FAQ - How Do I Start a Shop Like This?

I often have people reach out looking for advice on how to build something like A Thrifty Notion. I struggle with how to answer because I didn’t intentionally start it. It sort of started without me and I had to catch up. What worked for me won’t work for you now. I started during a very different time, especially on social media—Instagram used to be a powerful tool for connecting directly with our audience, and that landscape has shifted dramatically. What’s working today might look entirely different tomorrow.

That said, I’m happy to share some general guidelines and lessons I’ve learned that might help you as you find your own way:

1. Don’t rent a space until you have reliable cash flow.

Renting a storefront comes with major financial and logistical commitments. If you can avoid signing a lease right away, absolutely avoid it. Start with pop-up markets, community events, or even collaborations with existing spaces. Test your skills, refine your systems, and build your customer base before committing to the costs of a physical location.

2. Consider starting online—and start small.

An online shop can give you flexibility, especially early on. Use platforms like Etsy, Ebay, Shopify, or even Instagram and Facebook to experiment with different types of products and pricing. You’ll learn hard lessons in a lower risk environment without the pressure of rent and utility bills. These platforms do come at some cost though. Decide if the traffic Etsy provides is worth what they take out of your profits - and do the Etsy math! All those little fees add up! Building your own website on a web hosting platform like Shopify or Squarespace is a great option because you’ll own your web address and not be subject to the whims and fees of a resale platform. This can be fantastic, but the setup and marketing can be daunting.

3. Be ready to do a lot with a little.

You have to walk the sustainable secondhand talk. Use what you have, borrow what you don’t, and don’t worry about making everything look “perfect” at first. People connect with authenticity and storytelling more than polished branding.

4. Inventory sourcing will likely be your biggest challenge.

There’s no one place or method for finding vintage or secondhand fabric and sewing supplies. You’ll need to get creative—estate sales, thrift stores, auctions, donations, flea markets, warehouse clean-outs, Facebook Marketplace, and word-of-mouth are all possibilities. It can be unpredictable, and that’s part of the adventure. It’s also my greatest source of stress. You just have to stay alert and persistent. You’re going to make mistakes and pay too much sometimes. It takes time to build up a feel for what things are worth.

5. The goal is simple: sell what you find for more than you paid for it.

It sounds basic, but it’s the core of any resale business. To do that, you’ll need to learn what has value, build relationships with your customer base, and create an experience that helps people understand the story and worth behind the materials you’re offering. 

6. Be prepared for slow growth.

It takes time to build momentum, trust, and a loyal customer base. Don’t be discouraged if things don’t take off right away. Just keep showing up, give great customer service, keep learning, and keep adjusting.

7. Value people

Working with secondhand items means working with the people who bought them firsthand or with their family. It’s not just stuff. There are often very big emotions involved. Many times illness and death are a part of the equation. Please be so careful and so kind.

8. Understand that you won’t get rich doing this.

I always pay my bills before I pay myself. In fact, I didn’t start to actually pay myself until year 5. Up until then, I was reinvesting my profits right back into the business. The work is tedious, and the margins are slim. The reason secondhand costs as much as it does is that it is incredibly labor intensive and sometimes… icky. If you find cheap secondhand goods in a shop, it’s because someone isn’t getting paid. Generous volunteers are the reason charity thrift shops can have low prices. Streamlining your processes and being super-efficient is the only way to make it work unless you decide to be a non-profit and run on volunteer labor.

That’s it. I wish you all the best!

~ Liv