How my Quarantine Hobby Became a Full Fledged Job

When I started my Depop in 2019, it was nothing more than a venture to keep me occupied during quarantine. Now, reflecting on that time and my growth since then, Depop became much more than that. Everyone who knows me likely knows I have an overflowing closet, mostly because I find myself holding onto clothes I would never wear again. As I went through my closet (mostly because I had nothing better to do), I realized the severity of my clothing surplus. During this time, my wardrobe had a drastic makeover, meaning that it was shifting from who I was in middle school into who I wanted to become in high school. This meant that I had a lot of clothes from the (cringe) 2010s that I needed to get rid of as soon as possible. So, to keep my hands busy, I began to sell those clothes on Depop under the shop name Releigh Freya. 

After the realization that people were selling items that they bought from thrift stores, I began selling things that I thrifted in hopes of establishing a vintage niche. Soon enough, I became pretty good at finding desirable items, especially 90s, and 2000s clothing items. After honing my thrifting skills with a bit of dedication, my Depop store took off. Although the way I say makes it seem as if it was an immediate boom to regular sales, popularity, and general success within the Depop community, it took me years to actually figure out what I wanted to market my brand as and find true connections that lead me to the position I am in today. 

Originally, my Depop acted as a mode of escape rather than a form of employment, but as I got more consistent with listing items and having a presence on the app, it became more of a serious venture and I began to make significant amounts of money while doing something that I love. I have always been an advocate for sustainability which is why Depop is such a perfect fit for me. Not only did Depop provide me with a forum to connect with like-minded individuals, but it also gave me a platform to advocate for reducing textile waste and provide opportunities to purchase vintage clothes at a price comparable to the market’s. 

Although I’ve talked significantly about the origins of my Depop, a lot amount has changed since the beginning of my Depop journey.  For one, I regularly use social media to promote inventory and follow the latest fashion patterns and social trends in order to accurately source inventory that I know will sell. For example, “European fashion” as seen on Bella Hadid and Melissa Tatti (@threadsobssessed) has taken the form of “blokecore”(think retro soccer jerseys, Adidas sambas and gazelles, baggy cargo pants, and sporty country spell-out jackets). In response, I reached out to one of my vintage wholesalers in advance about sourcing inventory that fits that trend. In addition to the hard work of one of my regular wholesalers, I pride myself on spending hours curating pieces from local thrift stores and suppliers that don’t only fit into the specific niche, but also come in a variety of sizes to promote diversity in clothing. Clothes, especially vintage clothing should be for everyone) and I want to ensure that Releigh Freya is associated with a versatile, accommodating, and diverse demographic of buyers. 

I am undeniably proud of the progress that I’ve made with Releigh Freya, whether that includes getting the opportunity to join a variety of other Depop sellers in an educational panel on how to level up your Depop shop, being interviewed for magazines and capstone projects, corresponding with some of my favorite vintage and sustainable creators regarding collaborations, and even receiving brand deals of my own from sustainable brands across the world. My Depop has opened a lot of doors for me and although it can be difficult to run things by myself, I know that one day it will pay off even more than it already has.

P.S. If you’re looking for a reason to start a business or sell on Depop, this might be it!