Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sharon Weber. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sharon, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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.
After having Bariatric surgery in 2018, I was left with a fair amount of clothing that no longer fit. I became aware of Poshmark through a few Instagram influencers. It was so easy to take a quick photo and suddenly my XXL t-shirt was available for purchase! This practice slowly gained momentum. Then I became pregnant. We needed to make room for our little girl, so I really started selling faster. The more I posted, the more things sold. I was working in long term healthcare as a Recreation Director, and I stopped working due to me being considered “high risk” and “geriatric” (I was 39, but whatever).
The pandemic hit a month before I gave birth. I was home with my daughter and feeling depressed about the state of the world. I decided to ask friends if I could start selling their items. In addition to making my friends some money, it was a fantastic mood boost for me. I sold someone their wedding dress. I found someone their engagement shoes. I bought someone a travel wrap who was going through Chemo. These happy people were little wins for me. And when you’re depressed as all hell, any win is a good thing.
As my daughter needed an entirely new wardrobe every three months, I started selling her clothes as well. Then it occurred to me: I live in one of the most densely populated cities on the planet. Many New Yorkers don’t have the room to store piles of clothes. That’s when I realized I could turn this into a business. By going into people’s homes, I look through the items they no longer want, and sell it for them. I offer a tiered commission scale, and typically offer a higher payout versus large online consignment stores. I also provide the entire package – I check comps, steam, photograph, and list to multiple platforms including Ebay and Vestiare Collective. This consignment service is one that is uniquely New York, although I do accept clients from out of the NYC-metro area, as well.
Sharon, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
We all have our piles of clothes we no longer want. The ones we tell ourselves we’ll donate/give to our family member/will fit into when I lose some weight. But those piles aren’t benefiting anyone. I have a friend who is a Professional Organizer – another one-woman run business! She really put things into perspective for me, in terms of deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. I try and use that methodology with my clients. If you haven’t worn it in a year, let’s consign it. If you’re waiting to fit into those jeans, let’s sell them and buy jeans that fit right now! If it’s an item for your friend’s baby, let’s check in – they are most likely no longer a newborn, a year after you set aside those clothes. And the best part about the entire consigning process with me? I do all of the work. I steam, photograph, research comps, write descriptions, and upload to multiple reselling platforms. All the client has to do is wait for their monthly consignment payout! I provide the solution of space. Space to bring in items that are meaningful to you, mental space to think about things that actually matter. With a clear space and clear mind, this allows the client an opportunity to look towards the future and not feel regret on getting rid of those boots from 2003. It’s a freeing feeling.
In addition to the selling of my client’s consignment pieces, I also provide personal shopping and sourcing services. I take full advantage of the rich sample sale scene New York has to offer, and document my findings on my Instagram. It’s a lot of fun and it really allows me to be creative while being informative at the same time. I throw in makeup and skincare reviews, as well as fun day-in-the-life moments with my husband and daughter!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I went to school to become a Recreation Therapist. I wanted to work with seniors with Dementia; I just love them as a population. It was so challenging and fulfilling at the same time. As I rose to the role of Recreation Director I was often butting heads with colleagues for because I wanted to change things and bring innovative ideas to long term care settings. Unfortunately, many people in healthcare, and in many fields, don’t want change. It was a sobering thought, realizing the work did in school, didn’t necessarily matter, in the grand scheme of things.
When I became pregnant, I had to quit, and that’s when the reselling business idea really blossomed. I had regret for several years that I was turning my back on my career in Recreation Therapy. But with my own business, I can be the innovator. I can be creative. I can be the change I want to see. And I can continue to help people. That’s what matters most.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
It’s important to be aware of the types of people you surround yourself with. For years, I had very low self esteem and would surround myself with those who fed off of that. This practice continued while establishing myself in the reselling and sample sale community. People who I’d never met, had an incredible hold on me. If they said an idea I had was terrible, then it absolutely was. Some of these so-called “friends” and I nearly went into business together. It wasn’t until I came to the realization that I had the potential to be more successful without others, that I was finally able to break away from the negative opinions and people in my life. I’ve since surrounding myself with people who support me and cheer on my successes. But they also are honest with me in a way that builds me up, and not tear me down. Ultimately, a strong support system its key to starting any new project.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.metromakeupmaven.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metromakeupmaven/
