Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Black.
Hi Krystal, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
“Hi, I’m Krystal, a local Santa Cruzian born and raised. Since my teen years I have loved the hunt for unique items. I went to college for Fashion Design and Merchandising and found a passion for the buying side of the industry. After being in corporate retail for years I took the leap over to resale, after learning a lot about the behind the scenes of corporate retail and the fashion industry, the resale world became even more appealing to me. I have managed and owned Re-sale shops in the Santa Cruz Area for over 20 years. After having my 2nd child I found the position here at The Closet Shopper and jumped at the chance to do what I love again and work with Shannon(The original owner of The Closet Shopper), who I had gotten to know through my years in the resale business. After working for Shannon for 7 years, I was presented with the opportunity to purchase the shop from her 2 years ago and here we are!”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a small business owner is never a smooth road. Any problem that arises falls on you to figure it out and find a solution. Balance between work and home life, especially as a mother, is always hard. Finding amazing staff members can definitely be a challenge.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love the resale industry for both its environmental impact and just making fashion fun and affordable. I want my shop to be a place for women to come in and enjoy their experience shopping and feel they can afford to look good and find things they love at whatever price point they can afford. I curate my inventory from local and fair trade artisans. I love supporting my community through sourcing my resale clothing from locals and putting that $ back into my community and featuring local artisans.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Hmm, no really sure. I am a pretty open book. I am a mother of 2 and love dogs. I love to travel, even though I don’t get to do it often. If you have ever spent any length of time in a car with me you have definitely heard me sing, something I did a lot more of in my teen years.
Pricing:
- We offer 30% cash or 45% trade for items we buy
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theclosetshoppersantacruz.com/
- Instagram: theclosetshoppersantacruz
