Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Gillmore.
Hi Patricia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
GGirls Closet started as a small boutique off-Broadway in Englewood, Colorado, back in 2013, as a mother-daughter start-up from two Colorado natives. I am originally from Loveland, Colorado, where I have always had a nitch for thrifting, selling, and recycling gently used goods as a hobby. I have always looked at fashion as a way to say complicated things. We sold the brick-mortar back in 2015. Then, I went back to school to finish my degree and revamp the business to an e-commerce warehouse style. That is where I learned about selling gently used goods, not just all over the world but also bringing the concept of the in-home appointment consignment to Colorado. I began to reshape what I always wanted to do, which is to give back to the local community. For the past few years, we have teamed up with many non-profits around the Denver/Aurora area to provide food baskets, clothes, and financial literacy courses. Colorado ranks low on being a digital learning state. Therefore, we have been unfolding classes, written from the ground up, to fit the needs of each community and teaching the next generation up-to-date financial, budgeting, banking, and business skills that are not generally taught in public school courses. I am proud to be a small business powered by women from all walks of life, selling gently used, quality clothing and providing for our client’s needs while maintaining the goal of becoming a community leader here in Colorado.
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?
Owning a business is never easy; I would say for the first three years. However, when you find something you love to do, you don’t mind the challenges that come with that. Being in the resale industry is truly an industry that is becoming more and more competitive, and innovation is something that is needed. I struggled when I took some downtime, for I didn’t know where to go and restart since I no longer had the storefront. Then, I got hooked on storage units and selling goods online through eBay and other platforms. When COVID emerged, I had to get creative, so we opened up in-home appointment services. After test-piloting that concept, we are now strictly servicing in-home appointments for our clients. Struggles are hurdles, and what do you do when you are approaching a hurdle? You clear it, or you don’t, but you get right back up and keep going!
We’ve been impressed with GGirls Closet LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a Colorado-based, in-home consignment boutique that services homes from the Wyoming border to Colorado Springs. As an e-commerce boutique, we can take all seasons of clothing, including Men, Women, and Children’s clothing. Anytime consumers shop at GGirls Closet, they give back to the community. The proceeds help fund events and programs ranging from food baskets to clothing donations. The proceeds also fund youth and young adult economic and financial literacy courses that include people from all walks of life.
What’s next?
We are launching a crowd-funding project for the New Year. This project will show and transform a concept that Colorado does not have. We are going to raise funds to be the first e-commerce boutique business school ever launched. This project includes having a warehouse, large enough for growth and expansion to include public shopping and pop events for local artists. Also, have a mobile youth school next door, where the youth and young adults can receive hands-on education from the GGirls team. The mobile school will also provide transportation to and from the courses in low-income areas to eliminate transportation issues. The GGirls team will provide economic mentorship through workshops for business. Currently, live on our website, we will be hosting this project all next year in 2023, intending to break ground with the building in 2024. Colorado has never had or seen this concept. We are a leader in pioneering new concepts in our state, and we are excited and nervous to tackle this high goal, but the next generation and reducing the carbon footprint with re-sale is worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ggirlscloset.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ggirlscloset/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggirlsclosetllc/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/ggirlscloset/_created/
Image Credits
Kassi Gurule, Caleb Nelson, Bonnie Gillmore
