Attachment 1585974217

Random&Chic presents
Thrifting Into Six Figures
SHAYLA JANEL
CONTENTS
F O
2
PART ONE
E L B A T
S T A R T N O W
8
PART TWO
W H Y R E S A L E ?
PART THREE
13 I N V E N T O R Y :
S E L L I N G H I G H
B U Y I N G L O W &
19
PART FOUR
A F T E R T H E T H R I F T
24
PART FIVE
S T Y L I N G & A E S T H E T I C S
34
PART SIX
C O N S I S T E N C Y & S E L F - S U F F I C I E N C Y
PART SEVEN
44 H O W T O B U I L D I N G
I N S T A G R A M
Y O U R
F O L L O W I N G
49
PART EIGHT
R E S E L L O N L I N E & O F F L I N E
57
PART NINE
P R I C E & P R O F I T
60
PART TEN
P A C K A G I N G & S H I P P I N G
68
PART ELEVEN
C U S T O M E R S E R V I C E
ABOUT ME
I thrifted my way into six figures and living my dreams. Are you next?
My names is Shayla Janel. I am the Owner of a Houston-based Online Vintage

Store, Random&Chic. With more than 10 years of resale and retail experience.
I’m a proud alumni of Prairie View A&M University. Holding a bachelors in
Mass Communication. I’m a Tedx Speaker, Creator of Slay For A Change, a
stylish revolutionary movement. Executive Producer and Creator of a
documentary entitled, Fashion Weak. I have been featured in WWD, Essence,
Ebony, Fashion Bomb Daily, Yahoo Style and Teen Vogue.
I first fell in love with thrifting while working as a waitress in college. Next
door to the restaurant I worked in was, The Goodwill. I would shop in-between
my lunch break. Always excited about unearthing the unknown. In December
of 2008, I made a firm commitment to “make it” in fashion. From there I
started my very first fashion blog entitled ShaylaBarbie. I would style the
thrifted clothes I found at the Goodwill and my best friend would photograph
me. People began reading my blog and inquiring about my outfits. One fine
day, someone messaged me on Facebook. Asking if I was selling the clothes I
was wearing. I answered....ummmm sure. I could never have predicted the word
“sure” would lead me to making my first six figures.
Thrifting has always been my form of therapy. My safe place and happy space.
My most cherished thrift store memory, were in 2011, with my grandmother.
Whom at the time was battling dementia. We would go daily and shop for
hours. Those were some of my final moments with her. I believe she would be
so proud to know that I’ve taking our favorite bonding moments and created a
successful business.
Over 10 years later, I’m so proud to present my heart and soul in PDF form.
WARDROBE STYLIST
INTRODUCTION
THRIFTING INTO SIX FIGURES
THE
INDUSTRY
OF RESALE
The resale industry is nothing more than purchasing previously owned

products that we all need, use or want. According to James Stephenson of
Enterprise.com, “The mantra of every buy-to-sell enterprise is simple and easily
memorized “Buy Low. Sell high.” In the resale business, important to note that
the potential to build your inventory is virtually EVERYWHERE.
THE ART OF RESALE 01

Part One
START NOW

Welcome to the Art Of Resale and the first step towards chasing your dreams
and securing your bag. Before we dive into the beautiful world of Resale, I
want to have a chat with you. Yes, YOU!
You need to know how much I want you to win and achieve every goal you
have set for yourself. I want you to know that you are worthy of success,
happiness, and whatever else your heart desires.
Now you have to make a promise to both you and me: That this will NOT be
another eBook that you purchase, read, and NOT apply.
Instead, by purchasing this eBook, you now accept the task of following
through so you can get to the other side of your dreams. You're making a
promise to commit to a solid work ethic, build positive habits, and stay
consistent.

Doubt and fear are going to be a regular part of this process. Acknowledge it,
but don't allow it to hinder or discourage you. Promise not to seek outside
validation or become discouraged by a lack of support. Instead, be your own
biggest cheerleader and to clap for yourself.
Now that we have our promises out the way. I want to share some of the
insider tips and tactics I've used over the decade to ensure I accomplish every
goal I set.
TRAP YOURSELF INTO STARTING

Give Yourself NO way out! My vision was grand in creating my first
documentary, Fashion Weak. Like most people, my big idea frightened me, so I
knew I had to trap myself into starting. I decided to "trap myself" by
approaching a venue owner to ask if I could screen my documentary there
before it was ever recorded or released. Next, I set a date.
I felt bound to the people who I had told that this documentary could be
happening. Fast forward, Slay for a Change went viral, and the first screening
of my documentary sold out.
When you have a big idea that scares you, trap yourself into starting. Set the
date, pick a place, buy the inventory.
PLAN A SMALL LAUNCH PARTY
You have to learn how to clap for

yourself and celebrate YOU! It's an
excellent incentive for setting a hard
deadline to imagine yourself celebrating
with a party. Set a date and send out
invites to your launch party. That
celebration date, in turn, becomes your
launch date and a reference for the
celebration of your completion.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF
Have faith in yourself. Know that you are
deserving of all of the goodness life has to
offer. Failure is merely a teacher. Fall in love
with the process.
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS
Align yourself with people who will

hold you accountable. Give them
permission to not only encourage
you but also to keep you to your
word. The perfect qualities of an
accountability partner include:
Supportive
Visionary
Encouraging
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Ambitious

Words of affirmation have become a necessity on
my journey as an entrepreneur. Affirmations are
positive statements that can help you to
challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and
negative thoughts. When you repeat them often
and believe in them, you can start to make
positive changes. You must speak life over
yourself and your dreams.
This has been the biggest lesson I’ve learned
from, Shannon Louyindoula of @Mme.Louy. She
is a long time friend and my Spiritual Advisor.
Below I have listed her list of affirmations for
you to utilize as you embark on your next
chapter.
Affirm: by focusing my attention on the

present moment, I come to realize that the
process is just as important as the
outcome.
Affirm: I have more than enough time,

more than enough energy and more than
enough motivation to accomplish all that
I set out to achieve.

"Write the affirmation that resonates
with you"

Part Two
WHY RESALE?

THE INDUSTRY OF RESALE
Resale is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. There is a significant discrepancy
in annual revenues reported for the U.S. resale industry.
Numbers Don't Lie

Research estimates the resale industry in the U.S. to have annual revenues of
approximately $17.5 million including revenue from antique stores, which are
13% of their statistics. ThredUP, an online resale marketplace, pegs the total
resale market in 2018 at $24 billion, predicting it will reach $64 billion by 2028.
The RealReal, a luxury consignment site, reported revenues of $207 million in

2018 and estimates 2020 revenues of $406 million and 2022 revenues of $700
million. In a Barron article, Cowen retail analyst Oliver Chen estimates that The
RealReal has a 14% share of the growing $7 billion U.S. market.
Goodwill Industries alone generated $5.9 billion in retail sales from more than
3,000 Not For Profit resale stores and online sales in 2017.
Crossroads Trading Co., based in Berkeley, CA, rang up over $60 million in sales
in 2018. They have 37 locations, and over Three hundred employees and plan to
add additional locations. Buffalo Exchange reported $87 million in sales in 2017,
according to V.P. Rebecca Block.
Add to this the many thousands of single location shops, hundreds of multi
location chains, franchises, and Not For Profit stores, and you begin to realize the
vast scope of this continually growing industry. Resale shopping attracts
consumers from all economic levels. There is no typical resale shopper just as
there is no typical resale shop. No one is immune to the excitement of finding a
treasure and saving money.

An Eco-Friendly Business
According to the New York Times, more than 60 percent of fabric fibers are
now synthetics, derived from fossil fuels, so if and when our clothing ends up
in a landfill (about 85 percent of textile waste in the United States goes to
landfills or incinerated), it will not decay.
Nor will the synthetic microfibers that end up in the sea, freshwater, and
elsewhere, including the deepest parts of the oceans and the highest glacier
peaks. Every year the world as a whole consumes more than 80 billion items
of clothing. Those clothes contribute to resource and waste pollution since
most of these items get thrown out. People are consuming more, and they
want it for lower prices.
In lamens terms, the fashion industry, particularly fast fashion, is destroying

the planet. However, owning a resale business is environmentally friendly.
Buying and selling a pre-loved garment is more important than ever before.

THE INDUSTRY OF
ADVANTAGES OF RESALE
RESALE
A LOW INVESTMENT
The beauty of starting an online resale business is that it's a low-cost business,
unlike traditional retail stores, which can take thousands of dollars to build
inventory, create a website or start a brick and mortar. In the resale business,
you begin with the clothes in your closet or $100 worth of existing thrift
inventory.
B POTENTIAL MINIMAL RISK

With low investment comes minimal risk, which means you'll have a little
amount of upside. There is also a lower overhead, which means higher profit
margins. Most resale shops end up in the 90% profit margin. Which is HUGE!!
C READY STREAM OF BUYERS

Resale shopping attracts consumers from all economic levels. There is no
typical resale shopper, just as there is no typical resale shop. No one is immune
to the excitement of finding a treasure and saving money. According to
America's Research Group, a consumer research Group, a consumer research
firm, about 16 - 18% of Americans will shop at a thrift store during a given
year.

ADVANTAGES OF RESALE
REQUIRES LITTLE TO NO
D EXPERIENCE
We discussed a resale business being a low investment and minimal risk. That
alone alleviates the pressures of starting a new business. With the help of
social media and other reselling apps, you can practically sell items in your
sleep. Essentially, all it requires is a love of fashion (and the Art of Resale book,
of course).
E FLEXIBILITY
You can sell items and build inventory on your own time. Inventory is always
accessible you can run your entire business in the comfort of your living room.

Part Three
BUYING LOW
& SELLING
HIGH

Below is a list of all the places where you can build your inventory.
1 THRIFT SHOPS
Stores selling second-hand clothing and other household goods are typically to
raise funds for a charitable institution.
2 CONSIGNMENT
Stores that sell second-hand items (typically clothing and accessories) on
behalf of the owner usually receive a percentage of the selling item.
3 ESTATE SALES
It is also called a Tag Sale. Way of liquidating the belongings of a family estate.
It is much more than a garage or yard sale. Used when someone needs a way to
sell items due to downsizing, moving, divorce, bankruptcy, or death.

4 GARAGE SALES
The sale of miscellaneous household goods is called garage sales. Often held
in the garage or front yard of someone's house.
5 CONSIGNMENT
Brick and mortar operations where manufacturers sell their stock directly to the
public. Typically manufacturer-branded stores, such as Gap or Bon Worth,
grouped in malls.
6 VINTAGE WHOLESALE
A real certified whole distributor is a company who handles the entire
shipment for the manufacturer of a product. They have a warehouse,
distribution center, and ship products directly to the retailer or consumer if
they deal with dropshipping.

HOW TO THRIFT
You must see your ability to thrift as a GIFT. Thrifting can be very therapeutic
and seemingly comes with ease. The effortless and joy it brings can make it
easy to overlook as a skill or talent.
Understanding your gifts will make room for you is the ultimate key. Sharing
your gifts with the world can lead to increasing income, inspiring others,
building self-confidence, and living your best life. Below you will find my tips
on how to productively thrift.

RANDOM&CHIC THRIFT PROCESS
"Dress appropriately. Not all thrift stores have dressing rooms. Be sure to wear tight-
fitting clothing so you can try on pieces over what you're already wearing. I often take
photos in the store of items to see how it will photograph before buying".
Start with the back racks first. Review clothing, bottom to top
Gravitate to what speaks to you
Find a corner to sort through items; what goes and what stays
Stains? Tears? Missing Buttons? Zipper Working? Inside Damage?
Does it need to be laundered?
Would you wear it?
Ask for a discount
Cash in on deals and specials
Shop seasonally
Consider the neighborhood

Part Four
AFTER THE
THRIFT

CLEANING & TAILORING
YOUR NEW FINDS
Typically, I stray away from dry-cleaning because it tends to add up. The only
items that I dry clean are high end, quality items. On a typical thrift day, I will
gently wash all items in cold water. Once dry, I will store and hang the clothing
in a separate closet. Another trick for cleaning your garments is Apple Cider
Vinegar for stains and steaming. Owning a steamer is a necessity to eliminate
smells and wrinkles.
CLEANING GARMENTS
Always have a good seamstress on hand.
Once you have found someone you trust,
be loyal, and they will work with you on
pricing. With vintage items, use your
imagination. If you find a cute dress or
skirt, but it’s long, shorten it and add a
slit. Make tops into crop tops, etc.
Vintage clothing typically runs smaller.

Very important to know how to measure
items so that you can communicate sizes
to your customers.
SIZING HACK: Measure waist on pants

subtract 21; that will equal the modern
day size. This hack is great for customers
to have a reference for size of the jeans.

MEASURING
Measuring taping is MANDATORY. You are always going to need to measure
something, and it’s essential to have that one tool on standby for immediate
use. Use your Sizing Guide Reference Chart to measure all collected items
correctly.
FABRICS
Knowing your fabrics is imperative in resale. Offering your customers quality
is vital. While thrifting, it may seem impossible to overspend because garments
can be practically two dollars. However, you have to be selective when it
comes to picking your inventory. Below are four tips to ensure quality fabric:
1. To quickly assess an item's quality, hold the fabric up to a bright light.

"The thicker the material, the higher the quality".
2. You should also check the seams to make sure all of the thread matches.
3. You can almost always tell the quality of an item by the BUTTONS and
the BUTTONHOLE.
4. Gently pull the seams taut to see if there are gaps between the stitches.
Important note: adequately describing the fabric and measurements are

essential when reselling online. Customers are going to depend on your
description. Including noting any imperfections.

DETERMINE
MEASURING & SIZES

Part Five
STYLING &
AESTHETICS

Practical styling is an essential part of operating a resale store. It is your job to
convey through the language of style, what you see in the item you've selected
showcasing the versatility and functionality of each garment.
1 ORGANIZATION
The organization of resale may seem like an
unlikely part of the process. However, in the
resale world, things can quickly escalate to an
episode of hoarders. To ensure you're not
overbuying and to begin the styling process, I
recommend purchasing a heavy-duty
clothing rack. As soon as you arrive with your
inventory, hang all your items up and began
styling them into desired outfits. Hanging
your garments up will allow you to examine
each item while simultaneously de-cluttering
your inventory thoroughly. Hanging your
garments up will also enable your product
shoots to run smoothly.
2 BE AUTHENTIC
While I will share my style hacks later in
this chapter, and there will always be
reoccurring fashion trends, ultimately, it is
your style that will set you apart.
@celestialyouth
3 SEASONAL STYLING
Your styling should be reflective of the
seasons and weather. When the seasons'
change, so should the inventory you're
selecting. For example, during Fall/Winter, it's
recommended to choose and style knits,
heavy coats, and darker fall tones.
@washingtonave
4 RE-IMAGINE
In the resale realm, you get to define what
you want your garment to be. For instance, I
unearthed a beautiful vintage robe while
thrifting. However, I immediately reimagined
it as a dress, pairing it with a belt. Make up
your own rules and show your customers
what you envision.
5 UP CYCLING
Also known as "creative reuse," is the
process of transforming second-hand
garments into a new one-of-a-kind piece.
More consumers are showing a desire for
alternative and creative fashion looks made
in limited numbers
@samarialeah
RANDOM&CHIC
STYLE HACKS
USE BELTS BREAK UP PATTERNS

WITH STYLING

R&C HACK
MANIPULATE ITEMS WITH TURN OVER SIZED BLOUSES

BUTTONS, ZIPPERS, ETC INTO DRESSES

R&C HACK
TURN THE ITEM TURN TOPS INTO

AROUND / BACKWARDS CROP TOPS

R&C HACK
SELECT VERSATILE PIECES

STYLE HACK
RECAP
How to Make Pieces Look Modern
Turn Oversized Blouses into Dresses
Break up Pattern
Items can be Manipulated with Buttons, Zippers, etc
Use Belts
Turn The Item Around!
Select Versatile Pieces
Turn Tops into Crop Tops
Tuck the Collar

BACKDROPS
Today’s standards for social media

profiles are becoming more and more
competitive and are largely focused on
building and maintaining a certain
aesthetic.
Within the vintage realm, the most

important part of your aesthetic is
going to be a clean backdrop and full
body photo from the neck down.
Eliminating background distractions

and cropping out the face will place
the entire focus solely on your
garments. The rest of all your aesthetic
will be dictated by your personal style
and the consistency of your styling.
Below I have listed 6 of my favorite

online vintage stores:

VINTAGE STORES INSPO
@eliavintage
@trynabestudios @naninvintage
@masha_jlynn @fiercepetite @mycuppateavintage

Part Six
CONSISTENCY &
SELF-SUFFICIENCY

When it comes to growing a following on any platform whether it's Instagram or Etsy,
I have an unconventional approach. I'm not here to sell you a dream. It's going to
take hard work and tenacity. No grind, no shine. To build an organic following, it will
take consistency, self-sufficiency, and understanding the algorithm.
SELF SUFFICIENCY
How you photograph your pieces means everything in the world of resale. It is your
job to capture the beauty and details of every garment. Your photography is a
representation of your business and directly impacts your growth on each social
media platform. You may think that this means you need to purchase an expensive
camera or to hire a costly photographer.
Nope! That's not the case at all! I shoot every last photo for my social media and
website using my iPhone 11. Before owning a newer iPhone, I used both the iPhone 6
and iPhone 8. Remember, self-sufficiency is vital!
iPhone 6 iPhone 8 iPhone 11

There are four major components for me when it comes to taking my product shots.
TRIPOD
Purchasing a tripod was a game-changer for me. I was no longer dependent on
someone to help me create content. Because now I could take my pictures. Also, it
forces you to become more comfortable being in front of the camera.
SELF TIMER/BLUE-TOOTH REMOTE

You can either utilize your self-timer or a tiny blue tooth remote to take each
picture. I currently use the self-timer and make the best of those 10 seconds.
POSING
Practice makes perfect. The right poses can show the movement of your garments.
I have examples of my top 3 signatures poses below.

NATURAL LIGHTING
If you can not afford lighting equipment, do not fret - natural light is your best
friend. I shoot all of my photos, utilizing the light from Mother Nature. The
proper lighting can take your photos up a notch, giving them the ultimate
professional look. I prefer shooting with natural lighting.
EDITING
Editing is the way to level the playing field among you and other brands. There
is not a single company or celebrity in this world that does not use photoshop.
Editing should be used only to enhance your photos.
Below I've listed the top 3 editing apps I use:
1- Facetune 2 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/facetune2-best-selfie-
editing/id1149994032
2- Lightroom https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adobe-lightroom-photo-
editor/id878783582
3- VSCO https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vsco-photo-video-editor/id588013838

BEFORE EDITING AFTER EDITING
Bonus: I learned everything I know about editing from my favorite YouTuber,

Patrica Bright. Below I listed a link that forever changed the course of my business
and content.
YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=awj7gZAKxZk

CONSISTENCY
1- YOU HAVE TO DETACH YOUR EMOTIONS FROM

THE CONTENT THAT YOU POST
It's time you change the way you look at Instagram or any social media app. It's
no longer a place where you post and like pictures.
After reading this book, Instagram should officially become your business
partner. Rule number one in business: Never take anything personally. If you
post a photo and it doesn't get very many "likes" DO NOT DELETE. Because
only one person needs to like the garment to purchase.
2- CONSISTENT CONTENT IS BETTER THAN PERFECT

CONTENT
A lot of times we judge ourselves harshly because we don't feel like we have
the perfect content, the best camera, the best make up or whatever doubt
you're feeding yourself. Everyday your pictures won't be perfect but show up
anyways.

3- NO ONE CARES
The statement "no one cares" may seem harsh, but it's so vital that you absorb
this information. The reality is you can put all of your energy into photos for
strangers to consume, for literally a millisecond, and then...bam, they move on.
Just ask yourself do you remember the last thing you just saw on social media?
We consume so much content daily that even when we do really like

something and maybe also save it, we still move forward and mostly forget
about it. So understanding that people don't care as much as you think they do,
should free all emotional attachment that you have to your social media pages.
You must not judge yourself so harshly and interrupt the +ow of creating
consistency.
4- DO IT EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT

You have to look at consistency as a promise to yourself -- "No matter what I
am going to do [insert task]." You're not always going to feel inspired or
motivated, and those are the days you have to show up.
5- IDENTITY
You Are What You Do Daily

6- CREATE SPECIFIC AND REALISTIC GOALS
But don't overwhelm yourself.
STORY TIME: A year before quitting my 9-to-5 job, I began giving myself small
challenges in an attempt to sharpen my self-discipline. I told myself that if I
can get up and go to this job that I hated CONSISTENTLY every single day,
then there is no reason I can not pour that same time and energy into my
business. I started with waking up early so that I can dedicate two hours to my
business each day.
The second challenge I gave myself was to post on Instagram three times a
day. I even set my alarm for noon, 3 pm, and 6 pm to ensure I did not forget. 30
Days of Posting were extremely vulnerable to me. I made it a point to not focus
on the number of likes or follows, and instead, I chose to focus on my ability to
produce content every single day. Nowadays, posting on Instagram has become
second nature to me. I'm no longer emotionally attached to the outcome of the
photo.
I want to challenge you to #30DaysOfPosting:
Calendar created by
www.one2onediet.com
Part Seven
How To Building Your
Instagram Following

Instagram is a very viable place to set up shop for your resale store. If done
correctly, you will quickly have access to thousands of customers all around
the world. To understand growing your following on Instagram is
understanding how the algorithm works.
For many, understanding the algorithm can be overwhelming and complicated.

I like to explain the algorithm as a friendly Board of Trustees. Together these
Board of Trustees decides: if your content has a specific niche, if your account
is producing quality images, if you are posting consistently, and how often
you're engaging with your audience.
Every social media and reselling app operates using an algorithm. You must
understand the algorithm in order to thrive. All in all, I believe that everything
that the algorithm asks for is mostly everything you need to establish a
successful online store, which is quality, consistency, and engagement. Below I
have listed my personal tips on working with the algorithm and organically
expanding your following.
The algorithm is all about engagement. It's monitoring and taking note of
everything you like and comment on the most frequently. It is also doing the
same for your potential customers/audience.
BE AUTHENTIC
One major factor of cracking the Instagram algorithm is the amount of
engagement you get in the time right after you publish it. The best way to
get your following to engage organically is by being authentic, open, and
transparent.
Making your story a part of your brand allows your customers to have an
emotional connection with you. The more connected they are, the more
inclined they are to engage. The more engagement, the more growth! Gone
are the days of pretending to be perfect. People are looking to connect and
relate. A massive part of Random&Chic is that many of my customers have
been with me during my journey, which is why I affectionately call them my
Chic Tribe.

PLAN OUT YOUR CONTENT
Style your looks before shooting
Designate a day for content shooting
R&C hack: Take seven days worth of content and product shots in 1-2 days
Create a content calendar and assign a photo to each day
Recycle older pictures from your feed
Post consistently
FIND OUT WHEN YOUR AUDIENCE

IS MOST ACTIVE
Utilize your insights and analytics. Post only during your peaks hours.

PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT
AUDIENCE RESPONDS TO
Likes and follows can be a great way to survey which items will become your
best sellers.
OPTIMIZE HASHTAGS
Do some research and create a list of relevant hashtags, one for each post you
are planning. Hashtags are a great way to attract potential customers to your
page. If using Instagram, I recommend placing your hashtags in your comment
section.
Below is an example of the hashtags I use when I post. I've also, included
hashtag generator apps that are amazing for finding the key words for your
niche:

HASHTAG GENERATING APPS
1. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hashtag-generator-hashme/id1044683357
2. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hashtag-manager-for- instagram/id1185381856
3. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tagstagram-hashtag-generator/id587756737

Part Eight
RESALE ONLINE
& OFFLINE

As mentioned, the resale market attracts consumers from all economic levels.
There is no typical resale shopper, just as there is no typical resale shop.
ThredUp's 2019 report, in partnership with third-party analytics firm

GlobalData, provided a list of full of statistics on rising resale trends. Here are a
few tidbits I found most interesting from that report:
Millennials (25 to 37) and Boomers (55 to 65-plus) thrift more than any
other age group.
In a GlobalData survey of 2,000 women, 64% said they would be willing to
shop second-hand, an increase from 45% in 2016.
There's a growing interest in shopping sustainably, and buying a used item
reduces its carbon footprint by approximately 82%.
Millennials and Gen Z are driving the growth of second-hand
ONLINE
Thanks to innovation & technology, building your resale empire has become
more accessible than ever before. Dozens of apps created with a ready stream
of buyers. Now you can develop multi-streams of income within one business
by directly downloading an app. These second-hand resale apps will either be
peer-to-peer marketing, consignment, or luxury consignment. Below I have
compiled a list of my favorite apps with helpful tips.
SOCIAL MEDIA
In the realm of resale, a website is not always a necessity. You can simply set
up a social media account with either Instagram or Facebook Market Place. You
can personally send your customers invoices or allow them to purchase via
Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App.
Important Note: When sending a customer an invoice via social media, give them
20-30 minutes to purchase before the invoice expires. Otherwise, some will neglect
to pay or pay at their leisure.

PEER-TO-PEER MARKETPLACES
Another alternative or in addition to your website, would be to utilize peer-to-
peer marketplace apps. These are apps designed to allow you to sell your
preloved items directly to their ready stream of buyers.
My Top Four Favorite Peer-to-Peer Apps:

1. Depop
2. Etsy
3. eBay
4. Poshmark
YOUR ONLINE STORE/WEBSITE

Building your website is no easy feat. When I first started Random & Chic, I
was blessed to have a passionate digital creator behind my brand to assist me
with the online store creation. For almost a decade, Chloe has the backbone of
Random & Chic.
Below are her tips on how to start your website and level up on your online
efforts, starting with your domain and platform of choice.
DOMAINS
I am a firm believer in buying your domain separate from which the shopping
platform you choose. Doing this allows you to maintain the flexibility to switch
between platforms without them holding your domain hostage. I buy and
recommend all f my clients to purchase their domain from Namecheap.com.
This recommendation is based on their level of customer service and ease of
use.

SHOPIFY VS. BIG CARTEL
The first line of order for your online store is ensuring that you choose a
platform that's easy for you to use. Be frankly honest about what you can and
cannot maintain with your website.
BIG CARTEL: SELF-

SUFFICIENCY AT BEST
If you're looking for simplicity and immediate self-sufficiency, I do recommend
Big Cartel as an easy way to start and practice your website process. What is
your upload and editing process? How often are you maintaining the store?
Have you mastered your product descriptions / sold out strategy / etc.? Starting
small allows you to understand the ins and outs before you hand it over to
someone else.
Additionally, Big Cartel caters to business owners looking to sell one-time,

individual pieces. Big Cartel is also the easiest to set up. Upload your product
images, set prices, select one of their chosen templates, and you're ready to
sell your products. The limitation here is that Big Cartel templates are not
customizable and relatively bland. Additionally, Big Cartel is limited in the
third-party integrations allowed on your platform, which makes simple things
like selling digital products online, email marketing, or adding reviews, more
manual than automatic.
SHOPIFY: BUILT TO SCALE

If you know your audience and feel confident that you know your customer, I
highly recommend Shopify. Shopify is a platform built for eCommerce,
dedicated to helping you succeed online. Even if you're not using Shopify,
there are helpful tips and tricks you can take from their Shopify Blog.

Additionally, Shopify is a platform built to scale with your business as you
grow. If you're con*dent in your website maintenance and overall process,
Shopify is your best bet in continuing to excel in what you've already built.
Shopify is the best eCommerce platform to use at this moment for a reason. In
essence, the templates are amazing and highly customizable, it comes with
built-in SEO features, unlimited products & bandwidth, and the platform
allows as many apps and integrations as you need for your store.
SHOPIFY APPS & INTEGRATIONS

As you learn more about your audience, you learn more about what you can
offer your customers to keep them coming back to your store as repeat
customers. Once you've mastered the maintenance of your store, the next level
of your Shopify store to decide which apps and integrations work best for you.
The Shopify App store is limitless to all you can do to scale your business. I
always recommend setting up AT LEAST an email campaign (I use Klaviyo)
along with a shopper review program for your Shopify store. These are the two
most impactful ways to keep customers on your site and reap SEO bene*ts. If
you are currently running a Shopify store and would like to learn more about
which Shopify apps I recommended for an online store, you can contact
chloe@mooreseo.com directly to learn more.
WORKING WITH A CONSULTANT

THINGS TO PREPARE
When working with a consultant to develop your online store, you'll want to
have the following items prepared:
Defined goals
Description of your target audience
Keywords you would use to find your business online
Your top competitors & inspiration sites
Your logo or preferred font option for your brand

GET IN TOUCH
If you're hoping to learn more about websites and search engine
optimization, you can find Chloe on Instagram at @MooreSEO or via email at
chloe@mooreseo.com.
OFFLINE
There are limitless options in reselling your garments from the comfort of your
cell phone. However, there are even more revenue streams and opportunities
offline!
I'm most grateful that I began Random&Chic pre-social media. Outside of eBay,
selling clothes online was not a viable option. There was no emphasis on being
an influencer and building brands. There was no validation or invalidation from
likes and follows. It was just me and my love for fashion, and I was determined
to make my dreams come true. One of the ways I made my dream happen
offline, was in creating garage sales or hosting pop-ups in my living room.

I have done it all, but the memory that sticks out was doing a Pop-Up outside
of a popular local restaurant during brunch hours. I set up Dorothy (the
mannequin) and my clothes racks on the curb to set up shop from Noon-4pm.
I recall feeling so vulnerable as people would either ignore me or comment

on the sequins and shoulder pads. I felt like I made a mistake and wanted to
leave. It was 3:30 pm, and I had not made a single dollar. My vulnerability
turned into humiliation. But I stayed! And at 3:50 pm, a woman approached
my rack and turned to me and said I'll give you a check for $400 for these
items right here. She suddenly revealed that she was the owner of a luxury
vintage store and was very impressed with my eye for vintage. She handed
me a check (yes it cleared!) and her business card and told me to bring more
items to sell her. I learned such a valuable lesson that day; It pays (literally)
to put yourself out there and follow through.
It's so essential to create opportunities outside of the internet. Do not

underestimate the importance of building face-to-face connections. Most
importantly, putting yourself out there!

1- BECOME A VENDOR:
Pop-Ups
Market Places
Flea Market
Festivals
Conferences
2- CREATE AN EVENT:
Create a Garage Sale or Pop-Up
Collaborate & Create Event with fellow Resellers
3- CONSIGNMENT:
Agreement to pay a supplier of goods after goods sell. Consignment is a great
way to sell designer or modern items. Most consignment stores will offer you
40% -50% of the price your items sold for.
Local Consignment Shops: I recommend looking up your local consignment

stores. Also, building relationships with the owners.
4- SELL OR TRADE::
Buffalo Exchange
Platos Closet

Part Nine
PRICE & PROFIT

PRICING
In business, the general rule of thumb to determine the price is to add up all
costs involved to bring your product to market, followed by applying your set
profit margin on top of those expenses. That's it. If it seems too simple to be
effective, you're half right—but here's how it works. Essentially, the essential
element of your price is that it needs to sustain your business.
There are other considering factors that your price point needs to account for
as well. Such as how you're pricing your items compared to your competition.
A great way to discover what the average price is for a pre-loved item is to
describe the garment in Google [ex: vintage silk blouse] and click the
"SHOPPING" option to do easy research on your competitor's price point.
SET YOUR SALES GOALS

Implementing a sale's goals will take your mindset from hobby to business
quickly. It will also offer you more stability and structure while giving you a
basic standard for monitoring your growth. Below, I share an example of the
personal method I use to create a sales goal and track profits.
If you're looking to pursue resale full time, the best way to set up your sales
goals: calculate all your expenses.
If you're solely looking for an additional stream of income, configure a number

you would desire to add to your income each month. In our example below, we
will say an additional $2,000 per month as a sale's goal. You will then divide
that number by four to discover your weekly objective [$500/week] and divide
by 30 to determine your daily sales goal [$66/day].

PRICE RANGE
Creating a sales goal and doing simple math also allows your goals to seem
more feasible. Once you've set your desired goal, you can now focus on
establishing your price range. Think about it this way: When you walk into
Forever 21, you would never expect to pay $4,000 for a handbag. On the
other hand, if you're at the Chanel store, you wouldn't expect to pay $40 for a
purse. Setting your price range is a great way to provide consistency to your
customers. Setting your price point is also a great way to estimate expected
profits. For example, if you decide your price point is between $49-$109
dollars, you can then create an overall base price for each category:
Example:
Blazers: $59
Mom Jeans: $69
Blouses: $49
Dresses: $79
Suits: $109
Now that you have established your sales goals and price range, you have just
made it easier to estimate expected profits before leaving your local thrift
store. While shopping, take inventory of how many items you've purchase per
category. Simply multiply the number of pieces you've purchased with your
base price. You just created your estimated expected profit !
Example:
Blazers: 10 x $59 =590
Mom Jeans: 10 x $69 =690
Blouses: 10 x $49 = 490
Dresses: 10 x $79 = 790
Suits: 10 x $109 = 1090
It's important to remember that pricing isn't a decision you only get to make
once. Observe your customers and your competitors. Make a decision that
works best for you.

Part Ten
PACKAGING &
SHIPPING

PACKAGING
My packaging is straightforward and cost-effective. I use 12 x 15" poly clear
plastic t-shirt apparel bags and my original postcard. You can purchase the
plastic apparel bags in bulk on:
Amazon
Uline
Prices can range from $10-$75 depending on the quantity.
ECO FRIENDLY OPTIONS
If you're looking to choose a more

sustainable route for your packaging, I
have listed three companies below that
can accommodate you:
1. Ecoenclose.com
2. Papermart.com
3. Earthpack.com

SHIPPING
The post office was once so difficult for me to navigate. When I first started, I
was handwriting labels and dropping them off. I recall feeling so much
anxiety at the mere thought of having to step foot inside a USPS office. Well
now I'm here to ensure you don't follow those dreadful footsteps.
I currently utilize USPS.com for all of my shipping needs. I will guide you
through my steps using five important tips while on USPS.com.
CREATE AN ACCOUNT
The benefit of a USPS account is you can keep track of all of your customer's
information and track your shipping history. You can also process refunds
and print your labels.
CLICK & SHIP

Once you've created your account and entered customer information, your
next step is to decide between Priority or First Class. My personal preference
for my customers is priority shipping. However, I will leave the pros for both
options below:
PRIORITY
Priority mail has fixed rates, all contingent upon the size of the box.
Important to note, these rates change every year.
Priority Mail is the USPS's class of mail that is their top priority to ship out.
Packages in the United States arrive to customers within 2-3 business days.
Priority shipping boxes are provided free of cost. You can pick them up from
a local USPS post office or order them online.
Free USPS Tracking, along with other shipping features, such as Signature
Confirmation, insurance coverages (ranging from $50 to $5,000), etc., can be
added for an additional cost.

FIRST CLASS MAIL
USPS First Class - Mail is the most popular and affordable way to send
letters, postcards, envelopes, and light packages up to 15.9 ounces within
the country.
Your USPS First-Class mailings deliver within 1-3 business days, which is
very close to the speed of the USPS Priority Mail delivery.
You can send your packages to any U.S. address, P.O. Box and many
APO/FPO/DPO destinations.
You must provide your own boxes and packaging.
The most popular ways to send items via USPS First-Class Mail are packages
and padded envelopes. Both are rather large and can guarantee safe delivery
of your items.
USPS First-Class Package pricing depends on weight only. If your package

weighs more than 15.9 ounces, you must send it using USPS Priority Mail
Service.
USPS First-Class Mail offers free USPS Tracking and some additional features
that can you can add for an additional cost such as Signature Confirmation
and insurance coverage up to $5,000.
International shipping tends to be more cost-effective when shipping

internationally.

PRICE
The four most common ways to handle shipping rates for your online store are:
1- Free shipping: You just don’t charge for shipping at all.
2- Flat rate shipping: A single rate for all orders
3- Price based shipping: The shipping price is based on the total price of the
items being purchased. The price may go either up or down as the total price of
the order increases, but the price tiers are defined by the price of the order.
4- Weight based shipping: The shipping price is based on the weights of the
products ordered.
There are three ways to deal with your internal shipping costs.
1- Take the shipping cost out of your profit margin.
2- Increase the price of the product to include some (or all) of the shipping cost.
3- Pass some (or all) of the shipping cost on to your customer as a shipping line
item in the order.
When you’re a small business, it’s next to impossible to compete with the free
shipping that Amazon Prime offers. However, to compete, Random&Chic has a
base shipping rate of $8 for everything all except heavy outerwear. For outerwear,
my base shipping rate is $12. I factor the remaining balance into the price.
Important note: Make it a priority to ship orders out in an adequate time frame.

1- THE DYMO LABEL WRITER 4XL
The Dymo Label Writer 4XL is going to be my number one recommendation for
printing labels. The Dymo printer has a direct thermal printing technology that
eliminates the cost of ink or toner. It's also minimal and compact, which doesn't
take up too much space in your workspace.
2- YOU CAN PRINT FROM YOUR PERSONAL PRINTER

AND USE EITHER REGULAR COMPUTER PAPER OR
LABEL PAPER
This method is excellent for when you are first starting. However, as you grow, this
will quickly become expensive due to the cost of both ink and label paper.

3- YOU CAN GO DIRECTLY INTO YOUR LOCAL USPS
You can go directly into your local USPS if you don't have access to a printer or
paper. No worries, take your packages directly to your local post office. Below
are a few tips to expedite your trips:
1- Have your items already packaged
2- Pre-fill out any of your forms, shipping or priority address label (shown
below) or international customs forms.
3- Double-check to ensure correct information is correct.
4- USPS SELF SERVICE KIOSK

If you went to explore a variety of shipping options and price point comparisons. Or
perhaps you're not from the U.S. and need different options. I have listed my top
three eCommerce shipping software solution below:
1- Shipping
2- Ship Station
3- Stamps.com

Part Eleven
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
THE GREATEST
MARKETING TOOL

The number one question I receive is, "How do you grow a following?" My
answer is always the same.
Instead of focusing on growing new followers, pay attention to the followers

that are in front of you. Understanding that, 10 Loyal customers are worth
more than 100,000 customers that shop once. I spent nearly ten years working
in luxury retail as a sales associate. Having a performance-based job showed
me the value in nurturing client relationships— better known as clienteling.
Building Clientele is known as a sales technique of forming personal

relationships with clients based on their habits and preferences. The leverage
you will have as a small business owner is that you can develop a personal
relationship with your customers. Below I have listed my top five ways to
effectively clientele:

HANDWRITTEN NOTES
When you're in the business of creating a personal connection with a customer,

a handwritten note makes a world of difference. When you take the time to
compose a written message, you're showing that you care. Writing a letter or
note by hand may take a bit more time, but the benefits will far outweigh the
effort it takes. Below you'll find a personal example of one of my notes:

FOLLOW UP MESSAGE
When a job is complete, you still have the responsibility to stay in touch with
your customers. A simple email follow-up that thanks the customer for their
business can go a long way. As well as inquiring about how you could have
enhanced their experience. Below is a follow-up email template:

PERSONAL SHOPPER
Once you began to receive reoccurring customers. You must become their
personal shopper. Begin to make notations on the items they purchase and
observe the correlation. Check out their social media accounts to make your
assessment on their style. Once you've done that, begin to suggest items that
compliment their style. Let them know you specifically picked a piece just for
them. This gesture will not only show your customers they are unique, but it
also builds trust. I have listed a template email below:

GET PERSONAL
After cultivating a fierce relationship with your customers, the last thing you
want is for them to be offended by an impersonal email or DM. With the help
of social media, you can build more reliable and instant connections with
your customers. I suggest sending direct messages asking about their day,
wishing them a happy birthday, or sending congratulations on significant
accomplishments.
For example: If I notice my customer has gotten engaged, I'll shoot them a
DM expressing joy and will send a hallmark card with their next order. I have
profound and meaningful conversations with my customers.
PROMOS & GIFTING

Make it a habit to reward your loyal customers. Whether it's offering them a
discount on their next purchase, giving them first picks from new inventory, or
gifting them with items you feel they may enjoy.

UNFORTUNATELY, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO MAKE
ALL OF YOUR CUSTOMERS HAPPY. BELOW YOU WILL
FIND 6 TIPS ON HOW-TO RESPOND YOU ANGRY
CUSTOMERS:
Respond as soon as possible.

Apologize for their negative experience.
Acknowledge the mistakes your company made.
Explain what may have gone wrong.
Offer an incentive, refund, or discount when necessary.
Allow them to respond with further questions, comments, or concerns.
In the last thoughts, customer service can completely energize your business
and increase customer loyalty. As you increase customer loyalty, you also, in
turn, increase the amount of money each customer spends with your business.
Customer service is also key to how often a customer buys from you and how
positive word-of-mouth gets generated for your business. Perfecting your
customer experience is an essential part of The Art Of Resale.

This concludes The Art Of Resale.
I hope you are inspired and ready to thrift your way into six figures!
The real work begins now! Remember, Beyoncé wasn’t built in a day.
Be kind to yourself and patient as you embark on your journey. I wish you all
the joy and success your heart desires.
Sincerely,
Shayla Janel

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Random&Chic presents

Thrifting Into Six Figures

My names is Shayla Janel. I am the Owner of a Houston-based Online Vintage

The resale industry is nothing more than purchasing previously owned

THE ART OF RESALE 01

THE ART OF RESALE 02

THE ART OF RESALE 03

TRAP YOURSELF INTO STARTING

PLAN A SMALL LAUNCH PARTY

You have to learn how to clap for

THE ART OF RESALE 04

Align yourself with people who will

THE ART OF RESALE 05

Affirm: by focusing my attention on the

Affirm: I have more than enough time,

THE ART OF RESALE 06

THE ART OF RESALE 07

THE ART OF RESALE 08

Numbers Don't Lie

The RealReal, a luxury consignment site, reported revenues of $207 million in

THE ART OF RESALE 09

In lamens terms, the fashion industry, particularly fast fashion, is destroying

THE ART OF RESALE 10

B POTENTIAL MINIMAL RISK

C READY STREAM OF BUYERS

THE ART OF RESALE 11

THE ART OF RESALE 12

THE ART OF RESALE 13

THE ART OF RESALE 14

THE ART OF RESALE 15

THE ART OF RESALE 16

THE ART OF RESALE 17

THE ART OF RESALE 19

Vintage clothing typically runs smaller.

SIZING HACK: Measure waist on pants

THE ART OF RESALE 20

1. To quickly assess an item's quality, hold the fabric up to a bright light.

Important note: adequately describing the fabric and measurements are

THE ART OF RESALE 21

THE ART OF RESALE 22

THE ART OF RESALE 24

USE BELTS BREAK UP PATTERNS

THE ART OF RESALE 27

MANIPULATE ITEMS WITH TURN OVER SIZED BLOUSES

THE ART OF RESALE 28

TURN THE ITEM TURN TOPS INTO

THE ART OF RESALE 29

THE ART OF RESALE 30

Turn Oversized Blouses into Dresses

Items can be Manipulated with Buttons, Zippers, etc

Turn The Item Around!

Select Versatile Pieces

Turn Tops into Crop Tops

Tuck the Collar

THE ART OF RESALE 31

Today’s standards for social media

Within the vintage realm, the most

Eliminating background distractions

Below I have listed 6 of my favorite