Lynne and Ty McDaniel, owners of An Orange Moon

For couple and business partners Lynne and Ty McDaniel, their 6-year-old An Orange Moon, their uber hip vintage furniture and design shop, has become a focal point in the developing WOW or West of Western District in Chicago. They have carved a niche in acquiring and selling high-end Danish and American Mid-Century Modern furniture. Some of the designers the shop carries include Herman Miller, George Nelson, Harvey Probber, Jens Risom and Hans Wegner. Rolling out had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Lynne, and this is what we learned.

You’ve been appointed the title, “the goddess of WOW.” That is a pretty heavy responsibility. What do you think of that?
The “Goddess of WOW,” which was bestowed upon me by one of the business owners that I brought into the WOW District, Richard Biasi of Richard’s Fabulous Finds, a shop that sells designer men’s vintage clothing. I enjoy having the title. I’ve brought in six businesses so far and get calls daily asking about the district, people and history of the community. It helps people identify me; they gravitate toward me and I find them locations, business spaces in the community. The community is developing and I am here to make sure that our WOW District community continues to grow and prosper.

Tell us about the unique name.
“An Orange Moon” is from the Erykah Badu song “Orange Moon.” My husband, Ty McDaniel, “The king of sourcing,” was instrumental in choosing the name and the vibe of our shop. He’s developed a design eye some people can only dream of having. Our client base encompasses all of Chicagoland. We sell and ship all around the world. Our secondary stream of income is interior design and estate liquidation. We’ve liquidated estates for Martin Luther King Jr.’s attorney, Lorraine Hansberry, and Rabi Simon in President Obama’s Hyde Park neighborhood.

Tell us about the Small Business Revolution.
The Small Business Revolution (http://smallbusinessrevolution.org/story/an-orange-moon/) is a film that is circulating the country that depicts our small business story. We were selected through a tier method and we won! We are proud to be a part of the Small Business Revolution, championed by the Deluxe Corporation.

What are some of the challenges you have found in opening a small business?
Your small business is you! If you have a small business, you are the face of your business. It is important that you remember these three things: Customer Service, Customer Service. Customer Service. It’s your voice they hear. Your face they see. Respect your customers and they’ll respect you.

www.anorangemoon.com
An Orange Moon 2418 W. North Avenue • Chicago, IL • 60647 773.276.ORAN •[email protected]