Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Guerra.
Hi Kimberly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started in November 2021, as I sat on my couch one Friday night, binge-watching a TV show. I thought, “Here I am, wasting hours of my time watching trash TV when I could be doing something more productive, something that could benefit my future.” I said, “Oh, I should start a business!” I had always known that I wanted to own my own business someday. Back then, I didn’t know myself or my passions, so I struggled to develop an idea for many years. I also always felt like a generalist, not an expert in anything specific enough to start a business.
But today, I know myself very well, so I began thinking about my passions and how to turn them into a business. Fashion! A clothing boutique! Coming from a background as a Recycling Coordinator many years ago, where I taught students, customers, and the community about environmental topics, sustainability best practices and provided learning opportunities in recycling, waste management, and natural resources, I began to think about things beyond myself. I started saying things like, “I would be contributing more waste to our environment, and I love and respect the environment,” “I love animals!” and “I love people!” I didn’t want this to be just about me; I wanted to do something that would impact others and my community. Considering all those thoughts, Retrofit Social, an online thrift shop, was born.
I started researching, writing out my business plan, and looking for freelancers to help me with aspects of the business that I knew nothing about. I contacted family and friends, asking if they had clothes they no longer wanted and would be willing to donate to my business. They had to pack it up and schedule a convenient day and time for me to pick up the items. I wanted to make the process seamless and efficient for them. I drove as far as Dallas and frequently to San Antonio to pick up donated items. My first donation came from my older sister, Laura, and we accumulated about 150 items between her and I. Family and friends started spreading the word to their acquaintances if they wanted to avoid the hassle of dealing with the items themselves. That’s how I acquired the initial inventory to start my business. Donations continue to this day.
I’m happy to share that our website is up and running, popups are being scheduled, we’re expanding our website inventory, and we’re continually improving all aspects of the business. I currently run every part of my business on my own. I am transparent with customers and keep them up to date with business activities.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In 2022, I worked on the business for a few months but encountered roadblocks and experienced stress. Fear sometimes crashed in, making me second-guess myself and my abilities. I started to get scared and feared failing in front of everyone, but more importantly, failing myself. However, I received pep talks from those closest to me, and they brought me back to the center as I continued working on my business. I took multiple breaks, with the longest lasting four months, all for my mental health. At one point, I thought that was it; I believed I had reached my limit and couldn’t go any further. But one Friday night, while watching TV (clearly, I try and fix my life on Friday nights), I felt motivated to start working on my business again. Despite hiring a freelancer to build my website, I needed help to get it fully functional. I began watching WordPress YouTube videos to manage the less technical changes on my website, and now I fully manage it myself. I plan to invest more money and have experts work on it again, but it’s saving me money while I grow the business. I advise future business owners to conduct thorough due diligence on the products or services they purchase for their business. This will save you money in the long run. Make sure you ask the right questions and ensure that what you’re investing in aligns with the needs and goals of your business.
As you know, we’re big fans of Retrofit Social. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
Retrofit Social’s mission is to promote the use of secondhand clothing while minimizing its environmental impact, ensuring a sustainable future. We aim to break the negative stigma associated with pre-owned clothes and create a more environmentally conscious market. Society is headed that way! Many retailers sell new clothes, so why not create another thrift shop that sells pre-owned clothes?
Retrofit Social is a digital platform connecting buyers to gently-used clothing and fashion accessories. Perfect clothes should not be wasted simply because of changing personal style or fit. We want to give previously worn garments a second chance at being worn and loved again. The store represents my commitment to sustainability and the idea that waste reduction starts with each of us.
Our online marketplace offers various items from popular brands, including men’s and women’s clothing, handbags, jewelry, and shoes. Our goal is to inspire a shift in thinking towards more sustainable fashion choices by providing an alternative to fast fashion and excessive waste. We want to encourage people to start considering the benefits of secondhand shopping. Only some things need to be brand new. Through our platform, shoppers can easily refresh their wardrobes with vintage, retro, & modern pieces without breaking the bank or adding to the waste stream. We strive to provide a modern, eco-friendly shopping experience by utilizing innovative technology and services. We are dedicated to creating a better future for our community and our world. We have numerous ideas and plans for the future direction of Retrofit Social. Stay Tuned!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Passion is crucial as it fuels the drive and commitment to overcome challenges and persevere in facing obstacles. Additionally, being resilient is essential because setbacks and failures are inevitable; one must be able to bounce back, learn from mistakes, and continue moving forward. It’s also important to be comfortable taking calculated risks and be willing to step outside your comfort zone. Lastly, self-motivation is key because you don’t have anyone holding your hand throughout the process, and nothing will happen if you don’t do the work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://retrofitsocial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrofitsocial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Retrofitsocial/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@retrofitsocial
Image Credits
Photography by Owner, Kimberly Guerra
