We love inspiring stories from amazing people across the globe who are doing great things. This week’s feature focuses on Dawn Gonzalez, owner of 925.Style, an online second hand and previously loved clothing boutique. It carries brand name and designer labels for the true fashion and bargain lover.

Who is Dawn Gonzalez?

A lover of fashion and a bargain. Growing up, I was (financially) poor. Rich in family and surrounded by love, but monetarily life was a struggle. I grew up with my grandmothers because my parents were caught up in the wrong things. Financially I was provided for by the government. At an early age, I became very attracted to pretty things. I built an admiration for anything “better” than what I had. Growing up in New York as an inner city kid, appearance becomes a thing and I had to make do with hand-me-downs. At 14, I started working and when I was able to start providing for myself (and eventually my son), I had to learn how to stretch my dollars between bills and essentials. From a young age, I had to hold it down on my own, bills and somehow be cute too. I figured out how to handle my responsibilities and still look good, but of course, on the cheap. Since then, nothing has changed, I still love beautiful things and clothes and I am an expert at finding higher priced luxuries for cheap.

What is 925.Style?

www.925.Style is an online clothing resale boutique. We carry new and previously loved name brand and designer clothing and accessories at up to 85% off retail. All clothing is meticulously inspected and chosen to provide our customer an item where the concern for used is not a factor. We are recycling textiles and customers shopping our site are making environmentally-friendly decisions thereby contributing to a Green society and saving our landfills. However small, we pack a very big punch in our selections. For those sophisticated palates, all items are 100% authentic and condition of each piece is fully disclosed in its description. 925.Style is an active member of The Association of Resale Professionals, NARTS.

What made you leap forward to make the first step to becoming an entrepreneur?

It’s a no brainer, everything happens online. I have been selling clothes online for years on other platforms. However, using other platforms means paying extra fees and most of the time the profit-margins end up not making sense for both myself and my customer. The more I was online, the more I felt like I had to create my own site. The question then became ‘how’?  The process took a long time because I had no background in website building. I started researching and when I had enough of my questions answered and found a web developer I would be sure I could work with, we started building the site. Once I was comfortable with using the platform and working with its functionality, I launched it.

How did you know this is what you wanted to do for sure?

I’ve always had a hustler spirit and a curious nature about myself. So transitioning into having my own website was a natural move.

So after getting set up, what were the setbacks and what did you do to improve?

Launching an e-commerce site has proven its challenges. The online world is huge and http://www.925.Style is a small fish in a big pond. It’s a constant effort to get our name out there and be recognized. As a small start up, I wear many hats and sacrifice a lot of my otherwise free time and energy. When sales are low, I know I have to put in that extra work. Staying motivated is challenging, but when sales are up I know the fruits of my labor are paying off.

Do you have any featured products, sales, promotions, launches – etc.?

We know everyone loves a deal so we offer discounts via our social media pages IG: 925.Style and Facebook: 925.Style Resale Boutique constantly. Discount codes are random and frequent.

Why the name 925.Style and what inspired it?

The average professional works a full-time, nine to five job, hence the name 925.Style. Information is so readily available and consumers are smart. No one wants to spend their disposable cash on clothing but loves to treat herself. 925.Style apparel was inspired by the professional women, like myself, who understands her own style, a good fit and quality. She understands what cut and shape of garment looks good on her and knows a bargain when she sees it. We believe a true fashionista is never at the mercy of trend and knows how to work a classic piece. We put a high emphasis on fit and flair. Our selection of garments are carefully curated to fit that mold.

What sets 925.Style from other boutiques?

Our clothing has the lowest price/brand ratio anywhere.  We are able to do this because we have no middle man charging what other platforms charge sellers.

What is your advice to people having a fear of launching their business?

Think about this: you won’t know if whatever you want to do will work unless you try. And, anything you love doing is really not ‘work.’

Where and how can people find you?

Shop our boutique www.925.Style and stay connected with us on Instagram at 925.Style and Facebook at 925.Style Resale Boutique.