Curating Elevated
Gatherings
Coaching
Events
Education
Stationery
Experiences
Gatherings Coaching Events Education Stationery Experiences
Blending vintage charm with modern strategy is my joyful focus. I take the beauty of the past—like tactile paper and warm traditions—and power it with contemporary methods to help your small business thrive.
What is Modern Meets Vintage?
My modern meets vintage philosophy is the creative foundation of my work, uniting my deep affection for the tangible past with the strategic needs of the present.
I take my personal love of old things, events, and all things paper (the tactile feel of beautiful stationery, the warmth of handwritten correspondence, and the tradition of unique gatherings) and fuse it with a modern approach that drives results. My work is, at its core, about cultivating joy and creativity. I create a space that encourages the fun of design and celebration while delivering strategic and effective services that genuinely help small businesses grow and be successful. In short, I deliver classic, heartfelt quality powered by contemporary strategy.
Retail Summit 2026
Get ready to ditch the drab and dive into actionable details at the inaugural modern meets vintage Retail Summit 2026! It's your full-day pass to retail brilliance, happening Monday, March 16th, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
We're taking over BAYarts, a gorgeous, creative spot nestled in the Cleveland Metroparks, to bring boutique, retail, and gift store owners together for a day of serious business growth (mixed with serious fun!). Your ticket is a steal, covering expert-led sessions, a full spread of breakfast, lunch, snacks, tasty drinks, and, best of all, a FREE 30-minute coaching session to kickstart your success! Come network, connect, and snag a goodie bag overflowing with surprises.
Keynote.
Unlocking Creativity Through Limitations: exploring how everyday retailers can transform everyday constraints like space, budget & brand guidelines into opportunities for innovation and creative customer experiences with Corrie Sullivan of Corrie in Color.
Sessions.
Elevate your brand with expert Jen Jones Donatelli of Creative Groove. This masterclass offers a deep dive into leveraging press for powerful exposure and visibility. Includes comprehensive, insider training on successfully pitching your products for major media gift guides too!
Female Founder Strategy with Dora Rankin: Join the author of The Heart Sell to learn key growth strategies and business coaching tips specifically focused on driving sales and marketing success.
Discover how to generate more revenue and increase foot traffic for your store by hosting diverse events, including successful pop-up events. Learn the strategies from Tara Tonsetic of modern meets vintage.
Maximize your business's potential with efficiency expert Kathy Cruz of The Savvy Shopkeeper! This session on Streamlining Operations will teach you how to leverage data and analytics—not just track them—to actively design more efficient systems and save valuable time and resources.
Get ready for a refreshing session on branding with Maddie Harbert of Yikes Design, where you'll learn actionable strategies to differentiate your brand and truly make it stand out from the competition. Harbert will guide you through the process of refining your brand's core identity so you can capture attention and resonate deeply with your target audience.
EVENTual Space Course
Start Today
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Start Today ☆
The Art of Building
Event Income
Ready to double-dip and make your space work twice as hard for you? Turn your existing business space into a cash-generating event venue with the EVENTual space: The Art of Building Event Income. This course is your no-nonsense guide to launching a profitable second business within your first. We'll cover everything you need, from contracts and partnerships (the legal and friendly stuff!) to pricing, staffing, and marketing that actually gets people in the door.
Stop letting that space sit idle and start turning it into an income-producing machine! Your space is bursting with potential, just waiting to be unleashed! The EVENTual space is your guide to turning it into a celebration of income!
Event Coaching
for entrepreneurs
Looking to host an event that actually drives revenue and results? Leverage my 24+ years of expertise in event planning, creation, and execution to transform your ideas into profitable realities. As a certified small business coach, I offer specialized event coaching services focused on helping you master everything from securing sponsorships and forming strategic partnerships to managing your event space and generating a crucial second source of income through both small events of all kinds and pop-up events.
Whether you're planning a corporate function, a vital small business conference, a high-stakes fundraiser, or an engaging retail summit, I've successfully managed them all. My strong background spans corporate functions, fundraisers, conferences, summits, and more. I’ll equip you with proven strategies for generating unique revenue streams within your events and ensure every detail, from concept to closing, is handled efficiently. Stop leaving money on the table; let's build events that are memorable, impactful, and financially successful.
Offering 1-on-1 session packages (in-person or via Google Meets) as well as a deep dive into all things for YOU through a Strategy Intensive Day (aka VIP Day).
Stationery Wholesaler
Looking to refresh your inventory with stationery that truly stands out? I'm here to help you curate a selection of exquisite paper goods for your retail store, boutique, home & garden center, hardware store, and more! I proudly represent exceptional European-based stationery lines, including the sophisticated, made-in-England designs of Katie Leamon, the charming and quirky, Scottish-slanted cards of Wee Wishes, and the classic, elegant Italian papers from Rossi 1931. I can guide you in selecting the perfect mix of everyday cards, beautiful wrapping paper, journals, and specialty items that align with your brand, ensuring your shelves are filled with products your customers will adore. I'll make the wholesale ordering process simple and strategic, helping you maximize your profit per square foot.
Contact me today to get these amazing brands in your space!
Calligraphy Classes
I offer modern calligraphy classes designed to spark your creativity through beautifully curated, fun, and laid-back events. Learn to write your own stunning wedding stationery, level up your hosting and gifting skills, or simply enjoy starting a new side hustle with pretty writing!
Custom Wrapping Pop-Ups
Injecting a dose of modern-meets-vintage charm into your retail space, consider hosting a custom wrapping pop-up that transforms gift-giving into an exquisite experience. We'll curate an opulent selection from high-end paper lines—think rich textures and timeless patterns—perfectly paired with luxurious ribbons, bespoke bows, and sophisticated enclosed cards. These aren't just gifts; they're objets d'art, finished with thoughtful, festive touches that capture the nostalgia of a handwritten note and the polish of contemporary design. Elevate your brand's presence and delight your patrons by booking this unique service for your next holiday season, a special trunk show, an anniversary celebration, or any event demanding that extra layer of memorable sophistication.
About Tara
With 24 years of experience as a highly accomplished leader, Tara is a driving authority in event management, marketing, and business development, specializing in building and sustaining vibrant creative communities. She truly finds joy in what she does, putting her heart into every project. Her why is simple: to help others make a difference in their business.
She provides expert services—driving growth, forging strategic partnerships, and ensuring project success—for organizations like 78th Street Studios, BAYarts, Collective Arts Network, and The Hall at St. James.
Tara’s unique blend of an entrepreneurial mindset and strong know how ensures every project she touches delivers powerful, mission-driven results. She is also paper obsessed and thrilled to be launching new endeavors in this area.
Her personal happiness checklist? Red Sox wins, a great romance novel, the thrill of finding an antique gem, travel, John Hughes movies, and, always, a good nap with a side of chips and salsa.
Tara lives in University Heights with her husband, son Noah, their dog Fenway, and their twin sister kittens, Stevie + Lindsey.
Let’s Connect!
Got a brilliant idea? Need a strategy that actually works? Drop me a line! I'm genuinely passionate about helping businesses like yours make a difference, and I’d love to hear what you’re up to. Let's carve out some time to chat over a good coffee and a sweet treat—we’ll figure out the powerful next steps for your business, no boring meetings required!