It’s funny, looking back and remembering the confusion I experienced when my dad told my 15-year-old self that I should open my own shop one day. At the time, I had no idea why he thought that. Then again, looking back, I had no problem working with batches of hand-me-downs from my three older sisters and revitalizing them into my own style. I loved hanging out in my grandmother’s plush carpeted closet, and visiting the consignment shop near my house. Finding my own way to put a spin on my school uniform was a requisite. And later, being sought out to dress college classmates for dates and job interviews is another memory. But it wasn’t until I was working in a second-hand boutique the year after I graduated from college that I even registered the possibility of turning my skill and interest into a career. It was a high end consignment boutique in my hometown of Bethesda, Maryland, called Designer Resale, and the owner must have really seen something in me, because she entrusted me with every facet of the business, despite my lack of experience working retail. I was opening and closing the shop, building customer relationships, selecting and merchandising products, setting prices–I was the de facto owner, essentially. And not only did I love it, I thrived at it. It felt so natural and empowering.
Coming from a family of educators, it felt like the next step was to earn a degree in my future career. So, I moved to Philly to get a Masters in Fashion Apparel Science from Philly U. To pay my rent, I worked as a personal stylist for J.Crew in Center City and was quite successful. While I detested the expectation to hit certain quotas–creating an inorganic seller to customer experience–and I didn’t like the huge amounts of waste generated from the whole operation, the work was lucrative and steady, and I didn’t have a vision beyond getting my masters. So, I stayed for 7 years. I would have stayed longer had the universe not had other plans for me, for the better. I had my masters degree, I had married my Norristown native, and I had just had our first child when J.Crew corporate decided to restructure and it was time for me to move on. I didn’t have a clear plan, but had proven many times over that I was good at connecting with people, styling, and selling. So, I started my own LLC and began personal styling independently. But like working at J.Crew, it wasn't fulfilling me. I wanted to get back to that feeling I had working at Designer Resale. And this is when the magic really started happening.
The following year, my very realist-of-a-husband pointed out a commercial space for rent in our town, Media, PA, and recommended I check it out. I was very surprised that he, of all people, was suggesting this to me. I hadn’t made any indications of a brick and mortar business plan, nor did I have any in mind. "You don't have to make any decisions, just go and look at the space," he said. So, I did. Immediately upon entering the space I viscerally remembered the invigorating feeling of working in Designer Resale all of those years ago. And that gut reaction told me this was exactly it–I was going to open my own consignment shop. I put in my offer, my offer was accepted, and I opened Magic Threads in April of 2018. The two things I hear the most about my shop is how much people enjoy interacting with me and how inspiring the selection is. While this business is intended to be profitable, I care more about creating a space and experience to which people want to come back. With this, the profit follows. Eight years later I still hold true to the belief that even window shopping is valuable customer interaction. That it’s not where you buy, it’s what you buy that is inspiring–whether it be from the church flea market or from Louis Vuitton. That it’s important to assist customers without expectation; I respect the privacy of the shopper with earbuds in, while I enthusiastically interact with the customer who wants to talk books. I get to play with clothes, listen to good music, and talk to people. I am incredibly grateful to be doing what I love. Thank you for being here and making it possible.
1987
I grew up with 3 older sisters, a stylish mom, and a fashion forward grandmother. The supply of hand-me-downs was bomb.
1992-1996
There was a consignment shop below my mom’s work. I always thought the owner Tiina Hayden looked so fancy, and she always let me play hide and seek in the clothing racks.
1996-2005
I attended a school with a uniform. The work-around was athletes could wear professional attire on game days. Fortunately, I was very athletic. Unfortunately, I was sometimes written up for being out of dress-code.
2000
I discovered Mustard Seed, a secondhand shop in my area and was immediately onboard; sell what you no longer use, buy what you want to try, repeat. No waste, low cost, earth conscious.
2009-2010
2009-2010 I worked at Tiina’s consignment shop back in my hometown, did an excellent job, and that’s when the lightbulb turned on that I could make this into a career.
2010-2012
So, I moved into an apartment with my boyfriend, went to Philly U. to get a Master of Science in Fashion Apparel Studies, and worked as a Personal Stylist for J.Crew in Center City (I crushed it, becoming a top seller in my region).
2015-2016
We moved to Media PA, got married, and had our first kiddo (our daughter, Archer).
2016-2017
I founded 365 Ways A Year Styling Services and offered various types of styling sessions and corporate presentations. But seeking out clients felt forced and inauthentic to me.
2018
That’s when my husband noticed a retail space in town and suggested I check it out. If you know my husband, this was very unexpected. Sure enough, when I stepped inside, I remembered how much I had loved working in Tiina’s consignment shop, and Magic Threads was born. Also about to be born was our son, Graeme! He was my first co-worker for 8 months.
2026
It’s been 8.5 years and I am so grateful to do what I love. The customer loyalty is so gratifying and Media as a community has been incredibly supportive. Thank you for being here.