Inspiring Conversations with Patricia Gillmore of GGirls Closet LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Gillmore.

Hi Patricia , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Patricia Gillmore is the founder and owner of GGirls Closet, a community-driven resale boutique based in Aurora, Colorado. Since 2013, she has pioneered the state’s first for-profit boutique of its kind, operating through a hybrid online and brick-and-mortar model that reinvests directly into local communities. Through strategic partnerships with Title I schools, nonprofits, and small businesses, GGirls Closet returns 40% of consignment proceeds to support educational initiatives, community programs, and small business growth. Under Patricia’s leadership, GGirls Closet has become a recognized force in sustainable fashion and social enterprise. She collaborates with Aurora Public Schools to educate students on sustainable shopping and conscious consumption, helping cultivate environmentally aware future consumers. Her work has earned GGirls Closet recognition as Mile High’s 3rd Best Women’s Store and features in 303 Magazine. Beyond retail, Patricia continues to strengthen community ties through clothing drives, local events, and food distribution efforts—demonstrating a business model where profitability and purpose go hand in hand.

GGirls Closet was founded in Aurora, Colorado, with a mission to transform how communities think about fashion, sustainability, and giving back. From its inception, the boutique set out to merge style with purpose, creating a hybrid model that partners with Title I schools, nonprofits, and small businesses to make resale a force for good. Through community clothing drives, the organization recycles only donated apparel, curating an extensive inventory both online and in-store.

At the heart of its model, GGirls Closet returns 40% of all proceeds to its partners—funding student councils and school events, supporting nonprofit classes and essential programs, and helping small businesses grow through hosted retail collaborations. This reinvestment strategy has turned the boutique into a cornerstone of community support and a leading example of how a for-profit enterprise can drive measurable social impact.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest challenge was earning trust — from customers, schools, nonprofits, and partners. I overcame it by showing up consistently, delivering on my promises, and keeping my mission at the center of every decision. Transparency and community relationships became the backbone of our growth.

I tried to do everything myself, and that experience taught me the importance of delegation, boundaries, and building a team; GGirls Closet grew the moment I allowed others to grow with me, and learning to delegate and balance control became a critical lesson — we can’t do it all, but we can accomplish so much more when we stop trying to do everything alone.

There’s never a “perfect” time — but there is a moment when the purpose becomes louder than the fear. For me, that moment came when I realized the community needed affordable clothing, sustainable options, and a safe space to shop and connect. I knew I had to answer that needed and I learned a lot from the first store, prior to opening the store in Aurora.

As you know, we’re big fans of GGirls Closet LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Mission
GGirls Closet is a unique hybrid boutique based in Aurora, Colorado, with a powerful social mission. We partner with Title I schools, nonprofits, and small businesses by offering consignment accounts that turn resale into a funding opportunity. Through local clothing drives, they recycle only community-donated clothing, selling it through their extensive inventory both online and in-store.

There is a return 40% of the proceeds to their partners:

• Schools receive checks to support student councils and school events.

• Nonprofits gain funding for classes and essential programs.

• Small businesses host events in the retail space and receive a portion of the sales to support their missions.

This innovative model has made GGirls Closet a staple in the community and a standout example of a for-profit business with a strong commitment to social impact.

The organization collaborates with Aurora Public Schools (APS) to offer educational programs for “super seniors,” teaching sustainable shopping habits and the importance of reducing overconsumption. Semester after semester, these programs help shape a new generation of conscious consumers while reducing landfill waste.

As a pioneering concept in Colorado, GGirls Closet is poised to expand into new markets. More than a store, it represents a movement toward sustainable fashion, community empowerment, and creative funding solutions.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
How You Can Support GGirls Closet
There are so many meaningful ways to support our mission of keeping fashion local, sustainable, and community‑focused:

1. Shop From Our Amazon Wish List
Your purchases help us maintain daily operations and support local programs — including tutoring supplies for the Mercy Housing kids we work with every Monday. These items directly fuel our community impact.

2. Donate Clothing Locally
Colorado residents can drop off gently used clothing anytime Wednesday–Saturday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM at our Aurora boutique. Your donations help us keep clothing in circulation and accessible to families who need it.

3. Give Through Our Website
Visit www.ggirlscloset.net to make a small monthly donation or a one‑time contribution. Every dollar helps us expand our programs and continue serving Title I schools, nonprofits, and families.

4. Support Us on Social Media
Follow, share, and engage with our posts. Your support helps us reach more people and highlight the community work we do every week.

5. Re‑Invest Through Our Honeycomb Campaign
Community members can explore ways to reinvest in GGirls Closet through our Honeycomb campaign — helping us grow, scale, and reach more families.

6. Book a Free Sip‑N‑Shop Event
We offer our space for free to groups of 10 or more women. Enjoy a few hours of shopping, sipping, and connecting — and at the end of the event, 20% of sales go directly to your mission, whether it’s a school, church, nonprofit, or small business.
It’s a fun way to gather while giving back.

7. Partner With Us
We’re always looking for new nonprofit partners and Title I schools to open clothing accounts with. We also host teacher nights that kick back funding to educators and classrooms.

8. Volunteer Your Time
Women can volunteer for a few hours and receive clothing in return for their service. It’s a beautiful way to give and receive while supporting the community.

9. Leave a Review
Reviews help us grow, reach new customers, and strengthen our online presence. A few kind words go a long way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ggirlscloset.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ggirlscloset/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggirlsclosetllc/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-gillmore-b5323975

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Zoe WIlliams