Start a thrift shop for $900
Filed in archive Bootstrapping Opportunities by Shawn Hessinger on February 18, 2008

In her instructional manual "Too Good to be Threw", Kate Holmes, Sarasota, FL, outlines the basics of bootstrapping a successful thrift shop, something she herself did in 1975 when fired from her job.
Kate recommends a couple of basics:
• Start with a minimum of 1200 square feet and room to expand
• Choose a location visible to both foot and car traffic
• Be sure to have an easy-to-locate address
• Adequate parking is also key
• Make sure you have good signs to attract attention
• Pick a neighborhood with businesses that will attract your desired clientele
Kate says she started her business with just $900 to her name and was "in the black" within six weeks and a month later could support herself completely with her new business.
Some of the key elements of Kate's bootstrap startup? She used her $900 to:
• Pay one month's rent and security deposit on her store location
• Pay a deposit for her utilities
• Buy racks, tags, sales books and receipts for her store
• Pay for promotion including postcards, fliers and ads in two local newspapers
Kate kept her budget low by using:
• Grocery bags for merchandise and scraps of paper for price tags
• A door on 2X4's for a sales counter
• A stool and some shelves borrowed from her dad
• Pieces of furniture from her apartment as display props
For more of Kate's thoughts for a bootstrap thrift shop startup, be sure to check out her posts at Too Good to Be Threw.com.
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