We recently connected with Ashley Lee and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

One of the biggest challenges to thrifting and reselling and location. What you are able to source is based heavily on where you live and what people in that area are donating. If you live in a town that’s a college town and are trying to source during the summer when there are no students in town will ensure that you wont have many options available and the good available items will more than likely be marked up to high to where the ability to make a profit from reselling in unobtainable.

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, my name is Ashley I am a thrifting reseller by night and a purchasing assistant by day for a manufacturing company. I began thrifting in college when i didn’t have a ton of money to go on interviews and my internship. It allowed me to get trendy clothing and to revamp my wardrobe without breaking the bank. I then began thrifting again at the age of 30 when my mother passed away, and I began thrifting to cope with my grief. My goal is to shop for the women who don’t find joy in fashion or shopping and want it done for them, on a budget. Allowing women to look like luxury without spending luxury money. I want women to feel their best when they shop with me and wear any of my pieces curated for them.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

That just because you are friends or family with someone, doesn’t mean that they they will or have to support you and your business. I have learned the hard way , that just because someone knows you they don’t have to support your passion. When you begin a business you have to take a leap on faith, and allow yourself to find your tribe in your community who loves the product or the service that you are providing.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Luckily for myself and my niche, I didn’t require a ton of capital to begin being a reseller. I started out reselling my own pieces from my closet, and then taking clothing donations anytime anyone was giving away clothes and sifted through and resold anything I thought had value. After that, i began going to different thrift stores during their discount days, and the goodwill bins. I source for the lowest amount possible, so that I am still able to affordably be able to resell and make profit.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://poshmark.com/closet/__niftythrifty
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nifty_thrifty_closet
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nifty.thrifty.closet.fashion

Image Credits
Rashaad R Robinson