How Resale Work Shaped Me
After years of triumphing in the food service industry with roles as cashier, barista, and kitchen staff, in my sophomore year of college I was ready to be in a retail environment and get my foot in the door to the fashion industry. I applied to my favorite resale clothing store called Ashby here in Richmond, Virginia because I saw online that they were hiring. About a month later I got an email back to schedule an interview, and I've remained a loyal employee ever since.
Shelf display merchandised by me.
The role I've embarked on at Ashby has strengthened all the necessary skills of customer service, attention to detail, communication, problem-solving, and more. Learning the ins and outs of daily store operations for as long as I have has helped me solidify a sense of confidence in these traits. In this post however, I want to focus more on the ways I've personally grown, as well as the mental shifts I've seen within myself as a result of my experience at Ashby.
The role started as a means to simply gain exposure to a clothing store, and start to save some money as a young college student. Today, I see my time at Ashby thus far as a role that has of course deepened my understanding of resale retail, but more importantly has helped shape several of my core values that I carry with me on a daily basis. To paint a picture, I am surrounded by a constantly changing assortment of vintage finds, modern brands, and unique pieces every day. Each item brought through the store carries a story; witnessing the details within each piece, and having encounters with people have generated a desire within me to understand more. Interaction with loose threads, wear and tear, and brands unbeknownst to me fuel an ongoing feeling of curiosity, in and outside of work. The same curious energy that applies to getting to know these second-hand garments is something I have found myself applying to life outside of work, or even school.
This sense of curiosity led to the inclination to understand myself, particularly when it comes to my personal style on a more intentional level. My whole life I have received the advice to only buy something if I'm 100% in love with it. Being exposed to that many pieces of clothing at such a high level almost forced me to put this sentiment to practice. I find myself asking the questions of “Are you 100% obsessed with this shirt?” “How often will you wear this?” in my head about 100 times a day at work. This way of approaching shopping for myself has fostered a stronger connection and understanding of my own personal style. I am getting to a point where I can fully identify what I truly like and dislike for myself when it comes to clothing, which is a state of mind I was so far removed from just a few years ago.
Styling by me for social media content.
Upon reflection, all of the small experiences I’ve encountered as my role as a sales associate at Ashby have shaped a more curious, empathetic, rejuvenated version of myself. The way that I work has naturally grown being in a retail environment, but more so it has influenced how I approach creativity, and the practice of mindfulness.
