Thank you so much to those of you who have been in touch about supporting ReThreads after yesterday’s post! I’m back to share some more information about this new venture, answering some of your Frequently Asked Questions.

Okay, so what is ReThreads?

ReThreads is an eclectic and affordable reuse shop opening in Charlottesville in early spring 2013. Our goal is to offer affordable, good quality secondhand items: clothing & accessories for men, women, children, and your home. We accept items for consignment during open business hours and there is no fee to consign with us. Spread the word!

What is consignment?

ReThreads accepts items on consignment. This means you can clean out your closets, bring us good quality clean saleable items, and we’ll sell them for you. Once your item sells we’ll give you 50% of the sale price in store credit (half that if you want cash). Thanks to ReThreads, you can make space for the things that you love, and let your gently used items find a great new home! We also work with local artisans to sell reuse-related crafts on consignment.

What makes you the right person to run this shop?

I’ve been on this journey for about three months, or thirty years, depending on how you look at it.

I was raised with a strong “use what you’ve got” ethic and have developed keen resourcefulness and thrifty sensibilities. All my life I’ve loved shopping at reuse stores, and over the years I’ve made a pretty penny by buying cheap and reselling – either through consignment stores or online with Craigslist, Amazon and Ebay. I’ve helped organize “Freemeets” and regifting parties. I love stuff, but I’m not a hoarder! The difference is that I can easily let stuff go on to the next home just as easily as it came into mine. In fact, I believe that is what stuff is naturally meant to: move through the world to find the right place at the right time, and move on when it starts to feel stagnant or incompatible.

My professional background has offered me a variety of interesting work over the years, and along the way I developed business savvy and skills that I am excited to put to good use for this venture. For instance, I’ve helped many small startup businesses with low-cost marketing, event planning, and bookkeeping. I’ve run my own businesses and developed the necessary time management and multitasking skills. I’m a fast learner. I am nothing if not resourceful. And while I’m risk-averse (financially, physically, etc.), I do love a good challenge. Fulfilling my dream to be on the other side of the check-out counter is my newest challenge.

I have worked enough jobs that don’t fulfill an inner passion to know how special it is to love what you do everyday, and make a living doing it. After moving to C’ville last fall, it became obvious that I am passionate about starting a reuse shop. Those of you who know me know that once I get an idea in my mind, I am 110% committed to it. Some might call that stubborn. I prefer the term determined.

And after committing to this idea, the universe has steadily provided for me every step of the way. You say you want to run a reuse shop?, says the universe, Well then, here are some people to give you things for free; here are the keys to a storage unit; here’s a store closing down whose fixtures you can buy. And on, and on. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s get back to more questions.

I thought you were a farmer?

I loved farming in Scottsville, VA last season. I will miss growing my own food this season. But now is not the time for Mark and I to give up everything that this small city offers to own farmland far outside of town. And while I may not be tasting my own tomatoes in 2013, there are several ways in which this new business will resemble last year’s farm business:

1. I won’t have a desk job. I’ll be physically active during the day instead of sedentary and staring at a computer screen.
2. I’ll manage my own hours/be my own boss. This has been a necessity for me since I left my full time consulting job in Manhattan six years ago. Plus, I think I’m good at running the show!
3. I will spend a large portion of my days interacting with people. As a farmer, I loved selling at the farmers’ market because of the interactions with customers. I loved getting to know the regulars, chatting with produce buyers at the stores where we sold our items, and just being more social than most of my freelance jobs allowed.
4. The challenge of being an entrepreneur/figuring things out as you go/holding on for the ride. I’m in!

But do you have any retail experience?

Technically my only retail experience is as an occasional marketing consultant for a friend who ran a shop in Burlington (Hi Tracy!). I may have rung up a customer or two at the cash register when my friend was otherwise occupied, but I’m not sure that qualifies as much (or any) experience. That is to say, I acknowledge that I have a lot to learn about the ins and outs of running a retail store. But, for those of you who didn’t believe me the first time, let me say this again: I’m a fast learner. And I’m ready to approach this new challenge head on and learn everything I need to know to be successful.

Again, my farm experience is helpful here – I’ve run many successful farmers markets. Everything I’ve learned, from how to interact with customers to how to set up a display table, will be helpful in this new venture.

My first farmers’ market in Burlington in 2007

So there you have it, the answers to five frequently asked questions. More interesting and hopefully entertaining answers coming tomorrow including: What do I need money for? and How will the store help the community?

As always, I am very appreciative of any contribution amount – even $5 will help me buy store supplies!