local art! 

Fancy-free means “free from commitment.” 

Our motto is “Never settle on a style.” 

Our MISSION is “To stoke the wildfire of creative expression!” 

Without this mission, fancy-free would not be here. It is this mission that drives me to get up in the morning and keeps me moving on difficult days. 

What does this look like? 

Fancy-free is a home for ALL, but more specifically it is a home for all artists and musicians, and creatives. If there is one thing I know how to do, it’s nurture a creative spirit. This is because I am one! And we all are! But the world tends to suppress this, and that’s where our mission comes in. 

Fancy-free is the most musical retail store that you will ever step foot into — because we host three weekly music events! 

On Tuesday mornings, I host a Music & Movement class at Fancy-Free for toddlers from 10:30-11:30 AM. 

During this hour, we dance and read and sing and play, and we open up the windows and let the music into the street! 

On Thursdays, I host an open jam for adults from 5-8p. 

We gather in a circle with our instruments, and we pass a tambourine in order. When you have the tambourine, it is your turn to share what’s in your heart. It does not have to be a song; it can be a story or a poem or a secret or a dance. Someone shared yoga and had us all doing different poses once! It is magical because everyone brings something different to the circle! It is a very warm and supportive circle, and everyone looks forward to it. My favorite part is that no two jams are the same. They “ebb and flow” because different people come every time! 

On Saturdays, we host LIVE MUSIC and SALES from 12-3p! This is a very special day as well and we call it “Christmas at fancy-free!” (We have Christmas EVERY Saturday!) It’s magical because I book a lot of musicians who are performing their first show ever! This is my way of telling them, “Share your music with the world; we are listening!” fancy-free is the best, most laid-back, and supportive place to practice performing for the first time! I love being able to book musicians for their first show, it’s similar to pushing a baby bird out of their comfy little nest and watching it fly. 

I have also started a band called the fancyfreeks! The concept is that it’s a band that ALL are welcome to join, so our band members ebb and flow! 

We are a band that’s free from commitment. 

Join us for a song, a set, or for life! 

Our mission is sharing music to spread joy. We just played our first gig at Brookridge Heights Retirement Community! We want to bring music out of people, because we don’t share music to be the best, we just share music to spread joy! 

So, I guess that’s what I am proud of and what we are known for. Unfiltered creative expression in many forms! 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I love this question! 

Well, I sell clothing, and people will always need clothing! 

I want to be on all online platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Spotify with both music and podcasts. I will also have a website with information and shopping. 

People tell me that brick-and-mortar shops will be closing down, but not mine because we need a place to dance and sing! 

My goal is to share creative expression and inspiration as far and as wide as I possibly can! That’s what I was put on this earth to do, and I hope that the world is a more musical and creative place because I was here. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: fancyfreehq
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyfreehq?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Bryan Adams