We were lucky to catch up with Maryanne Rackl recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Maryanne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

The biggest hurdle to staying profitable in my business is Instagram’s wild algorithm! Since I rely on it to sell my vintage finds and promote my pop-up events, keeping up with the changes can feel like a full-time job. Even with 10,000 followers, only about 300-400 people actually see my stories on a good day. I’m always playing around with fun things like stickers, polls, and slider bars to get people engaged, but if I post too many stories, my visibility drops. People think having a big following equals instant success, but honestly, battling the algorithm to get my content and event promos seen makes a huge impact on my sales—whether online or at my pop-up events.

Maryanne, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Find Your Threads Co. started in July 2020 as my Instagram-based thrifting and reselling business. When the pandemic hit, I had some extra time to dive into one of my favorite hobbies—thrifting. I’ve always loved hunting for secondhand treasures, and there’s nothing like the thrill of finding those perfect, one-of-a-kind pieces. What started as a side hustle quickly turned into my full-time gig, blending my passion for fashion and sustainability.

I focus on selling vintage and preloved clothing from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, with a mix of comfy granola vibes and casual chic. Each piece is handpicked with care, offering something special for everyone. Alongside selling online through Instagram, I also do pop-up markets in the NC Triangle area, which has been a blast! It’s great to connect with people both online and in person.

What sets me apart? I like to think it’s my unique curation. I don’t stick to just one style because I’m all about mixing it up. If I love it, I sell it! I think that shows in my collections, and people really respond to that passion. My goal is to offer affordable, sustainable pieces that make my customers feel excited about adding something new and unique to their wardrobe.

What I’m most proud of is my entire journey—from side hustle to full-time business. If you had told me five years ago that I’d be doing this, I wouldn’t have believed it! I never thought I could build something this creative. Every day, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come, and it just gets me excited for what’s next.

As for what I want people to know: my goal is to promote sustainability without encouraging overconsumption. I aim to keep my pricing fair and competitive, so more people can enjoy amazing vintage finds without the high price tags. I also hope to build a community within my brand that champions both sustainability and inclusivity for all.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I first started Find Your Threads Co., I literally started with the clothes in my own closet. It was the middle of the pandemic, and with all the thrift stores closed and everyone social distancing, I figured why not start with what I already had? So, I began selling pieces from my wardrobe. The money I made wasn’t anything crazy, but it was enough to keep going. Once restrictions lifted and I could hit the thrift stores again, I reinvested every dollar I earned back into the business to start building up my inventory. In those early days, 100% of my profits went straight back into sourcing more inventory. Every thrift trip felt like a treasure hunt, and I was able to slowly but surely grow my collection. It wasn’t a fast process, but I stayed patient, knowing that each new piece I sold was a step toward growing Find Your Threads Co. into what it is today!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Being a one-woman show and running my business solo is no joke—it’s tough! There are so many days where things don’t go as planned. I’ve had Instagram sales that totally bombed, days where my story views are a joke, and in-person markets where I barely made enough to cover my booth fee. But I stay resilient because I know that this job is always going to have ups and downs. It’s unpredictable, and that’s just part of the ride. I’m willing to push through because when things do go well, it’s all worth it! Even if I only sell one item in an Instagram sale or a handful at a pop-up event, I feel fulfilled knowing my sustainability mission is making an impact. Plus, hearing people compliment my booth setup and clothing curation always reminds me why I love what I do.

For me, resilience is about pivoting and finding new ways to get knowledge about my shop and brand out there, whether it’s trying a different approach online or discovering new pop-up markets. I try to see every “down” moment as a learning opportunity—a chance to grow, improve, and be the best version of myself. At the end of the day, I know that every setback is just part of the process, and I’m ready to take it all in stride.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findyourthreadsco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080267076552
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrackl

Image Credits

Credit for images belongs to me.