This week’s question came in via email from Sarah. She asks, “I love thrift store shopping and I’m thinking of starting to sell some of my finds online, but I’m not really sure where to start. Do you have any advice or suggestions to other young girls looking to start their own business?”

First off, thanks for the great question, Sarah. I really encourage you to go for it – running your own business is certainly no easy task, but it is so rewarding to work hard and see something you love flourish and grow.  I have a few pieces of advice to anyone who’s just starting out.

Make sure to do your research first! Go out into the market and check out what’s selling and who’s selling it. For vintage clothing, two great places to start are eBay and Etsy. Try to learn as much as you can about your potential customers: why would they want to buy your products? What unique need are you filling in the marketplace? What will make your shop special – why would your customers choose you instead of the competition? The answers to these questions will inevitably change once your business is up and running and you (hopefully) find your niche, but it’s very important to have a clear direction when you’re starting out.

My next piece of advice is to hang in there. Things will inevitably be slow at first, and you need to be willing to persevere. Years ago, ModCloth only had a handful of orders per month, and you have to keep the big picture in mind to see those times through. Since we first launched in 2002, I’ve had plenty of encouragement – but I have also heard plenty of doubt. Be prepared for the naysayers – a confident attitude is a must!

I hope this helps you, Sarah (and any other budding entrepreneurs out there). As always, leave your questions right here in the comments or email asksusan@modcloth.com. Till next time!

PS. Congratulations to Julie, who was randomly selected for a $50 gift certificate from the last installment of Ask Susan!