We recently connected with Payton Samudio and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Payton thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The Thrift Thru is symbolic of my life and therefore is who I am. From an early childhood, I was introduced to thrift stores and yard sales by my fashionista-on-a-budget grandmother and mother, so sourcing vintage and high end items on a budget became natural to me. When COVID-19 hit, and people were economically impacted, I left the corporate world and decided to take the leap of faith and start my passion project: The Thrift Thru. The decision to launch The Thrift Thru stemmed from both a personal passion and a desire to address the issues of fast fashion. I envisioned it as a solution to promote individuality and creativity while combatting the negative impacts of ever changing fashion trends.

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.

I am the owner of The Thrift Thru, a vintage resell shop located near downtown San Antonio. The Thrift Thru is a cool and eclectic shop with a retro vibe. From women’s and men’s fashion to charming children’s apparels and distinctive home decor, we’ve curated selections that caters to everyone. We are on a mission to help customers discover their unique individuality while embracing sustainability for generations to come.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I’d say one of the most transformative journey of being a business owner is unlearning self-doubt. Trusting in my creativity and recognizing the importance of my vision become paramount. I believe that recognizing that you are unique, and only you can manifest the dreams in your mind, empowers you to turn aspiration into reality. By letting go of societal expectoration and silencing negative sel-talk, you lay the foundation for success, unlocking your full potential and paving the way for a journey that is authentically yours.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Launching The Thrift Thru on Instagram in 2020, I built an authentic audience through genuine engagement and visual storytelling. By consistently sharing the unique finds and the story behind each piece, I connected with like-minded individuals who appreciated the eclectic charm of the vintage pieces I source. Leveraging Instagram’s visual appeal, I cultivated a community, drawing in followers who resonated with the brand’s authenticity and passion for sustainable fashion. I believe we succeeded by staying true to our brand’s values, actively adapting content asked on audience feedback, and making The Thrift Thru a relatable and trustworthy presence in the vintage resell niche.

Contact Info:

• Website: thethriftthru.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethriftthru?igshid=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg==

Image Credits
Photographer: Olivia Orona