We recently connected with Melissa Ochowicz and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Melissa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

In February of 2020, I held the keys to what felt like the beginning of a dream…our very own storefront. It was the culmination of years of passion for fashion, thrifting, and building a family business. We had plans, excitement, and a vision of opening a women’s high-end consignment store that would bring something new and needed to Oshkosh.
And then, just weeks later, the world shut down. COVID-19 swept across the globe, shuttering businesses, canceling plans, and leaving us all with a heavy sense of uncertainty. I remember sitting in that empty store, terrified. What would people think if we opened a consignment shop in the middle of a pandemic? Was it irresponsible? Would anyone even walk through the doors? We were risking everything…our time, our savings, our energy, on a dream that suddenly felt fragile.
But on the very first Saturday of June 2020, we took a deep breath, unlocked the doors, and opened anyway. There was fear, yes… but also hope. Hope that people would understand our vision: a place where women could find beautiful, high-quality clothing and home décor at prices that made sense in an unpredictable economy. A place that was about more than shopping…it was about community, sustainability, and giving items a second life.
The early days were anything but easy. Every sale mattered. Every kind word from a customer fueled us. Slowly, we saw women embracing what we had created. They weren’t just shopping…they were supporting us, rooting for us, and reminding us that even in the hardest seasons, community carries you through.
Now, more than five years later, we’re still here. Still standing. Still offering the same passion, care, and love for fashion and people that we started with on that uncertain June morning. Looking back, I see that opening during the pandemic wasn’t just a risk—it was a statement of faith. It was believing that beauty, connection, and resilience could thrive even in the hardest of times.
And today, as I walk through the store filled with the energy of consignors, customers, and a community that has grown with us, I’m grateful we turned the key and took that leap.

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.

We’re a family-run business with a shared passion for treasure hunting. Whether it’s the thrill of finding that perfect dress, a timeless designer bag, or a unique piece of home décor. For years, thrifting and resale was one of our favorite hobbies, something we did as a family for fun. In June 2020, we turned that passion into a dream come true: our own high-end women’s consignment shop right here in Oshkosh.

With the help of more than a thousand consignors across the Fox Valley who have partnered with us over the past five years, we’ve curated a collection of gently used and new designer items offered at just a fraction of the original price. Our love for fashion runs deep, but so does our belief that great style shouldn’t come with a steep price tag. We wanted women to have access to beautiful, high-quality clothing and home décor…pieces that inspire confidence, creativity, and joy…without the pressure of designer-level prices. By offering high-end items at accessible costs, we’ve created a space where women can explore their personal style in a welcoming and approachable way.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

In the world of consignment, trust is everything. From the very beginning, we knew that if we wanted to build a loyal clientele; both consignors and shoppers, we had to be rooted in transparency, fairness, and honesty.

For our consignors, that means clear communication about how the process works, what items we accept, and how payouts are handled. We want them to know that their pieces are valued and treated with care, and that every step of the process is straightforward. When people feel respected and confident that they’re being treated fairly, they’re eager to return and consign with us again.

For our shoppers, honesty shows up in the way we price and present items. We don’t inflate values or disguise wear; instead, we pride ourselves on curating high-quality pieces at prices that reflect real value. Customers know that when they shop with us, they’re getting authenticity, not just in the products we sell, but in the way we do business.

Beyond the policies and processes, what has truly helped us grow is how personal we are with our customers and consignors. We know names, stories, and even life updates. We celebrate milestones with them, listen to their needs, and take the time to make every interaction feel like a conversation between friends. That intimacy has created a sense of community that extends far beyond a typical shopping experience…it feels like family.

That combination of transparency, fairness, honesty, and genuine personal connection has been the foundation of our growth. People come back not only for the unique finds on the racks, but because they feel seen, known, and valued. And in consignment, that kind of trust and connection is what keeps a community thriving.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

There are moments in business where you don’t get to choose the timing…and for us, that moment came when our original location, where we had been for four years, went up for sale. At first, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under us. We were comfortable where we were, even though our inventory was spilling into every corner and we knew deep down we had already outgrown the space. The thought of uprooting everything we had worked so hard to build was terrifying.
But sometimes life gives you the nudge you didn’t know you needed. What felt like a loss quickly became a blessing. We found a new storefront that was twice the size of our old one, with room to grow into the store we had always envisioned. Moving wasn’t easy…it was exhausting, emotional, and came with plenty of risk…but as a family, we rolled up our sleeves and did it together.
That transition taught us that pivoting isn’t just about survival; it’s about embracing the unknown and trusting that growth often comes on the other side of discomfort. Today, when we walk into our larger space and see how full of life it is…with consignors, customers, and a thriving community….we’re grateful for that push. It forced us to step out in faith, and it’s one of the reasons we’re still here, stronger than ever.

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