Top 5 Business Lessons from Fashion to Grow Your Resale Brand

Why Your Fashion Experience Matters

Why should you listen to me? What qualifies me to teach you anything about running a resale business or succeeding in fashion? While I may be just as crazy as the next online personality (my boyfriend would certainly agree), I come with years of real-world experience in the fashion industry, luxury retail, and corporate marketing.

I didn’t realize how much I was learning while folding clothes, writing customer thank-you letters, or re-merchandising store windows. It wasn’t until I started my own business that the lessons I learned began to click. Like a puzzle, all those random pieces started coming together. Now, I want to help you connect those dots without the stress I went through.

Here are the top five lessons I learned from my time in the fashion industry—and how they can help transform your resale business.

1. Customer Service Is Everything

Lessons From Luxury Retailers: Nordstrom & Bloomingdale’s

During my time as a sales associate at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, I learned the art of exceptional customer service. On commission, we had to make sure customers came back to us for every future need. How did we do this? By going above and beyond:

• Writing handwritten thank-you notes.
• Keeping detailed customer profiles with personal information like anniversaries, birthdays, and preferences.
• Reaching out when new items arrived or during presales.

This personal touch created loyal customers who trusted us for all their shopping needs. In resale, treating your customers like VIPs can make all the difference. Respond to inquiries promptly, package your items with care, and thank your buyers. If someone spends money with you, honor that investment. Treat them well—or someone else will.

2. Create an Unforgettable Customer Experience

Lessons From Juicy Couture on Rodeo Drive

At Juicy Couture’s Rodeo Drive location, we created an immersive shopping experience. Every detail of the store—from the visuals to the customer service—was designed to make shoppers feel like they were stepping into a magical world.

For your resale business, this means curating your online presence with care. Use beautiful photos, detailed descriptions, and cohesive branding. Make your storefront (whether it’s on Poshmark, eBay, or Shopify) a place customers want to return to again and again.

3. Branding Builds Authority

Lessons From My Days as a Buyer for Kitson Los Angeles

Kitson Los Angeles was a celebrity hotspot and a branding powerhouse. The store’s iconic blue shopping bag became a status symbol. Customers didn’t just buy products—they bought into a lifestyle. The owner’s branding genius created demand for even the simplest items.

For your business, focus on building a strong, recognizable brand. Ask yourself:

• What does my brand stand for?
• What story am I telling my customers?
• How can I create a cohesive shopping experience that makes people feel connected to my brand?

Remember: perception is value. If customers see your brand as premium, they’ll pay premium prices.

4. There’s Always Room to Negotiate

Lessons From the Art of Negotiation

As a retail buyer, I learned that nothing is set in stone. Contracts, prices, deals—everything is negotiable. This skill is essential for any business owner. Whether you're negotiating prices with suppliers, offering bundle discounts to customers, or countering lowball offers on reselling platforms, negotiation is key to maximizing profits.

If negotiating feels intimidating, I highly recommend reading "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss. The strategies in this book will empower you to negotiate like a pro.

5. Marketing Is More Powerful Than Quality

Lessons From Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)

During my corporate job as a brand manager for PBR, I realized that marketing is king. People didn’t love PBR because of the beer; they loved what the brand represented—a lifestyle. Thousands of people even tattooed the logo on their bodies! This taught me a valuable lesson: people buy into stories, not just products.

For your resale business:

• Create an emotional connection with your customers.
• Use marketing to position your items as desirable, aspirational, and valuable.
• Tell stories about your products—where they came from, what they represent, or why they’re special.

How to Apply These Lessons to Your Resale Business

These lessons aren’t just for big retailers—they apply to small businesses and resellers too. Here’s how you can start:

1. Invest in your customer relationships. Make buyers feel valued and appreciated.
2. Build a strong brand. Stand out with cohesive visuals, engaging stories, and consistent messaging.
3. Always negotiate. Whether buying inventory or making sales, maximize your profit margins.
4. Focus on the customer experience. Your online store should be inviting, seamless, and memorable.
5. Prioritize marketing. Showcase your items in a way that highlights their value and connects emotionally with buyers.

In Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far, you’re already ahead of the game! I’ve shared these lessons because I believe in helping other resellers succeed. I hope these insights inspire you to take your business to the next level.

Have questions or want to dive deeper into any of these topics? Leave a comment or send me a message on Instagram—I’m always happy to chat about pricing, branding, and marketing.

Want to Learn More?

What if I told you that you could double your profits with the same amount of work?

My Business Buildout Course is designed to help you streamline your processes, optimize your time, and create a highly profitable resale business. Join the waitlist today for exclusive pricing and a sneak peek at the strategies my clients swear by!

To get a sneak peek of some of the key strategies we use to win, take the FREE More Money Less Work Masterclass