We recently connected with Sarah Pavia and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

In my work with women, I often hear that they’re “stuck” and “unsure” of what they are doing and/or want to do next. My answer is always the same: what has always brought you joy, that you’ve never had to work that hard at? That just comes naturally to you, with a built-in skillset that makes you great without even trying? Better yet – is it something you’ve thought about over and over again, and can’t seem to shake it? That is what you’re meant to do. That is your dream come to life. For me, I have always loved garage sales, antiquing, repurposing, upcycling, and most important – styling. I was working at a hardware store when I was younger and every paycheck I would take instantly to shop for the coolest looks. I loved thrift stores, and I was always setting up some type of shop in my parents home where my invisible customers could cash out their purchases. As I grew older, I was often complimented on my style – particularly my workwear. I decided to start taking pictures of these outfits I was making from thrift stores, boasting that the entire thing cost me $5 (I loved that part). I found influencers who were writing blogs in 2011 – right when blogging was starting to strike – and I decided to follow suit. While they often showed finds from popular stores, I was showing unique pieces found at the thrift. I would often get the “I wish you could shop for me!” or “you always look so pulled together – wow, that’s from a thrift store?!” This brought me to an instagram platform where I continued to show off these outfits. Then one day I realized – I COULD shop for other women. I was at the thrift stores enough that I could easily curate a collection that others would be interested in, and could purchase. Better yet – I could offer styling services. Home decor (most of my home is decorated with secondhand finds), clothing, books….you name it. Your own personal secondhand stylist, and I would also continue to show my own outfits in the process. My personal brand and image has been consistently known as “Secondhand Sarah” – I was trying to think of a name for this business, and while talking it through it was said out loud ‘well think about the options and then take a second look”. That was my aha moment – Second Look was born. I walk my brand every single day – I’m always wearing something thrifted, and I have helped women all over the country find their own personal style through secondhand items I have sent their way. I do live and virtual shopping events, speak at seminars, and more – my tagline has become “living thrifty doesn’t mean living less” and I practice that every single day. Your choice of secondhand is a sure and immediate way to increase your positive carbon footprint on this planet, and it is a message I love spreading every single day.

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

I do everything for Second Look on my own – marketing, content creation, event planning, shopping, shipping, etc. My trade is not in business or in the fashion industry – these are all organic skillsets I have either honed and seasoned over the years, or things I have taught myself. I’ve put myself in many circles to try and form collaborations and partnerships to further my business – sometimes I’m told no, and I am comfortable with hearing it. A no is just a jumping point for a conversation to a YES in some other form. It’s taken discipline to grow my brand and consistency to do so – I am very proud of the brand I have built for myself, authentically grounded in who I am and what I love. There are many places I go in Rochester where people will say “hey you’re the thrift girl!” or “hey it’s Second Look Sarah!” It happens all the time and I love knowing that my brand has inspired others to shop secondhand and think differently about their own practices. Beyond that, I am proud of the countless women I have helped feel comfortable again in their clothes. My favorite client, and very good friend Sarah, is a blind woman I met who was struggling to learn how to style herself without vision. She felt uncomfortable in her own skin and unsure – through careful sessions together, Sarah formed her own unique look, felt more confident than ever, learned how to understand the lines of her body and how to dress appropriately, and a bangin wardrobe that she rocks to work. My job is to shop for you, style you/your home, but ultimately to make you feel GREAT. It doesn’t matter what the label is on the clothing you’re wearing – it doesn’t matter the size either. What matters is how YOU feel, and how YOU wear it. The power of secondhand is finding those amazing items for less, and knowing you shopped sustainably in the process. I sell clothing, art, homewares, shoes, furniture, and more – I also do upcycled designs on secondhand items with my Cricut vinyl machine. My biggest community is on Instagram, where I post daily secondhand tips/pictures/more to help continue spreading the good word about a secondhand lifestyle. Pop on over at @sarahsecondlook and let’s get to know one another! I also walk in fashion shows and model secondhand clothing on the runway – I style other models in my shop finds, too!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Authenticity. 100%. I’m not someone talking about a subject matter that I’m not vested in – I LIVE my brand every single day. That has grounded my reputation as someone worthy of trust within my market, both locally and nationally. If you hear the excitement in my voice when I talk about this – it’s because it’s real. If you see me smiling in my reels while I’m thrifting – it’s because I love what I do. Audiences are real, and they want real people to follow. If you’re going to invest in yourself, invest in something that you don’t have to try to be – invest in who you actually are.

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

Throughout my journey with Second Look, I have always held a professional 9-5 (and then some) position. I have found creative ways to build Second Look’s growth into my schedule over the years, and ensure it’s longevity. This has taken diligence and consistency – and also growth. As a self-taught owner, I am constantly teaching myself new things and working toward goals. It has taken tremendous resiliency to bring Second Look to where it is in many facets (social media following and engagement, my Poshmark following and repeat buyers) and I am proud to say that all has come from the unwavering belief in myself, and in the belief that my message is one worth sharing.

Contact Info:

• Website: *launching again soon – currently under construction*
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarahsecondlook
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069976563020
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-beth-pavia-a7477764/

Image Credits
Shelby Triglianos Photography Brandon Vick Photography