Annata: The Beginning
I’ve been in love with antiques since I was a little girl and that love turned into quite the collection over time. As an ADHD gal, thrifting quickly became my outlet and a way to get out of my own head, and before I knew it, it was a tad out of control and without purpose. Eight years ago, I started collecting with the intention of starting my own vintage rental company and my plan was to launch a company with my small collection called Simply Lavish. However, in October 2019 I was attacked by our neighbor's dog, resulting in multiple reconstructive surgeries to my face and lips. To say that these times were difficult is an understatement. The inability to eat, drink, talk or sleep wound up being nothing compared to the emotional and mental toll having my face physically altered forever, and now having fear of something I’ve loved so dearly.
In January 2023, I was given the incredible opportunity to acquire the inventory from a well known, absolutely amazing Tennessee based vintage rental company named Heirlooms. A tiny little start up turned into a massive and wonderful undertaking and Annata was born. With my new babies coming from Tennessee, and as my business took form, Simply Lavish evolved into Annata.
It’s taken two reconstructive surgeries and years of therapy to get to a point where I not only am able to love dogs again but also learn to find the beauty that comes from the horrible things that happen to us. My first baby will always be my dog Charlie, but from this came my greatest love, our twin daughters and then my newest love and baby-Annata. This horrible thing that happened to me enabled me to acquire Heirlooms and turn a little dream into a full blown company.
There’s so much more to me than what has happened to me, but it’s important to remember that when life serves you a bad hand, you can turn it into something amazing and make those dreams come true.
Some fun facts about the girl behind the vintage:
1.) My name is Destiney Benish and I am the owner and founder of Annata Vintage Rental Co.
2.) It’s pronounced ah-nah-tah and it is Italian for vintage.
3.) I collected over 8 years before taking the plunge to start Annata
4.) I fell in love with vintage and everything retro around the age of 6 when my sister got the 1995 remake of the 1959 Enchanted Evening Barbie. I LOVED her and stole her every single time
5.) Addicted to thrifting and if you have unique pieces you want to part with…I have no self control in this department.
6.) I’ve been with my wonderful husband (without whom Annata wouldn’t be here. He does so much behind the scenes!) Steve for nearly 16 years, married almost 7. He is absolutely the unpaid employee who puts way too much into it all because he loves me.
7.) We have twin four year old girls named Evie and Faye and they are our world. I love that they believe their Mama works with princesses and every time they see something pretty they always ask if it’s for “Mama’s work”
8.) I’m also a photographer! You’ve seen some of my work with Annata's Tortured Poets and Debut eras. I got my BFA in photography from the U of I and had many successful years before taking a break. I announced I was back to it in 2019 only to have my dog attack a week later. I’ve always kept shooting though!
9.) A lot of thought went into naming every one of our ladies and gents. If you look closely at the names of Annata’s fam bam you’ll see little Easter eggs of all things Destiney. My emotional support tv shows are absolutely integrated.
10.) Other tidbits: Obsessed plant mama, Disney nut (seriously, I walked down the aisle to "Tale as Old as Time" on the violin and cello), avid reader, I listen to FAR too many true crime and ghosty podcasts, lover of 90s sitcoms, Taylor Swift and Ingrid Michaelson. All things pink, strawberry smoothies and cotton candy are my jam.
Photographs of some of our beautiful ladies and gents at the original owners, (Heirlooms Vintage Rentals) Mandi Oakes wedding day. Seriously, have you seen ceremony seating look better than this?!
My first trip out to Tennessee to check out the inventory was in February 2023 to see the inventory in person. At the end of January I was looking at vintage rental companies across the country to get website inspiration for my small startup from my basement when I came across Heirlooms. I called immediately and the rest is history!
I wasn’t expecting the ethereal foggy drive into the mountains; I loved it so much.
Was it love at first sight? Why, yes. Yes it was.
The fog did me real dirty in the hair department, but WORTH IT.
Time for trip TWO! Photo of myself and my dear friend Kali made the trip to Tennessee to pick up Heirlooms inventory!
Movers hard at work loading the semi. I like to joke (but it IS TRUE) that it took a semi, a large Uhaul and five years off my life to get our inventory to Iowa, but hey, we got it here!
The trip was an exciting and amazing new venture, but it wasn’t without its tough points. A lovely fall into a ditch resulted in a sprained ankle and the re-opening of my newly healed carpal tunnel surgery scars, and a case of strep throat made it interesting!
A photo with the Tennessee vintage rental queen herself, Mandi!
Gorgeous mountain views on the way home!
As we waited for the semi’s arrival, the twins and I did some inventorying with our basement collection. They worked VERY hard. Clearly.
Finally, it was move-in day!
We’ve definitely moved things around quite a bit since the beginning as we’ve gotten shelves and more and we can’t wait to see how it continues to grow!
One of the most up to date photos of the warehouse so far!
