Today we’d like to introduce you to Nica Yusay.
Hi Nica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As a teenager, I found myself at my local thrift stores searching for hidden treasures I could revive and incorporate into my closet. The thrill of the hunt is in my DNA so naturally it easily became a passion of mine. Fast forward to adulthood, I got my first big girl job in corporate America. I was now able to spend a little more on nicer things and I saw a few of my friends were buying their first designer bag. Wanting to do the same, I realized the retail prices for designer bags are still more than I felt comfortable spending. Then it hit me, why don’t I buy one that’s used? Since then, I frequent my local thrift stores and consignment shops more often than I like to admit. Even when the shops are closed, you can find me hunting online for a vintage Chanel bag at 3am. When FashioNica came to fruition, it was almost “perfectenshlag” (cue “The Office” fans). My small business is an archive of curated bags I’d wear myself that I’ve sourced and helped bring back to life for someone new to enjoy.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For anyone who has a business, there are different challenges that arise with each phase of your business. Initially, in 2020, I think starting the business itself was a risk since COVID was rampant and additionally the upfront investment was a lot, but I’m grateful I was working at my corporate job. I used that almost as a safety net- “if I fail, I still have my main source of stable income”. I ended up saving around $15,000 from my corporate job in order to kickstart this side business and in the first year, FashioNica hit almost $100,000 in sales.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My name is Nica Yusay, and I am a proud first-generation Filipino-American with a love for designer bags. Growing up in a single-parent household, money was tight so I found ways to cultivate my love for fashion by finding secondhand pieces at thrift stores, garage sales, and consignment shops. Fast forward to today, my love for thrifting has only grown and I have now turned my passion into a full-time business.
In January 2022, I quit my corporate job and invested $15,000 into vintage designer bags to promote sustainable and conscientious fashion. Today, I have hit over $2 million dollars in revenue and have engaged over 300k members in the circular fashion economy in order to create a more sustainable future. I am motivated knowing that each purchase is a step toward thoughtful and sustainable consumption. One instance of impact is my Secondhand September feature in partnership with Whatnot. During this event, my community and I raised over $8500 to the Oxfam Foundation to rebuild communities in low-income areas that are displaced and impacted by climate change.
Every Wednesday is “Bag Drop Day” where I live stream with my online community on TikTok, Instagram. and Youtube and sell out within minutes, currently selling ~$75,000+ in vintage designer bags a week. In 2022, we hit $2.4 million in revenue, a 700% growth YoY.
My proudest achievement was when I was recently interviewed by CNBC Make It about my business (Check out the interview here!: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/28/fashionica-side-hustle-to-selling-vintage-designer-purses-full-time.html).
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The internet is at your fingertips, using it effectively can increase your chances of finding your community, your network, your mentor. There are so many like-minded individuals on social media that are willing and ready to help anyone who is starting a business or needs career advice in general.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopfashionica.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xofashionica/?utm_medium=copy_link
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xofashionica
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Fashionica
- Other: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/28/fashionica-side-hustle-to-selling-vintage-designer-purses-full-time.html
Image Credits
Carl Carpentier
