Q) elucidate us about How and why did you start your journey as a thrift store owner?

@thriftoclock: I was always interested in fashion and closet as I wanted to do something in this field only. I even surfed for various thrift hauls uploaded by Youtubers but being inexperienced and had no guidance, I couldn’t do much about it. I was motivated to start my thrift store, thinking that if adults could do then why can’t it, so I decided to open my store in February 2021. 

Q) Was pandemic one of the factors that provided you with the kick to start your journey?

@thriftoclock: Amm… Not really! Opening a thrift store was something long due for me. I had this in my mind before the pandemic, but I had no resources to bring it into action. Pandemic gave me some time to plan things out and make an outline for the store I wanted to open. 

Q) Sustaining your personal space, what kept you going with your store?

@thriftoclock: My major motivation is the fact that the store is my passion and not just work. Also, my family and friends do support me a lot in whatever I decide on with the store. How can I forget my biggest motivators, i.e. my customers and other thrift stores, who have made sure that I keep on with the good work? So yes, I have been in a blessed surrounding where people understand my work and respect my decisions. 

Q) Moving ahead with the next stage of your career, would you prefer to keep working on your thrift store? do you plan to grow it any further?

@thriftoclock: No, I want to continue ahead with my thrift store because this has been something out of my passion plus a backup to me. It is a never-ending thing for me. I will plan to expand my store gradually but right now it is okay for me to let it keep growing organically through reels and drops. Oyela has been a major factor for my business to prosper as the website is also expanding its horizon. So, I have invested my trust in Oyela and plan to move ahead with Oyela only for now. 

Q) In the entire picture of growing your thrift store, how do you think Oyela can help you further?

@thriftoclock: As I said, Oyela has a wider outreach and it drops various discounts and offers for its customers too. I believe my growth combined with Oyela’s growth will help us move ahead. 

Q) You talked of your journey of wanting to start the store, similarly, many budding entrepreneurs want to start their business. Is there anything you would want to suggest to them?

@thriftoclock: Truly, I would say that if you want to start your business, just go for it because there is never a right time for anything. People keep waiting to chalk out a plan of action and then work forward with it.  I say, whenever you start, is the right time. Many of them would believe their business to blow up initially, but this isn’t possible. Build up your reels, make interaction with your audience to understand their likings better, reach out to people to help you and consider SFS and repost others’ work too. Have a certain plan on a rough format during your weekend for the entire week as this would help you to manage your time efficiently. 

Q) Running your page for 9-10 months you must have come across a few difficulties. Would you like to share similar kinds of experiences you must have faced?

@thriftoclock: Yeah, yeah… the reels are so hectic I tell you. The first thing is that reels don’t easily catch so much attention and this takes major time when there was a drop, there was no response from people and this demotivated me a lot. Even, I was doing flat photography for the items, I corrected this thing and now it is quite easy for me. I would say hate is a strong word, but yes, these two things were irritating for me. I can say confidently that I have survived all the odds and stand to affirm my store and my passion for it. 

Q) how has been your experience working with Oyela?

@thriftoclock: It has been surreal and amazing. I am thankful to Oyela for the sales I have made and it has helped me reach a wider audience who love to share and explore the pre-loved items without any hesitation. 

Q) In general if you see Thrifting as a pick-up around pandemic, we’re also aware that soon life would be back to normal. So, where do you see the Thrifting culture moving ahead after the pandemic ends?

@thriftoclock: Currently, I feel it has been speeding in India, and people have wholeheartedly accepted it because not many people can afford brands. Thrift stores are cheap and becomes an option for those brands. People say that the competition would increase too, but I don’t think that any thrift stores are any kind of competitor’s because it is a community and not two thrift stores would offer the same items. Even the customers are amazed at the quality they receive from thrift stores. So, this community isn’t going anytime soon. 

Q) Whenever we say that we’re selling pre-loved items, people don’t appreciate it much. Do you think people will understand it any time sooner?

@thriftoclock: Basically, there are two kinds of people- those who will understand and those who don’t want to understand only because they can afford the brands. I think that if the customers like the quality on the first go, they would shop more from the thrift stores as their trust are built on the Thrifting community. The first experience will surely implicate the future shopping options too. Those who understand the Thrifting community, know that it is a joy to shop amazing brands at an affordable price range. 

@thriftoclock has been a part of the Thrifting community and finds joy in finding something expensive at an affordable price. She has been one of the SheEO on Oyela who has made humongous sales and been independent for herself and her dreams. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us.