Business of Vintage Podcast

What does it take to sell 1k+ pieces a month on Whatnot? Steph Eche, entrepreneur, vintage reseller, live selling expert, and founder of Costura, shares how she turned a resale side hustle into a thriving live selling business generating over $300k in annual sales. In this episode, Steph and Sloane break down how live selling on Whatnot has transformed her business. It's been a journey: from sourcing inventory at the Goodwill bins to securing large-scale vintage and Y2K wholesale buys, building a loyal community of repeat buyers, and shipping more than 1,000 pieces every month. They discuss how to find your niche by paying attention to customer responses, why consistent on-camera authenticity drives sales, how to build systems that support high-volume selling, and why taking calculated risks unlocks new opportunities for growth. Whether you're considering live selling on Whatnot for the first time or are seasoned on the platform, this episode offers practical lessons on growing your business through experimentation, connection, and a willingness to take risks.
Today's Guest:Steph Eche (@houseofcostura)Entrepreneur, Vintage Reseller & Founder of CosturaShop Costura on Whatnot: https://www.whatnot.com/user/costura?referringSource=autocomplete
Hosted by:Sloane Middleton Mann (@business.of.vintage)Founder of Business of VintageLearn more: businessofvintage.com

Kaahreena Ochoco, entrepreneur, reseller, community builder, and founder of Vibe Consignment, shares how she built a thriving consignment business from her experience as an online reseller and turned it into a 2,500-square-foot storefront in The Dalles, Oregon. In this episode, Kaahreena and Sloane break down how consignment can help vintage sellers grow their inventory without the upfront cost of buying it, why strong systems and clear expectations are essential when you're managing other people's property, and how Kaahreena has adapted her business across more than a decade of changes in resale. They discuss the software and systems that keep consignors organized, the importance of building trust with consignors, how to use customer conversations to create better social media content, and why staying flexible has been central to Kaahreena's growth. Whether you're considering starting a consignment business, trying to grow an existing vintage shop, looking for ways to organize your inventory and payouts, or struggling to connect with customers on social media, this episode offers practical lessons on building a sustainable, community-focused resale business.
Today's Guest: Kaahreena Ochoco (@vibeconsignment)
Entrepreneur, Reseller, Community Builder & Founder of Vibe Consignment
Hosted by: Sloane Middleton Mann (@business.of.vintage)
Founder of Business of Vintage Learn more: businessofvintage.com

Clothing swaps are creating a new way to participate in the circular fashion economy. Vanessa Sanchez, co-founder of Bonnee, a clothing swap app, shares how technology, community, and sustainability can help people get more value from the clothes already in their closets—and what vintage sellers can learn from the model.
In this episode, Vanessa and Sloane explore the rise of online clothing swaps, why human curation builds trust in secondhand marketplaces, how vintage sellers can use swapping to move slow-moving inventory, and why community is becoming increasingly important in the resale industry. They also discuss founder storytelling, social media marketing, sourcing through customer demand, and the challenges of building a fashion-tech company in the circular fashion space.
Whether you're a vintage seller looking for new ways to move inventory, interested in sustainable fashion and resale, or curious about how technology could reshape the secondhand market, this episode offers practical ideas for building a stronger, more connected vintage business.
Today's Guest: Vanessa Sanchez (@SwapBonnee)
Co-Founder of Bonnee, Entrepreneur & Sustainability Advocate
Hosted by: Sloane Middleton Mann (@business.of.vintage)
Founder of Business of Vintage
Learn more: businessofvintage.com
Learn more about Bonnee: bonnee.co

Emily Stochl, resale fashion journalist, creator of Pre-Loved Podcast, and vintage industry expert, shares how vintage sellers can use press, influencers, creators, and affiliate partnerships to grow their visibility, build credibility, and reach new customers beyond social media.
In this episode, Emily and Sloane break down why external channels like local press and niche creators can be so powerful for vintage businesses. They discuss the long-term value of earned media, how a single press mention can build credibility with customers, journalists, lenders, grant organizations, and community partners, and why getting featured in the right publication can continue driving discovery long after the original story is published.
Whether you're trying to get your first press mention, expand beyond Instagram, attract new customers, or build your vintage shop into a recognized community business, this episode offers practical strategies for turning your story into visibility.
Today's Guest: Emily Stochl (@emilymstochl)
Resale Fashion Journalist, Creator of Pre-Loved & Vintage Industry Expert
Hosted by: Sloane Middleton Mann (@business.of.vintage)
Founder of Business of Vintage
Learn more: businessofvintage.com
Book Business of Vintage's PR Services for Vintage Sellers: businessofvintage.com/pr-services

Kido The One, vintage entrepreneur, curator, content creator, and educator, joins the podcast to share how a curiosity for thrift shopping in Australia grew into a multi-layered vintage business built around sourcing, wholesale, eBay, live selling, and community.
What started with selling a few thrifted pieces from local “op shops” has evolved into a business that moves thousands of vintage items, supplies sellers around the world, and helps shape conversations around modern vintage entrepreneurship. Through years of experimentation, building relationships, and understanding the resale market, Kido has created a unique approach to vintage that goes beyond finding great pieces—it’s about building systems, adapting to change, and creating a business designed to last.
In this episode, Kido shares how he transitioned from individual sales into wholesale, why vintage sellers need to understand their numbers and build strong operational foundations, and how relationships—not just inventory—create long-term success. He also discusses the role of social media in building a personal brand, the power of putting yourself out there, how live selling is changing the future of vintage commerce, and why testing new ideas while staying focused on what already works is the key to sustainable growth.
Today's Guest: Kido The One (@kidotheone)
Vintage Entrepreneur, Curator, Content Creator & Educator
Hosted by: Sloane Middleton Mann (@business.of.vintage)
Founder of Business of Vintage
Learn more:
businessofvintage.com
 

Sam Lopez, founder of @samspantsandplants and co-founder of the Houston Clothing Swap and Conscious Consumer Collective, joins the podcast to share how a passion for vintage fashion, thrifting, and conscious consumerism grew into one of Houston's largest community-driven sustainability movements.
What began as a small clothing swap under a 10x10 tent has evolved into a nonprofit organization hosting large-scale clothing swap events that have welcomed thousands of attendees, diverted thousands of pounds of clothing from landfills, and made secondhand fashion more accessible to the Houston community. Alongside co-founders Raquel Sondate and Diana Swick, Sam is redefining what clothing swaps can look like—and proving that community is one of the most powerful tools for building a circular fashion economy.
In this episode, Sam shares how she scaled the Houston Clothing Swap from a grassroots idea into a thriving nonprofit, why listening to your community is essential when building something new, and how clothing swaps can empower vintage sellers, resellers, and everyday consumers alike. She also opens up about the deeply personal journey that inspired her colorful style, her work in sustainability, and why fashion can be a powerful source of healing, creativity, and connection.
Today's Guest: Sam Lopez (@samspantsandplants)
Co-Founder of Houston Clothing Swap & Conscious Consumer Collective
Hosted by: Sloane Middleton Mann (@business.of.vintage)
Founder of Business of Vintage
Learn more:
businessofvintage.com

Katie Porter, founder of Porter Vintage, joins the podcast to share how she built one of San Francisco's most beloved vintage businesses by trusting her instincts, embracing community, and never waiting for the "perfect" moment to start.
What began as a driveway pop-up outside Katie's apartment has grown into a thriving vintage brand with a permanent weekly presence in the Mission, a shop inside 710 Collective on Haight Street, a dedicated showroom and event space, and regular vintage shows in New York City. Over the past decade, Katie has built Porter Vintage one opportunity at a time, proving that meaningful businesses are often created by simply showing up consistently.
In this episode, Katie reflects on the moment she nearly walked away from vintage, the power of listening to your intuition, and letting your freak flag fly. She shares practical lessons on hiring a team, managing multiple selling locations, creating systems that support growth, and building authentic community around your business.
Katie Porter (@portervintage)
Founder of Porter Vintage 
Hosted by:
Sloane Middleton Mann (@business.of.vintage)
Founder of Business of Vintage
Learn more:
businessofvintage.com

Liisa Jokinen, co-founder of Gem, joins the podcast to share her journey from pioneering street style photography in the early 2000s to building one of the most influential technology platforms in the vintage and secondhand fashion space.
Long before Instagram existed, Liisa was documenting personal style on the streets of Helsinki and New York, capturing the creativity, individuality, and stories behind what people wear. Those experiences eventually led her to co-found Gem, a search engine that helps shoppers discover vintage and secondhand pieces across marketplaces and independent stores all in one place.
In this episode, Liisa shares the story behind building Gem with her husband, what she's learned from six years of growing a fashion tech company, and why she believes the future of fashion is rooted in resale. She also offers practical advice for vintage sellers on improving discoverability, writing stronger listings, creating memorable brands, sourcing inventory strategically, and standing out in an increasingly competitive market.
 
Liisa Jokinen (@liisajokinen)
Co-Founder of Gem (@gem.app)
Use Gem: https://gem.app/
Hosted by:
Sloane Middleton Mann (@business.of.vintage)
Founder of Business of Vintage
Learn more:
businessofvintage.com

Lindsay Brown, founder of A Day in June and newly opened sister store St. Taylor Studio, joins the podcast to share the real story behind building a vintage business from the ground up. What started with coffee shifts, warehouse spaces, weekend markets, and years of bootstrapping eventually became two beloved community-centered concept stores in Baltimore.In this episode, Lindsay opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship: surviving a painful business partnership fallout, building a business without investors or loans, learning to trust her instincts, and why vulnerability on social media unexpectedly transformed her connection with customers. She also shares the inspiration behind creating spaces rooted in joy, intention, and human connection — and why she believes vintage stores are really in the business of people.This conversation is an honest look at the emotional side of entrepreneurship, reclaiming your story, and what it truly takes to build a meaningful business in the vintage world.
 
Lindsay Brown (@adayinjunevintage) 
Founder of A Day In June and St. Taylor Studio 
Hosted by:
Sloane Middleton Mann (@business.of.vintage)
Founder of Business of Vintage
Learn more:
businessofvintage.com

Vintage Store Day is one month away: May 16th, 2026. The new retail holiday is in it's 2nd year, and it celebrates how small vintage businesses are so often pillars of their communities. It also has the potential to be your best day of sales yet - if you know how to build up the buzz for it. 
 
The team behind Vintage Store Day (Kyla Embrey & Sarah Azzouzi of Lost Girls Vintage, Emma Louis of Rare Form Chicago, Emily Stochl of Pre-Loved, and me - Sloane Middleton Mann of Business of Vintage) are here to help. We've organized an educational webinar that will equip sellers with the tools to pitch themselves for press & create social media buzz. Don't miss the Vintage Visibility Webinar on April 22nd: https://itsvintagestoreday.com/pages/vintage-visibility-webinar
 
Guests: Kyla Embrey, Sarah Azzouzi, Emma LewisCo-Founders of Vintage Store Day, IG @vintage_store_day
  Emily Stochl (@emilymstochl)Resale Journalist & Host of the Pre-Loved Podcast
Hosted by:Sloane Middleton MannFounder of Business of Vintage
Learn more: businessofvintage.com
About Business of Vintage Podcast:
Every vintage item has a story, and every vintage shop does too. Celebrate the past, while thriving today, on the Business of Vintage Podcast. Hosted by Sloane Middleton Mann, founder of Business of Vintage: the world’s only marketing agency built specifically for vintage shops.