Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelsi Biondo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kelsi, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Navigating the professional world as a young woman in the vintage reselling industry has been both challenging and rewarding. You may have been at a vintage market and came across a booth selling clothing; actually, you may have heard it before you saw it. The music blasting, the business owner tucked in a corner and if you’re not a man who looks like you can name at least 6 Nirvana songs – he’s probably not glancing up from his phone. Vintage reselling has become mostly a man’s game, so it’s easy to feel like you’re not included in the boys’ club. Early in my career, I found myself overlooked by customers and business partners who assumed my male colleagues were in charge. I recall a particular incident where a customer, despite my clear role, directed all questions to a less experienced male employee. To ensure you’re taken seriously, you must be educated, confident, and outspoken to succeed.
While this is an ongoing lesson for myself, I also try to pass that lesson down to my colleagues and staff. It’s not easy but I have always been known as someone who isn’t afraid to speak their mind.. loudly. Success is defined differently by everyone, but success to me doesn’t only reflect in sales; it reflects in fostering a positive and comfortable working environment where everyone feels heard, appreciated, and happy at work. This experience has not only strengthened my confidence but also highlighted the importance of resilience in breaking through gender biases in the workplace.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Kelsi Biondo, and I’ve been working with Branded since August 2020. Shortly after becoming their first employee, we successfully opened our textile recycling facility in December of that year. I still remember getting in our very first truckload of clothing in that empty warehouse, tearing through trash bags of clothing like it was our job (it was) and making a nearly 15 foot pile of discarded clothing. Vintage clothing is hard to come by, but the thrill of possibility kept us motivated. Over time, we organized the stock and found a broker for the non-vintage items we couldn’t use. This happened just in time, as our pile had grown to 20 feet and was nearing the electrical boxes on the wall—a potential fire hazard we managed to avoid.
In 2022, when we decided to open our Kent location, it was an easy choice for me to move here and handle operations. Managing three stores, including two in another state, has been challenging, but I’ve finally managed to get the hang of it (I think—almost two years later). While I no longer have the excitement of searching for vintage clothing, the challenges of running the Kent location have kept me more than busy. I am extremely passionate about sustainability, and being able to actively ‘walk the walk’ has been very rewarding. Whether I’m debating with a customer on Depop or training new staff, I always find joy in spreading education about ethical consumerism and ‘turning clothing waste into sustainable fashion’ ( The three biggest pieces of advice I could give to anyone starting a business, especially in vintage reselling, are: delegate, understand that there’s no such thing as common sense, and have product knowledge. Starting as Branded’s only employee, I had to do everything myself, making it challenging to delegate tasks once I had staff. Accepting that my way isn’t the only way and trusting the people I handpicked was a huge step for me. Workplace burnout is often overlooked, and I was unprepared for its impact until I learned to delegate and accept my staff’s help. Understanding that there’s no such thing as common sense goes hand in hand with delegating tasks. Most mistakes by employees often stem from my not fully explaining what I expected or wanted done. Common sense is a subjective term; meaning something different to each person. Explaining yourself thoroughly and having patience with others and yourself is crucial. This last part should go without saying (but remember there’s no such thing as common sense) but any field you’re planning on entering, it is so important that you’re knowledgeable about what you’re selling. Knowing what you do, how you do it, and why you do it should be answered before starting any venture, whether it’s business or personal. I think the most impactful things my parents did were to instill a strong work ethic in me and allow me to fail. They taught me the value of hard work through their actions and encouraged me to always stand up for what’s right and what I believe in (which is usually right, let’s be real). As a stubborn and headstrong girl, I often insisted on doing things my way, even when they were guiding me correctly. Letting me fail not only taught me resilience but also motivated me to try again, ten times harder, knowing I had their support. My parents supported my decision not to go to college, and without the work ethic they instilled in me, I truly wouldn’t be where I am today. While I am grateful to Lance and Brendan for giving me the opportunity to manage their stores, I will never deny that I have worked incredibly hard to get where I am (humbly, of course). Contact Info: the first image was taken by Conor Campbell @conor_campbell_tog
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Image Credits
all the other images were taken by in house staff
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
