Pictured: A look inside of the vibrant rabbit RABBIT store located in the Rosemary District. Photo courtesy of Amanda Gilliland.

Part of creating a vibrant and unique store is finding pieces that align with the store's vision. For rabbit RABBIT that vision is to provide their customers with sustainable pieces that catch the eye of anyone passing by. Located in the Rosemary District, rabbit RABBIT offers a space to pick up a gift made by indie artists worldwide. Everything within the store is carefully picked to ensure that products are ethically made. Amanda Gilliland, owner and creator of rabbit RABBIT shares her path of curating her pieces and aligning her business with her vision of how she wants to live in the world.

What books are you reading now that expand your business perception?

I read more for pleasure than for business. However, I have picked up some field guides that provide a deep dive into their respective areas. The blog Remodelista has been grabbing my attention recently. It is based in the Northeast and has a cozy vibe--an ideal read during the holidays to get into the mindset, even when it’s still 80 degrees outside.

Share one of your business bucket list items.

I am currently welcoming my sister as the community outreach coordinator. Being involved in the community is truly important to us–we are planning more events and giveback nights to make those connections. Supporting the community and nonprofits helps Sarasota grow. In the past, we worked with the Fabulous Arts Foundation, they are a great organization with a great mission to foster the arts while amplifying LGBTQ+ voices.

What inspired you to create rabbit RABBIT?

Starting up as a popup during COVID, I saw rabbit RABBIT as a way to do something creative and fun and I loved that it brought people together. I enjoy the journey of piecing together the sourcing, the artists, and the individual philosophies behind every piece, it is like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle. This curation process speaks to my personal philosophy, it is fun to buy gifts for yourself and others but when we do that we must think about where these things are coming from.

How do you source your items?

I go to satellite fairs that feature up-and-coming artists and designers. Also, I keep an eye out for artist's various blogs and social media platforms. With every piece that makes it to the store, I want to make sure I know where these products are being made, how they are being made and what materials are used.

Pictured: A look inside of the vibrant rabbit RABBIT store located in the Rosemary District. Photo courtesy of Amanda Gilliland.

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