New: My sister and I were laid off. We started a small business to survive.

• My sister and I were both laid off from our jobs around the same time as our parents died.
• We decided to start a small business, selling vintage items, which is something our mom taught us.
• The small business is helping us through unemployment and face the grief.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1, 2026 — What began as a coping mechanism for two sisters laid off from their jobs has grown into a thriving vintage business. After losing their mother and later caring for their elderly father, the pair turned to estate sales, thrift shops, and antique malls, inspired by their mother’s lifelong passion for collecting.

They established Travel Far Now Vintage on Etsy in 2023, transforming grief and unemployment into opportunity. One sister manages packing, shipping, and accounting, while the other uses her sharp curatorial eye to uncover unusual treasures at estate sales. Together, they discovered joy in the hunt and healing in the process of giving old objects new life.

My sister and I were laid off

The business keeps them energized against the lethargy of layoffs, with tasks ranging from sourcing and cleaning to listing and connecting with clients. “Consistency is key,” they note, as each day brings new discoveries and customers searching for nostalgic items that connect them to the past.

Beyond commerce, the venture has become a tribute to their mother, who taught them how to spot value in forgotten items. Clients often share stories tied to purchases, reinforcing the sisters’ belief that they are “memory merchants,” dealing in nostalgia and healing through vintage objects.

Operating the shop has strengthened their bond and provided a therapeutic outlet, proving that resilience and creativity can turn personal loss into a meaningful enterprise.

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