We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Curated Threads a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Curated , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
We are the Two Courtneys of Curated Threads…. born out of our love for fashion and getting dressed. We were already helping our friends find things to wear to events and parties. We were constantly asked, “what are you wearing to X event..” We also understood how difficult it is for people to get rid of items in their closet. We wanted to make getting dressed easier for everyone. Courtney Russell had started the business right before Covid, mainly for friends and word of mouth. She invited me on board in the fall of 2020 and without a second of hesitation I said yes. We borrowed each others clothes just like high schoolers and constantly shared our fashion picks. We have very similar styles yet different enough to bring the best looks to our clients. Our love of all things clothes and fashion led us to start the business. We got serious with a business plan, including a website and launched into social media. We’re as excited today as we were when we started. We love putting outfits together and helping people look their best. We want you to wear the clothes in your closet. Don’t save them for a special occasion. We were confident our business would work because so many people find it daunting to shop, they wear the same 3 things in their closet, they find it difficult to pack for a vacation or trip and they have no idea how to search for the perfect dress to wear to a party or event. People hold onto items in their closet for many reasons. Our philosophy is-if it hasn’t been worn in a year it’s probably time to go. Or it’s “had a good run” and “you’re better than that” Let’s get rid of it and make room for things that make you excited to wear. Our approach is unique in that we are very laid back and we truly listen to our clients needs. We want to push you a tad out of your comfort zone (that’s what fashion is all about) but we would never force you to wear something that you are not comfortable in. No matter your budget, we want you to feel good and look your best. We can do that at Neiman Marcus or Target! We love getting texts and pictures from our clients telling us how great they felt and how many compliments they received on an outfit we put together. Having an extra two sets of eyes on your wardrobe leads people to say, “I would have never put that together but I love it!”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Curated Threads wears many hats. We are wardrobe editors, personal shoppers and stylists. The bread and butter of our business is helping you edit your closet. We literally go through every hanging item and access whether it should be kept, donated or consigned. From what’s left after the purge, we put 20-30 outfits together using your clothes!! We take flat lay pictures, edit them and send them to you in a link where you can make your own look book. Our clients love not having to think about what they are wearing…they just check their look book! We also take notes and help you fill in any holes you have in your closet. An example might be, a black blazer would really help elevate some of the things you already own. We can personally shop for these items or send you links for you to order on your own. The problems we solve for our clients include- “I don’t have anything to wear, I hate all my clothes, I have difficult getting rid of items, I don’t know how to wear the things I have and getting dressed and shopping stresses me out!”
We’ve been brought to tears when our clients tell us how amazing they felt and looked after we left. What comes so easy for us does not come as easy to others. We love helping people look good. It may sound cliche but when you look good you do feel good. It can make or break your whole day. We are most proud of the texts and pics our clients send us. Or when we create a look for a client and someone tells us-I styled my utility jacket and striped shirt the same way you did after I saw your pic!
Courtney and I also love to follow fashion and shop online. That’s why we share our fashion finds on instagram and in the Like to Know it app. We give your direct shopping links to the things we love. If we love it or bought it, we want to share it with our followers.
We want our clients to feel confident in getting dressed everyday. Whether that’s running errands, the ball field, lunch with the girls or date night. There’s always an excuse to look cute and put together! We might just be the little push you need to wear those stilettos that have been sitting in the box for years waiting on an “occasion”.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Courtney Russell and I met when she was the guidance counselor at my son’s elementary school over 12 years ago. He’s now a senior in high school! I always thought she was so cute and stylish. I knew we would be fast friends. We actually got pregnant at the same time, me with my second and she with her first. We started sharing our good maternity finds because we obviously wanted to still be cute and fashionable while pregnant. We bonded over clothes and how colicky both our babies were. Courtney moved to Greenville, SC about 6 years ago but we stayed in touch and there’s honestly not another person I could imagine going into this business with. We enjoy the same music (90’s hip hop and r&b) same sense of humor and most importantly the same work ethic. We are very fast and efficient. Time is money. You should see us speed shopping at the mall! Fast friends to business partners. The rest is history!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Word of mouth. Happy clients talk and share their experience with others. Happy clients also re-book us for the following season. Getting our name out there on social media in the beginning was important. As well as being sure to post things of value to our followers. A few clients found us on social media and then they told their friends and they told their friends….You’re selling a service but you are also selling yourself. We like to make our clients feel comfortable and not pressured. We want working with us to be fun yet rewarding so we appreciate all the follows and shares.
Contact Info:
- Website: curatedthreadscloset.com
- Instagram: curated_threads
- Other: shopltk.com/explore/curatedthreads
Image Credits
Cameron Reynolds Photography