The day started just like any other for Perry Meridian seniors Dominic Compton and Chris Montiero. They got through their morning classes and arrived at lunch where they began talking about different ideas. They shifted through topics before Montiero pitched an idea that became a brand-new business. “Chris brought up that he wanted to do a vintage festival where people sell vintage clothing,” Compton said. “I really thought it was a good idea.”

The two budding entrepreneurs spent the rest of the lunch period searching for upcoming festivals to start their venture. Compton eventually found a festival at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and they signed up for a booth on the spot. “It was one of the biggest [festivals] in the United States,” Compton said. “We got really lucky just to get in.”

The date was set and time was working against the novice seniors. They had just three weeks to establish a brand, gather product and set up a stand. After taking a few days to brainstorm, they decided on the name Era Emporium to build their brand on. The pair then began working on sourcing products to sell. They knew there would be experienced competition with people coming from all over the United States to sell vintage items. “We knew we would have to stand out,” Compton said. “We wrapped our whole booth in gold paper.”

After countless hours of hard work and preparation, the day finally came. Compton and Montiero woke up early and began setting up their eye-catching booth at the fairgrounds. Immediately after the rest of the vendors arrived, the two noticed another way they could stand out from the competition. “All of the prices were really high,” Montiero said. “We did not agree with this.”

Even though they had already chosen what their new business was going to be, this revelation gave them a purpose. “We want to sell things that people can be comfortable in,” Compton said, “But we also want people to be able to buy our items.”

After calming their nerves, and finding their purpose, the business began to take off. “We became more comfortable talking to people. Everyone wanted to support [us],” Montiero said.
Their combination of affordable prices and great customer service worked. Era Emporium was a success.

Shortly after the first venture, the duo began reaching out to local businesses to try to set up ‘pop-up’ shops. The plan was for Compton, Montiero and their vintage threads to be found for one day, somewhere around Indianapolis. After reaching out to many different places to host their pop-up stands, they finally got permission from Caplingers, a restaurant located just a few minutes away from Perry Meridian High School. “I got to talk to Mr. Caplinger about it,” Compton said, “He really loved our idea.”

With a date set, the budded entrepreneurs got back to work procuring vintage wares. “We just want to keep the ball rolling,” Compton said.

The two did just that as their second event blossomed even more success for the young company. “We really love what we are selling and what we do,” Compton said.

The new merchants are already looking to the future. “We can keep going until we graduate,” Montiero said. “Seeing how successful we are now, we can just keep going.”

Montiero is currently taking entrepreneurship classes, learning skills he is already applying to how he builds and maintains Era Emporium. Compton plans on attending Indiana University of Indianapolis to study at the local branch of the Kelley School of Business. Both seniors are looking to apply their experience with Era Emporium in business-related careers.