We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rebecca Bahmani a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rebecca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

At Prelove You, we diverge from the industry standard by focusing exclusively on circular fashion for children’s clothing through a membership-based model. Unlike traditional retailers, we don’t sell products. Instead, we encourage families to exchange their children’s outgrown or unused clothes, awarding credits based on quality and condition. These credits allow families to shop for “new-to-them” clothing without spending extra money, creating a continuous, sustainable cycle that reduces waste.

What makes this model particularly special is that it not only promotes sustainability but also fosters a sense of responsibility in our members. We reward even those garments that have seen their last day with one credit, ensuring that they are upcycled through our partnerships with organizations that repurpose fabric for insulation or other creative endeavors. This approach keeps clothing out of landfills and teaches families that even the smallest effort can contribute to a more responsible future.

A story that stands out is from a family who initially sent in clothing they were unsure would be of value. They were amazed to learn that even worn-out pieces could be upcycled, making them feel empowered and connected to the larger mission of sustainability. This shift in mindset shows how small actions, encouraged by our model, can have a lasting impact. By diverging from the industry’s usual “buy-and-throw-away” cycle, we are reshaping how families approach clothing consumption and teaching them that every piece of clothing has value in the larger picture.

Rebecca, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Prelove You is all about rethinking how we approach children’s fashion by introducing a sustainable, circular model that helps parents keep up with their kids’ ever-changing wardrobes. The inspiration behind launching Prelove You came from my personal experience as a parent, constantly watching my children outgrow their clothes at a rapid pace. Combined with my background in the fashion industry, I saw an opportunity to create a better solution that didn’t rely on buying new all the time. This insight led me to enter the world of circular fashion. I wanted to create a platform that allows families to responsibly upcycle their kids’ clothing while saving money and resources.

Prelove You operates as a membership-based platform. Parents send in their kids’ outgrown clothing, and in return, we award credits that can be used to shop for new-to-you items from our curated selection. It’s all about keeping quality clothes in circulation and reducing waste. We also support upcycling efforts by partnering with organizations that repurpose worn-out clothing into insulation or teach women to create new garments from old fabric.

What sets us apart is our community-driven focus and our commitment to sustainability. We’re not just selling products; we’re fostering a circular system where families can continue to dress their children in great clothes without contributing to the waste cycle. Our tagline, “Dress the Future Responsibly,” embodies this mission.

I’m most proud of the impact we’re having on both families and the environment. We’re giving parents a practical way to extend the life of their children’s clothes while also teaching the next generation about responsible fashion choices. I want potential clients to know that when they join Prelove You, they’re joining a movement. We’re nationwide, we ship directly to our members, and we’re passionate about making a difference—one wardrobe at a time.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The journey to creating Prelove You was driven by a clear vision: transforming how families approach children’s clothing by adopting sustainable behaviors. But like any innovative idea, changing well-established habits didn’t come without its challenges.

Early on, one of the biggest hurdles I faced was convincing families to rethink their shopping patterns and embrace circular fashion. Many parents, accustomed to buying new clothes as their children grew, were skeptical about a model centered on swapping and upcycling. But I knew this was the future—both for their kids and for the planet.

The first few months were tough, especially with summer slowing down momentum, but I remained persistent. I kept educating members, sharing the long-term benefits, and making the process as simple and engaging as possible. The resilience paid off when I saw families not only adapting to the concept but actively embracing it. Slowly but surely, they began to view Prelove You not just as a convenient option, but as a responsible choice for the future.

This shift wasn’t just about shopping; it represented a broader adoption of values. Now, when I see parents excitedly contributing to the Prelove You community, sending in clothes, earning credits, and shopping more mindfully, I’m reminded of the initial challenges and how resilience fueled the change. It’s rewarding to know that, together, we’re reshaping habits and dressing the future responsibly.

Have you ever had to pivot?

After years of working in the fashion industry as a Sales Director in both the designer wholesale market and textiles, collaborating with hundreds of renowned designers, I found myself constantly grappling with the rapid pace of change within the sector, especially as it related to waste. My career had allowed me to work closely with some of the most established brands, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the industry needed a drastic shift toward sustainability. As a mother, I was acutely aware of how quickly children outgrow their clothes, and the piles of barely worn garments piling up at home added to my frustration.

The turning point came when I realized that no existing solution effectively addressed this waste, and I knew I needed to make a bold change. I decided to pivot from my traditional role and pursue something that aligned with my passion for circular fashion and sustainability.

With this vision in mind, I founded Prelove You, a platform designed to revolutionize the way parents shop for their children’s clothes. Prelove You offers an entirely new shopping model—one that promotes the reuse and upcycling of children’s clothing. By creating a membership-based system where parents can send in outgrown clothes in exchange for credits to shop for other items, Prelove You provides a sustainable, cost-effective solution to what was once a major household challenge.

The journey wasn’t easy. As a founder, I had to wear many hats and navigate the complexities of launching a new business model. But with persistence, partnerships, and a clear mission, things began to take shape. We launched just over three months ago, and now that the summer lull is behind us, we’re seeing the momentum build.

Through Prelove You, I’ve been able to merge my experience as a Sales Director in the designer wholesale market and textiles with my desire to make a tangible difference in the world. As I look ahead, I am more committed than ever to building a future where fashion is circular, sustainable, and responsible for the next generation.

Contact Info:

• Website: Https://preloveyou.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preloveyoukids/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Prelove-You-Kids/61553880338900/

Image Credits

Headshot – Shane Nelson