Today we’d like to introduce you to Brea Lange.
Hi Brea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Brea Lange and I am the owner of a new business in Cincinnati called Recycled Westside. My journey to this adventure has been an unusual one. While seemingly unconnected on the surface, my work experiences – from retail to banking to education – held a hidden thread. Each role was a puzzle piece, equipping me with valuable skills. Sales, merchandising, budgeting, event planning, marketing, systemizing, customer service management, tech skills, professional development – all crucial tools for an aspiring entrepreneur. The “aha” moment struck four years ago. I could pull these seemingly disparate experiences into a meaningful tapestry – my own business! Every job had gifted me a skill, a piece of the puzzle to finally build my dream.
With this “toolbox” in hand, I embarked on a whirlwind journey, single-handedly opening my upscale resale store in just ten weeks!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life rarely unfolds the way you imagined. I started out with a clear vision: becoming a teacher. With only two semesters until I graduated with my Masters, life threw a curveball. I met my amazing husband, a super dedicated deputy sheriff. Because of his very demanding schedule, I decided to put my studies temporarily on hold – just until he was able to be on first shift. What happened? Life! First shift took sixteen years. Time flew by, filled with family, different jobs, and a persistent itch – the yearning for something truly my own.
We’ve been impressed with Recycled Westside 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 an upscale, resale clothing boutique and specialty gift items from 25 local vendors. Our commitment is to focus on being multi-generational, spanning from teen through retiree. We wanted a one-stop shop for customers; somewhere, my high school and college nieces, my sister, myself, and my mom could all shop together. In fact, my mom runs the business on Fridays and is our secret weapon – that lady could sell ice to an Eskimo. We also realize consignment may not be for everyone; since we are surrounded with exceptional talent, we feature 25 local artisans who sell specialty gift items. We are proud to offer a brick-and-mortar location to feature it!
But what I’m most proud of is that, during this time, I’ve been reminded of something we all know here on the Westside of Cincinnati. This community always steps up to take care of its own. I’ve had other local business owners share their knowledge of where to get a storefront sign, who their accountant is, and what cash register and point-of-sale systems they use. I’ve had fellow parents who do bookkeeping show me how to pay my monthly sales taxes. I’ve had friends donate their time to help me tag items, clean floors, greet customers, and paint. My family has come in to help me make paper dresses for mannequins, have vendor fairs, and even go to events to spread the word. We even have a small Spirit Shop our neighboring school district. Everyone has contributed in their own way, cheering us along and offering support. It’s exciting, it’s very new, and it’s scary – and that is what makes it so awesome.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Growing up, it was a priority for my parents got the best possible education. This meant we had to live very frugally. I flipped chairs in our elementary cafeteria during lunches and cleaned classrooms after school in high school to help pay our tuition. I started babysitting at age 10 and had my first job at 15. By 16, I was an assistant manager. All of this was done to help do my share and ease our financial burden. I was proud to do it and it taught me a great deal about sacrifice and adhering to your principles.
Because of this, we always shopped from the clearance racks for our clothes. Then we found consignment. And suddenly, I was able to have a lot more options for what I wanted to wear. I could buy clothes that were affordable and made me feel good. What’s more, I could take in my own items, and recycle (see what I did there?) them into cash for future purchases. I also really loved the thrill of going through those racks and grabbing a great find.
For me, consignment isn’t just about great value but an integral part of my journey to who I am today.
Pricing:
- We offer competitive pricing, selling items 60-70% of the MSRP
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recycledwestside/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recycledwestside/
Image Credits
Julie Doran Photography
