Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Reyes.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2015, I created “JReyesFashion” which was a blog where I shared my daily outfits and fashion trends. “JReyesFashion” was my outlet for all things fashion; I used this name for my Poshmark and Depop where I began to sell clothing from my closet clean-outs and would use this revenue to purchase more clothing. I got a small taste of what it was like to manage online sales- and I loved it! I got introduced into the vintage world in 2017 when I came across the perfect pair of vintage Versace jeans that fit me like a glove – the feeling was priceless. I became obsessed with finding more gems such as this one and I wanted to give others the opportunity to have this same feeling. At the time, I was working full-time as a Retail Buyer and shopping for vintage pieces was just a hobby but I knew I wanted it to become so much more. In 2020, when the pandemic hit, I was laid off from my position and I got that extra push that I was missing to finally launch my business. In December of 2020, I launched my first JReyesFashion drop that consisted of curated vintage designer sunglasses. In March of 2021, I launched my online website and did my very first pop-up. To this day, I still do pop-ups every weekend and it’s been one of my favorite things about having my own business.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has definitely not been smooth but I’d like to mention that it has been very doable with the support of my family. Doing pop-ups every weekend requires a lot of prep that includes: days of sourcing new inventory, tagging, washing, mending clothes, packing the car with my displays and racks, arriving early to the venue to set up my booth, and the list goes on. I’m not really sure how I would manage if I had to do this all alone but like I mentioned, this is all possible because my parents, my boyfriend or my brother are always there to help. I have so many people to lean on for help and not many people can say they have such a badass support system. I jumped into this business with only the skills I learned at FIDM and my previous job experiences so I am still learning how to manage my own brand as I go. I have days where I feel stuck in a creative block and other days I am exploding with ideas so even though it’s been a roller coaster of emotions, I have to constantly remind myself that my business is still very young and I’m taking all the highs and even the lowest of the lows as learning opportunities.
As you know, we’re big fans of JReyesFashion. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
JReyesFashion specializes in curated vintage clothing and accessories from the 80s to early 2000s for both men and women. I like to say that JReyesFashion is an extension of my own personal wardrobe; everything I source for the shop are things that I see myself wearing so I truly believe in every single piece.
I am most proud of creating this space where returning and new customers can come to find nostalgic pieces. It’s much more special to find a vintage piece that’s your size and style because everything is 1 of 1, so when customers come to my shop at pop-ups and they find something that they love, it’s an amazing feeling for them and for me also because I made that happen. Those hours I spent sourcing all of a sudden feel so rewarding.
I like to keep my DM’s open on Instagram for any sourcing requests or styling assistance. If you want to come to visit us IRL, you can follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jreyesfashion/) where we post where we will be for the weekend and talk about our future online drops.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success means achieving my short and long-term goals and even the process it takes in between to fulfill them is important to highlight. Being successful also means being happy and waking up every morning with excitement to work for my own business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jreyesfashion.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jreyesfashion/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jreyesfashion?_t=8bEOjzTFWe6&_r=1
