As you may know, September 23 is the anniversary of when I gathered all the money I had in the world ($900*) and opened my consignment shop.
Here’s the hottest styles we were accepting:
Minis were on the wane, maxis and midis were getting much more popular. In fact, I glued a yardstick to my counter, and if skirts measured less than 25″, we passed on them.
Here’s the big (literally) hairstyle around then.
We had SO much more time. We listened to “I Honestly Love You,” by Olivia Newton-John and Michael Murphy’s “Wildfire.” Watched M.A.S.H. and the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Didn’t have the Internet to waste our time on. Didn’t have computers.
And this was a digital camera. No one owned one. Where would they upload the pictures?
And I decided I would know I’d made it when I could get this:
(This car’s on the web for sale, in case you want to treat me.)
If you’re interested, here’s more on the Dark Ages of Consignment as seen through the eyes of the Resale Guru herself: How to Open a Consignment Shop, and My Business Plan (in 3 Words), and what readers of this blog shared on the event of my 35th anniversary celebration.
Want more 1970s time travel (wait til you see the jeans ad!) ?
* $900 wasn’t SO bad. In 2011 dollars, that would be $2700-some. And my rent, as I recall, I wangled down to $300 or so.
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
I was only 5 in 1970 🙂 But because I got some good hand me downs from relatives…I had a coat like that with the fur trim when I was 10 or so…I LOVED IT!! Congrats on your anniversary Kate…wish I had 1/2 as much passion 🙂 When I come back here and read what you have to say it does give me more though 🙂
Thanks for everything Kate
Colleen
That was really fun to read! And after all these years, still so passionate about the industry and helping us to achieve the success that you did!
Thanks for the link to the retro fashions. I worked at Montgomery Ward in the mid 70’s and remember the long vests being cool then.
Wow congrats on the anniversary! Now let me say why this anniversary story is so important to me…….
Officially today I have become the recipent of all those years of wisdom. After 5 long days (felt like I was waiting for Santa Claus), I received my copy of your bible ” Too Good to Be Threw” the complete operations manual for resale & consignment shops. Can I share my story just a bit (caution I can be long winded).
I made a decision 2 years ago to make a transition from corporated America, however the economy tanked my plan. My wonderful husband’s company took a nose dive, causing my dreams to be deferred. But, I have not lost my itch for something better! It is because of this misfortune that I once again renewed my love of consignment shopping!!!!!
On one of my excursions to one of my favorite shops 30 minutes from my home, I was in my “zone” to find some items because lately the stress of my job keeps showing up on my hips! What better way to remain a fashionista while in that weight transition (I know once my stress decreases, so will my hips) than to find some great fashion bargins. I simply love this particular place and was wondering how large it was. The ones closer to my home are usually much smaller in size. But this place was huge hence the “superstore” title in its name. I went to ask one of the staff who is ALWAYS extremely helpful just how large the space was and it just so happen, she introduced me to the owner!
Now about 4 months ago, I told my husband I was interested in starting something in retail, although I have not been in retail in years (worked in a large department store and several shoe stores through high school and college). But I just love people and people seem to love me (yes I am the one with “tell me your life story” invisibly written on my forehead, people just like talking to me) and I love clothes, SHOES and assessories. But in this economy my husband looked at me like I had 8 heads and was growing another one. Anyway, the store owner was knee deep in it appears recording her consignments, but she stopped and introduced herself and listened to me as I complimented her stores (this is her second successful venture, she has a smaller one (opend 12 years ago)closer to me I visit).
I told her of my desire and she mentioned I maybe interested in looking into a consignment store of my own. But she did not have much more time to talk, but she gave me her card with “tgtbt.com” scribbled on the back and said “read everything you see there and buy all the materials you can, it is a really great site and I use a lot of the information.” So, here I am on this site nonstop for 7 days straight, and now I have the manual. Its crazy rainy here, and I am about to curl up like I have the novel of a life time (it may very well be), and get busy planning my success story.
I just wanted to say Kate, just as I have read all the other comments on your blogs…..thank you! Here you go, launching another shop owner. I have just made another change in my current job, hoping to escape some of the pressures of corporate america (and decrease my hip size). But this time, I am calling that transition my “soft landing” until I can finally launch my dream. Makes starting that new job easier because I have a better plan hatching now. Stay tuned……..
Many thanks for your kind words, and we all can relate to your enthusiasm!
One piece of bad news however: being a consignment shop owner does NOT reduce the size of one’s hips. Goll*darn it all.
Love the hair with hot rollers 🙂 I tried sleeping on those once ~ what a mistake!! Lol.
Thanks for the fun throw back and congratulations on your anniversary. Where would we be now without you and all that experience?
I had a feather cut, OMG LOL. Congrats on you 35 years in biz. That is awesome.