Rae i know this could work -- i've seen sellers online who do this. I think it will also require a lot of your time as i'm sure you know thrift store shopping can be quite time consuming and if you're not just going for yourself but multiples sizes as well even more so. But if you can get your name out there and find a good client base -- go for it! If you're going to try to start online i think styling plays a big roll in who gets the bids and sales.

Here's a link to one of my favorite bloggers who does this sort of thing:
http://fancytreehouse.bigcartel.com/

I think this is a fabulous idea Rae... I love the idea of a home "party" because it would allow you to help the gals style the items as well.. which will be the selling point. Keep us posted!

What a cool idea!! Great advice in here already, just wanted to throw this thought into the mix: Because it will take a lot of your time, and because it's something fairly specialized, you are likely going to need to have multiple outlets for income. So for example, hosting parties, personalized trips to the shops, continue selling some stuff on ebay, possibly opening an etsy shop for vintage stuff, having a more curated selection in a small online shop, offering additional custom services like dying either customer items or purchased items, etc. Especially when starting out you'll likely need a few outlets then as you become more well known and get some stability and experience, you can then eliminate or expand those that are working the best.

re: online, I've been selling online for about 8 years. it's still a decent market, but some brands don't sell well because people just aren't familiar enough with the brands to search for them. Plus all the pain of measuring and describing fabric. My best moving stuff is AT and J. Crew.

I would still probably continue my online selling, but the party idea *could* actually end up being less of a time commitment for me and bring in more $/time, since I won't have to ship, pay for shipping materials, etc.

Another benefit to having some sort of online storefront is that it's great to have somewhere to send people who've attended your parties; it gives them the option to continue benefiting from your curated boutique on their own time schedule.

Clever idea! Sunds like you have a gret idea that wouldn't cost abundle to initiate. Good luck!

I wonder if you could also brainstorm ways to go after the women who have more money than time. What could you do that they'd pay you to do for them? I'm thinking of the lawyer who is longing for a small touch of something unique. Or a marketing exec who needs a stylish edge but doesn't have time to search it out and put it together. They want "unique" but don't have time to scour all the little places and find all the local designers. Can you build a reputation as their personal vintage-and-boutique-and- hand-crafted-jewelry shopper and stylist? Could the women over at corporette tell you if they'd hire someone to do this for them?

I think Liz is onto something. I think what you'd be selling, as much as specific products, is YOU—your smarts, practicality, warmth, verve, and unique style. And I think you COULD make a go of this, absolutely. You have something that many others do not have, and it goes beyond access to thrift stores.

Lots to think about, Rae!

As someone who runs her own business, you need to spend some time doing the sums. How much can you actually make in a good month - and will it be enough?

I would pay to have someone scour the internet for me looking for things I "need" (as opposed to when I'm just browsing)...

I love the ideia! Go for it!