We were lucky to catch up with Giselle Aguayo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Giselle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Since i could remember i never had even a clue of what i wanted to grow up to be. i never knew what career would fit me or what i truly cared to do for the rest of my life. i never did the school thing so i didn’t go to college & study for “a real job” like most of my class. I spent a few years working odd jobs & searching for something that i would be passionate doing for the rest of my life. see cause i didn’t just wanna settle for something that made me a lot of money, i wanted a career i could wake up excited for everyday. I always seemed to gravitate to retail jobs the most especially when it came to clothing stores. Over time i started to accumulate a lot of clothes , besides working for clothing stores i had been thrifting since i was 13 years old so i definitely acquired a huge closet of options. it was roughly 2014-2015 when i decided i should start selling stuff from my closet since i had so much stuff that didn’t fit or just wasn’t my style at the moment. It started out as just pieces from my closet & it evolved into me just sourcing for items to sell. Prior to me selling i was always working on my sewing ability, once i added the reselling aspect to it the picture became clearer to me. My business has evolved with time , it’s still primarily me reselling Vintage pieces but i’ve also added more handmade unique pieces & im going back to school to be a certified Tailor.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

hmm..I never saw my business as something that would solve problems for someone, but I guess in a sense I do. My brand is about escaping to a different world, when I have people on my website or my IG I hope they get transported to a different time or place in their life. For me that’s what my brand is , a form of escapism. I get lost in the nostalgia , the fabrics , the things i research & so much more. My brand isn’t just about selling clothes to me , its about having an experience with me. I want people to feel good wearing my pieces , i want them to love & make new memories either with my vintage pieces or a handmade item. I’m constantly trying to surround myself with things that motivate me or bring inspiration. I thrift a handful of times a week , mainly to source but to also bring inspiration to a new piece i haven’t yet thought of. sometimes ill make mood boards on Pinterest or make big paper boards with old magazines. One of the simplest of ways that i get inspired is by my favorite movies , usually it can be about a piece someone is wearing or a print that catches my eye. I’m also a huge Barbie collector so im constantly getting inspired by her many fashion looks. I think these characteristics set me apart from the rest, i dont see it as a competition in any way. Everyone works differently & we all offer something to the world.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Consistency is KEY! Find your aesthetic or a certain way you’d like people to see your brand. Its also not about having a million followers, but having real people who WANNA know about you or your brand. Make sure your pictures are clear & always send a message to your clients about the item you’re promoting. The most important thing is to always HAVE FUN! don’t take it too serious, grow your business but don’t forget to enjoy the little wins.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Always keeping my clients happy, we of course cant please everyone but i damn well try! I try to always accommodate myself for them & meet any deadlines they need. I offer alteration services as well so im always close to my clients & keep them updated through out the time it takes me to finish a piece. Its very nice to keep them in mind as well when sourcing some people really love that! Maybe you find a gorgeous chanel purse & you know the PERFECT client who would just love that! Build a foundation with them , build that trust & soon you’ll have a huge list of clients before you know it !

Contact Info:

• Website: www.glittersvintage.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/glittersvintage
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/glittersvintage

Image Credits
Handmade Bags by GlittersVintage Special Thanks to Yuli Special Thanks to Thalia & Giselle