We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dominique Dizon-thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dominique, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

In everything I do, I try to keep it real and make space for everyone. When it comes to my business, that means offering size-inclusive options because I truly believe everyone deserves to feel seen and included. Moreover, what’s surprised me the most on this journey are the connections. The people I’ve met, both vendors and customers, have been the real reward. Through Threaded Stories, I’ve crossed paths with so many amazing folks here in Denver, and it’s those moments that make everything feel worth it. If I leave behind any kind of mark, I hope it’s this: that I was kind. And, hopefully, real—someone who made others feel welcome, without judgment or hesitation, and someone whose existence encouraged people to be the same.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m the owner of Threaded Stories, a size-inclusive vintage and secondhand clothing business. I’m a Filipino immigrant, and everything I do here is fueled by the belief that self-expression isn’t just a choice—it’s a birthright. This belief is woven into everything at Threaded Stories, where sustainability and individuality go hand in hand. To me, vintage and secondhand clothing aren’t just items—they’re stories waiting to be told. And those stories? They come in all shapes and sizes. Fashion isn’t just fabric. It’s a statement. Every body—no matter its shape, size, or color—deserves to be celebrated and free to share its unique tale.

I’ve always felt frustrated by how the vintage and resale world doesn’t really cater to a wide range of sizes. As women, it’s discouraging to walk into a vintage market and not find anything that fits. I know that feeling all too well, which is why I make sure to offer vintage and secondhand clothes in every size. Bodies come in all forms, and every body has a story worth telling.

I also offer a Thrift Box service. A lot of my clients are moms who either don’t have the time to shop, can’t stand shopping, or have gone through body changes and just don’t know what looks good on them anymore. Some are in a full-on fashion rut. Clients send me their measurements, a bit of inspiration, and I go thrifting for them. It’s honestly one of the most rewarding parts of what I do—helping people fall back in love with dressing up again.

You can shop my pieces online via Instagram, at pop-up markets around Denver, or find me at Circa Vintage in Old Colorado City, Colorado Springs.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is that if things aren’t going well in the business, it doesn’t mean I’m failing as a person. I’ve had days at markets where I pour hours of preparation and energy into setting up, only to spend the entire day in my booth, selling barely anything—maybe just two items—leaving me barely covering my booth fee. It’s crushing, honestly. There are moments when it feels like all my effort is wasted, and I want to walk away, give up on everything.
But I’ve had to remind myself that my worth isn’t tied to my sales, or the ups and downs of this journey. The truth is, trying and failing are as much a part of being human as succeeding. It’s all part of the process.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

No, not really any books, or videos, or essays. It’s people. If there is one thing that I have learned about growing my business, it’s to make friends. You know what they say, “It’s not what you know but who you know.” I think often as business owners we could fall into the trap of thinking that other business owners are competitors, but I’ve found the complete opposite; other business owners – especially the ones who do similar things as you- could be your biggest teammates. It takes some humility to ask for advice from other business owners who could be doing better than you – but it my experience, those relationships have been some of the most priceless resources I have. I hate the term “networking” because it kind of implies an ulterior motive, but making genuine relationships with other business owners is really valuable. Through the people that I have met I’ve received great opportunities and learned some of my best practices.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/threaded.stories
• Other: https://linktr.ee/threaded.stories