Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katie Walkenhorst. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Katie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Re/Styled was born out of my love for shopping, fashion and clothing + my commitment to sustainability, sprinkled with a little entrepreneurial spirit. I have always loved to thrift. At one point in my life I thrifted for financial reasons, then I continued to thrift because it was fun! It’s like a treasure hunt. I get a rush of dopamine when I discover a great find or a perfect piece for myself or a client. Simultaneously, my desire to live a sustainable life started to emerge. I take pride in making less trash, dressing in second hand items (while also looking trendy and stylish, of course!), using solar energy, and sustainable products and all around conscious consumerism. Statistics are not favorable for the environmental impact of humans and our depletion of the earth resources, and the fashion industry is the 3rd largest environmental polluter – only behind the fossil fuel and agricultural industries. There is currently enough clothing on the planet for the next 6 generations of humans – we rarely need to buy new items. I believe in thrifting but I also understand that not everyone has the patience, creativity, or time to search sites like Depop and FB Marketplace or peruse thrift or consignment stores. It can be overwhelming and unappealing for some individuals. So I decided that I could do the thrifting for them! I am on a mission to grow the slow fashion movement and entice more people to choose circular fashion by letting me thrift for them!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi Canvas Rebel readers, I’m Katie your personal thrift shopper! I help individuals be more mindful with their fashion purchases by curating style bundles of pre-loved clothing items for them specifically in alignment with their style inspiration. Most of us understand the environmental impact of the fast fashion industry – allowing me to handpick a Re/Styled bundle for them helps people start their slow fashion journey without them having to do any of the shopping! I created this service to foster a mindset shift for individuals and encourage them to choose circular fashion. Style boxes like Stitch Fix have grown in popularity – Re/Styled bundles offers the same satisfaction of a personal shopping service yet it’s even more impactful as it supports a circular economy in the clothing industry. I am proud of my ingenuity creating this unique service and the way it allows more individuals to participate in conscious consumerism.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I honestly still have trouble considering myself a creative! I think I have long wanted to be considered that way but hadn’t found my niche – until I came up with the idea of being a personal thrift shopper! Clothing not only allows you to express yourself but it also promotes confidence. We’ve all felt that way at one point – when we feel good in our clothes it lifts us up and empowers us! And I am having so much fun enabling that feeling in others. Clients fill out a detailed consultation form, send me a style inspiration board or photos and I then interpret their answers and images into a bundle of items for them. Past clients have been grateful with how I’m able to build up their confidence and allow them to be their best. That is quite rewarding for me. All the while we’re helping the environment! It’s a win, win, win!

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

Yes! I have a booth at our local flea market. Historically, my thrifting would result in excess purchases. Clothing items that didn’t fit quite right but I just couldn’t leave them in the store, or too many decor items that ended up feeling cluttered in my home. Now, if I see an appealing item but it doesn’t work for my current clients, I am able to purchase it and resell it at my booth. Stocking the booth is a fun endeavor and I love sourcing items in various places along my way in life.
I am also planning to host clothing swaps as another arm of the Re/Styled business.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restyled_circular_fashion
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1WuqdnBDtr/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/re_styled