Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rossanna Ceccato. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Rossanna 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?

Picture this: It was a typical day in the fashion world, and I’d been knee-deep in fabrics, trends, and designs for 15 years. But something was bothering me, something deeper than the ever-changing landscape of fashion. It was the growing impulse fueled by social media – the desire to never be seen in the same outfit twice. Suddenly, a beautiful garment was worn once and relegated to the back of the closet, only to meet a tragic fate in a landfill.

Donating was a nice thought, but the harsh reality was that our beloved quality pieces, even with tags attached, were worth mere pennies on second-hand platforms. It was like a bad deal for cherished fashion items.

But I recalled the good old days of swapping clothes with my cousins, a fun and sustainable way to refresh our wardrobes. Swaps had always felt like the fairest, most sensible way to transform your closet without breaking the bank. Yet, I quickly realized the world had changed since my cousin-swap days. People have unique styles, preferences, and body shapes – the one-size-fits-all approach just wouldn’t work.

So, there I was, with a closet full of dresses, an Instagram following, and an audacious idea. I invited my online fashionistas to my place, and together, we traded our barely-used clothes. The dresses I’d purchased were different sizes and styles, ensuring that there was something for everyone to exchange. The fun and sense of community was palpable.

And that’s how the concept of Redress was born. A digital platform where users could breathe new life into their cherished, high-quality clothes by swapping them for fresh additions from our constantly evolving inventory. We weren’t just creating a business; we were sparking a sustainable fashion revolution where fashionistas across the world could embrace their unique styles without harming the environment.

The logic was simple, really. Redress was born out of a need to address the fashion waste crisis, offering a unique approach that put power back into the hands of the fashion-forward. We knew it would work because it combined the nostalgia of our past, the sustainability of the present, and the promise of a better fashion future. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be part of a community that values style, sustainability, and fun? Redress was our answer to the problem no one else was solving, and it got us, and our fabulous followers, incredibly excited.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Let me paint you a picture of who I am and what Redress is all about.

I’m Rossanna Ceccato, the driving force behind Redress, a groundbreaking clothing swapping platform that’s taking the United States by storm. With over fifteen years of experience in the fashion industry, my journey has seen me navigate the worlds of retail and wholesale across Colombia, Venezuela, and the US.

My journey began with a degree in CPA and Business Administration from Santa Maria University in Venezuela. However, I soon veered off the corporate path to dive headfirst into the dynamic and ever-evolving world of fashion. In my homeland, I became one of the largest fashion wholesalers, making a mark in the industry.

But life had other plans for me. Escalating violence and political turmoil pushed me to make the tough decision to leave my beloved Venezuela and embark on a challenging journey to the US. It wasn’t a walk in the park, but I persevered. My relentless drive for innovation led me to prestigious institutions like Wharton School of Business at UPenn and Stanford University, where I proudly earned certificates in Entrepreneurship.

As a member of the Founders Institute’s 2020 Miami cohort and an alumni of Babson WinLab, I’ve transcended the title of a mere fashion entrepreneur to become a bona fide change-maker. I’ve even had the honor of gracing the TEDx stage, where I showcased how Redress is rewriting the rules of fashion consumption.

Now, let’s talk about Redress. It’s not just a platform; it’s a revolutionary concept. We’re a sustainable solution to clothing waste, a vibrant community of style-conscious individuals, and a testament to my unwavering passion for positive change. Redress is on a mission to transform the fashion industry, one stylish swap at a time.

So, what’s the problem we’re tackling? In the world today, 1.4 billion pieces of clothing are traded on secondhand platforms each year, while a whopping 9 billion pieces languish in US closets. It’s a startling waste.

The problem we’re addressing is the unfair secondhand deals for women. Even quality pieces with tags attached barely fetch reasonable prices when sold on consignment platforms, often leaving sellers with minimal earnings after months of listing.

The solution? The Redress Trade-in Platform. We’ve created a B2C platform where users can trade in their garments and immediately get almost-new pieces directly from our catalog. No more hassle with another user to complete a transaction.

Our value proposition is simple but powerful. By simulating an initial offering critical mass, Redress has created a one-sided marketplace, constantly renewed by the trade-ins of its own users. Our clients renew their wardrobes in real-time, recouping up to 90% of the original cost of their pre-loved garments in an equivalent or even better piece. And, all of this while they help the planet by extending the lifecycle of clothing and reducing fashion waste.

What am I most proud of? It’s seeing the positive impact we’re making on fashion sustainability and witnessing our vibrant Redress community grow. Our mission is to help the planet, one stylish swap at a time. What sets us apart? We’re not just a platform; we’re a movement, and we invite everyone to be a part of this stylish, sustainable revolution

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

Allow me to paint a fuller picture. Being the CEO of Redress is not just a role; it’s a journey that’s tested the limits of my determination. For me, this journey is especially unique as an immigrant, Hispanic woman, and a first-time entrepreneur at this scale.

My initial venture in my home country, Venezuela, was a success. However, a tough decision loomed as escalating violence and limited opportunities for my children pushed me to migrate to the United States. This marked the beginning of a daunting journey to rebuild my life from the ground up.

The journey’s first hurdle was language. I had conversational English skills, but mastering the US startup ecosystem meant embracing new concepts and articulating them with my distinctive Sofia Vergara accent. I found myself studying with a dictionary by my side, considering every linguistic challenge as an opportunity for growth.

However, the hurdles extended far beyond language. Navigating the landscape as a woman, especially in the male-dominated VC industry, brought its own unique challenges. Overcoming stereotypes from investors meant dismantling misconceptions about my role and transcending the notion that my involvement was limited to selecting garments. As an immigrant woman, demonstrating my visionary leadership and business acumen remains an ongoing battle.

Yet, perhaps the most formidable task was the battle of self-conviction. Choosing to lead Redress and challenge the fashion industry’s status quo was an intimidating decision. Even when skepticism and disbelief surrounded me, I remained steadfast in my pursuit of greater impact. Instead of opting for the easier path of returning to a small business owner’s role, I chose to pioneer change through Redress.

In essence, my journey as Redress’s CEO is marked by unwavering determination. The trials posed by my immigrant background, Hispanic heritage, and role as a pioneering woman entrepreneur have only strengthened my resolve. These challenges have fueled my mission to steer the fashion industry toward greater sustainability and inclusivity. Through this journey, I’ve discovered that barriers can be surpassed with unwavering perseverance and that achieving dreams is the result of an unbreakable promise.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Alfredo and I crossed paths during my involvement in the Founders Institute idea-stage acceleration program, where he took on the role of one of my mentors. As the program concluded, I formally invited him to join Redress as an advisor, contributing to the development of our concierge MVP. Several months later, over a casual beer and fueled by his evident enthusiasm and dedication to the project, I posed the unexpected question of him becoming both an investor and co-founder. The query caught him off guard, nearly causing him to choke, but he managed to respond with a resounding: “I WOULD LOVE TO.”

Matias, is my partner in crime and life, and I met him in Colombia eight years ago during one of my business trips. The instant spark between us was undeniable. With his extensive background in working with startups, he became one of my prime inspirations for launching Redress. Convincing him to come aboard wasn’t a walk in the park; he acted as a devil’s advocate, thoroughly scrutinizing my idea. After some introspection, he looked at me and declared, “Rossanna, you’ve discovered the way to scale the bartering business, WHERE DO I SIGN”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.myredress.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myredressofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myredressofficial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myredressofficial/

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