Thrifting, yes thrifting taught me to sell.
I love Goodwills, thrift stores, and garage sales. It’s a hobby for me. I love looking and finding. It’s the thrill of the hunt.
I don’t feel embarrassed or icky about the stuff I buy. Most things in stores have been through many hands by the time I get them home. I, of course, am choosy, and I also clean the things up I bring home. The transformation is part of the fun.
When I was a child, that was shopping for us. When we visited my Aunts and Uncles in Indiana, Tennessee, and North Carolina we vacation shopped at neighborhood garage sales instead of the fancy malls.
We would spend Saturday mornings going to garage sales as a family. Women, men, and kids alike.
This was a lot of fun for me, even as a child. My personal $5 went a lot farther when shopping garage sales. It was also quite different here because, in the rural area where I was from, we only saw the occasional yard sale pop up.
When we were first married, that’s mostly how I furnished our home. Then it was more of a necessity than a choice. I didn’t realize, in reality, I was having so much fun. Getting the latest decorating magazines and wishing I could go out and buy the latest and greatest all at once. Dreaming of the day I would be able to decorate a home all at once with whatever I wanted and all brand new.
I like to decorate and create, and that takes a variety of things on hand. I wanted to have the option of the trendy styles that were, for the most part, only available brand new. But, in reality, they were not in our budget. I would tell myself, “But one day.”
Getting my first job in sales was a ticket to hope. Unlimited income potential was on the horizon. My comp plan certainly made it clear all things on my (now that I look back) modest wish list possible.
I continued to work, earn, and learn. I discovered I was having just as much fun working as I was thrifting. The income and its potential were only a bonus. My upbringing had taught me more than I realized.
I naturally approached sales just like thrifting. There was a lot of business available, but I didn’t need it all; I just needed what I had a place and a use for.
I didn’t need all the grandest businesses as a customer. Instead, I needed those that needed my help. I could hunt and dig to find the best, just as I do thrifting. Some of my competitors were going to the mall without enough money and leaving empty-handed.
I, on the other hand, saw it as there’s a lot of junk out there, there are some things I can’t afford, but there are a few things that I have a plan to use and bring back to life.
Finding good business others overlooked and being entirely myself was key. They were happy to do business with me.
It turns out while I eventually made enough to buy the things on that wish list; I would still rather a thrift. I could create something that is my own. Many times I end up with a lot better quality than what I could have found otherwise.
Same with my approach to business. Sometimes it takes me longer to find a customer. Sometimes they are less than high profile (trendy), but they are all high quality and are put together for a unique and rewarding result.
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