4 minute read
Insta Secondhand Clothing Seller | Landscaper
SELLING SLOW FASHION
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THRIFTING? I’ve always loved thrifting and clothing! Finding gems at secondhand shops for such a bargain is a special feeling; it truly helped me develop and express my personal style in an affordable way.
DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY When you’re self-employed it’s important to create a routine and stick to it. Firstly, I keep my space organised – with lots of stock in such a make-shift space, things can get lost. I then answer any messages I get on Insta about item availability or measurements. I prepare my hair and make-up for the shoot; take photos of the clothing items sourced. I edit and save drafts of the photos on Insta. I also make time to clean, fix and package items. At the end of the day, I post extras on secondhand selling websites such as Yaga, to expand my business.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? The creativity: I adore styling and giving new life to old clothes! And the feedback from customers – it’s a lovely feeling getting messages about how happy they are with their purchases. I love slow fashion; I haven’t participated in fast fashion for years now and I have to say it feels good.
WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Some customers can be very frustrating to deal with. Ghosting, rude comments and creepy messages all accompany owning an Instagram store!
WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Creating something from scratch. At the beginning I was doing college online as well as running my store and I found it difficult to put my heart into both and still be successful.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? I’ve only been doing this a short while, so it’s hard to pinpoint one highlight. I would say when I started making enough money doing this (what I love) to be able to do it full time.
EXPERIENCE VS FORMAL TRAINING? Many different types of formal training could be useful – business, design – but nothing helps as much as the things you learn along the way.
IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED? You have to be able to put yourself out there and communicate well with others. CLEO LANGLEY INSTA SECONDHAND CLOTHING SELLER
OWNER @PRELOVED_THRIFT_
Engaging with different personalities all day every day can be tricky. You must be kind, understanding and patient.
ADVICE FOR NEWCOMERS? Be patient and don’t give up. It’s an ever-growing environment with new thrift stores popping up every day, so you must try to stand out and be different!
DESIGNING WITH NATURE
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE LANDSCAPING? I’ve had an affinity with and appreciation of nature from a young age. That and the creative aspect involved in design work is what drew me to the profession. In a way, choosing landscaping created a balance between working with nature, while still having all the cultural and social benefits offered by city living. Though, that aspect means less to me these days.
WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I did a National Diploma in Horticulture at Cape Tech and a Bachelor of Science, majoring in botany and environmental science, at UCT.
DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY Meeting with the staff in the morning; ensuring that the correct tools and materials are loaded for a particular project. I spend a few hours on site(s) to make sure that everyone knows their tasks for the day. The rest of the day is taken up with sourcing materials, either physically or via email, design work, and meetings regarding upcoming projects. I return to site later in the day to review productivity and make any adjustments needed.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? The potential to design with plants. Using nature’s own colours, textures, shapes, fragrances and seasonal variations is inspiring. I’m still like a child in a sweet shop every time I visit a nursery. The creative aspect of design is also rewarding, when translated from theory to practical installation.
WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING A LANDSCAPER? Standing in dog poo! Seriously though, it’s demanding at times, but I think that relates more to the responsibilities that come with owning a business, rather than the profession itself. ANY HURDLES YOU’VE HAD TO OVERCOME? To be assertive when the occasion demands – both with staff and clients – although I always do my best to keep a client happy within the allocated budget. The management aspect is a role I didn’t foresee.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? Working for some top clients over the years, where the design concept has dictated the budget, rather than the norm of designing within a budget. A landscaper’s dream situation. I’ve had some memorable experiences: working on two game farms, and spending 18 months working in the Seychelles.
IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED? People who like to be outdoors! People skills are important, for managing staff and maintaining good communication with clients. The ability to think practically is MARK KRETZMANN LANDSCAPER
OWNER AT LIVINGSCAPES
also important, both on the design and installation level.
IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? There are a number of self-taught landscapers who have been very successful. A Diploma in Horticulture, however, gives a good grounding.
FUTURE GOALS? To design full time and outsource the installation aspect. As far as installations go, I’d like to shift the focus more to natural restoration and rehabilitation work.
