Eight years of buying, selling, and sourcing secondhand creates a very different perspective on what makes a great thrift find. This conversation digs into the hard-earned thrifting lessons that can help shoppers and resellers think differently about quality, inventory, sourcing, and what actually sells.

Maggie talks with Lauren about the realities of running a thrift store, from sourcing enough inventory and buying clothing directly from customers to markdowns, seasonal merchandise, and developing a better eye for secondhand quality. Whether you thrift for yourself or source inventory to resell, Lauren’s experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at how thrift store ownership changes the way you shop.
 

ABOUT THE GUEST
Lauren is the founder of My Sister’s Closet, a Michigan-based secondhand clothing shop that grew from Instagram sales into a brick-and-mortar store. Her love of thrifting began while studying film in college, where she learned to style productions on tight budgets. Today, Lauren combines her passion for secondhand fashion with her YouTube channel, where she shares thrifting adventures, home décor, and her approach to simple living with an audience of more than 60,000 subscribers.


YouTube: @LaurenManz
IG: lauren_manz
Website: https://www.mscthrift.com/

 

SHOW NOTES & TAKEAWAYS

  • How years of thrift store ownership changed Lauren’s approach to buying secondhand
  • Why clothing quality matters more when you see what holds up over time
  • What happens to inventory that doesn’t sell and how markdown decisions are made
  • Why sourcing enough merchandise can become one of a thrift store’s biggest challenges
  • How buying directly from customers changed Lauren’s inventory strategy
  • Why patience is still one of the most useful skills for finding great thrifted pieces