5 Game-Changing Fashion Industry Lessons That Will Level Up Your Resale Business
You don’t need to work in a luxury store to build a premium brand.
But it helps if someone who did shares the cheat codes with you.
After years working for fashion powerhouses like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Kitson LA, and Juicy Couture — and managing brands at a national level — I realized the lessons I picked up on the sales floor and in corporate boardrooms were the same strategies that built my resale business today.
If you’re ready to flip smarter and build a brand buyers trust — here are the 5 lessons from fashion retail that changed everything for me.
✅ TL;DR: Fashion Business Secrets That Help Resellers Thrive
🛍️ Treat buyers like VIPs and they’ll keep coming back
🧠 Strong branding builds perceived value (which means higher prices)
🤝 Everything — even lowball offers — is negotiable
🎯 Marketing is often more powerful than the item itself
🌐 Every part of your shop should feel intentional, not random
1. Customer Service Is a Profit Strategy
Lesson from: Nordstrom & Bloomingdale’s
At Nordstrom, I learned that handwritten thank-yous, personal profiles, and proactive outreach weren’t fluff — they were profit levers.
Even on resale platforms, you can apply this by:
Shipping fast and with care
Following up after delivery
Adding thank-you notes or loyalty discounts
When you treat buyers like luxury clients, they treat your shop like a brand they trust.
2. Create an Experience — Not Just a Listing
Lesson from: Juicy Couture, Rodeo Drive
Juicy’s stores were immersive. Branding was loud, visuals were cohesive, and the energy made customers feel something.
You can recreate that same effect online:
Use clear, styled photography
Make your shop feel curated — not random
Use storytelling in descriptions: where it came from, how it makes you feel, who it’s for
Your shop should feel like an intentional vibe — not a clearance rack.
3. Branding Builds Authority (and Pricing Power)
Lesson from: Kitson Los Angeles
The blue shopping bag from Kitson wasn’t just packaging — it was a status symbol. People bought $10 keychains just to be part of the brand.
What’s your resale brand signaling?
Do your visuals match your price point?
Do your listings feel like they belong to a premium shop?
Would someone recognize your shop without your name on it?
Strong branding doesn’t just attract — it justifies higher prices.
4. Everything Is Negotiable — Including Profit
Lesson from: Being a Fashion Buyer
In corporate retail, nothing is fixed. Vendors negotiate terms, buyers negotiate pricing — and you can, too.
As a reseller, negotiate:
Inventory prices with suppliers or friends
Bundle deals to move stale items
Counter-offers with strategy, not emotion
✨ Recommended: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss — it changed how I negotiate everything.
5. Marketing Is Often Stronger Than the Product
Lesson from: Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)
When I was a brand manager for PBR, I saw firsthand how storytelling beats specs. People weren’t obsessed with the beer — they were obsessed with the brand.
And that’s exactly how resale works.
Your job isn’t just to show the item — it’s to sell the emotion behind it.
Tell your buyers:
What makes this piece rare or exciting
Who it's perfect for
What story it carries (runway, celebrity, designer moment)
🧠 Applying These Lessons to Your Resale Business
Let’s break it down into action steps:
| Strategy | What To Do |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | Add handwritten notes, respond fast, treat buyers like repeat clients |
| Experience Design | Use consistent backgrounds, lighting, and language in your shop |
| Branding | Create a vibe — not just a shop. Make people remember you |
| Negotiation | Practice countering with confidence — especially on bundles |
| Marketing | Don’t just list items. Tell stories that sell value, not just fabric |
✨ In Conclusion: You’re Running a Brand — Not Just a Side Hustle
You don’t need a fashion degree or a corporate background to run a profitable resale business — but these lessons will give you the edge most sellers miss.
If you want repeat buyers, higher offers, and a resale business that feels legit, take these lessons seriously. They transformed mine — and they can transform yours.
📬 Want to Learn How to Double Your Profit With the Same Work?
Join the FREE More Money, Less Work Masterclass and learn:
The top 3 mistakes resellers make with branding + pricing
How to create systems that increase profit without working more
A sneak peek into my Business Buildout Course — where resellers go pro
5 comments
Good points and thank you for sharing some insight. I sell sole on poshmark. I do live streams 2xs weekly. I find the problem is the reach, and gaining traction. Ive been doing live streams 1.5 years. Its the algorithm &lack of marketing one can do for reach on posh. Even paying them to promote my closwt and bairly ever get sales from posh. If i dont go live nothing sells.
Following on IG.
I am blown away with your level of experience and your expertise in luxury brands. I am honestly just hearing about Kitson. I bet going to work must be fun at Kitson in those days. Thanks for sharing this with us and I am ready to take all in as you guide us through the world of luxury brands. I am a big fan of your Fake or Real game (smiles), I am loving it.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us! I’ve already ordered the book you recommended and can’t wait to read it. Excited to see what’s in your future newsletters! :)
Wow! Wow! Wow!
I love fashion and Customer Service snd Business! I am blown away by this newsletter allready! Thsnk yiu!
First of all, wow! Amazing writing and definitely kept me interested. I giggled a few times at some things you said. :).
I am blown away with the amount of experience you have had over time. Amazing and so much knowledge and adventure! Some of the places you mentioned I have never heard about, especially Kitson. So I will be looking that up. The book you mentioned I have it added to my list. I assume this would be good all around in life, not just business. Anyways. I loved this article and cannot wait to read more. So much fun!!