Poshmark’s community is full of inspiring stories and we couldn’t wait to share this one with you. We recently caught up with Shawna, a.k.a. @sfconway, who has turned her closet into a booming business.
A former fashion buyer, Shawna knows style and now she’s honing her entrepreneurial skills with Poshmark. She’s gone from selling her own items to going “treasure hunting” to fill her Poshmark closet with amazing items from Free People, Alice + Olivia and more – and most items are brand new with tags! Success in selling has been life changing as she is now able to stay at home with her darling daughter and earn extra income on Poshmark.
How does she do it? Read on for how to take your selling game to the next level.
How long have you been on Poshmark and what drew you to selling your closet?
I’ve been on Poshmark for almost a year. I was about to go to a consignment store with a ton of clothes (name brand and with tags!) and then donate the rest. I decided to Google any other options for selling for myself – that wasn’t eBay – and found a few. After downloading a couple, Poshmark was the most streamlined and user friendly, and I loved the social aspect of it!
How have you used your retail buying background to become an all-star seller on Poshmark?
I have always had an eye for fashion! I treat selling stuff in my closet the same way I would buying for a store. I stay on top of trends and research price points, but above all, I help style pieces! What’s the point of buying an item if you don’t know how to wear it? Being able to communicate with women on the app is definitely what sets selling on Poshmark apart. I love hearing how a seller wore an item because it gives me styling tips, too!
You sell a lot of bundles in your closet. What’s your secret?
I give AMAZING bundle discounts – In just three months I’ve sold 438 items! My stuff goes quickly! I also have a ton of items listed and a lot of sell full outfits. I love selling complete looks! It’s such a compliment when I get tagged in a listing where a girl is showing off how much she loves her purchase. I try to maintain at least 100 items for sale in my closet. This increases your sales as well as opportunities for bundling. I also give returning customer discounts. You’ve gotta give back to the girls shopping your closet frequently! (Also, be on the look out for a sale! I have something special planned for the readers of this blog post.)
How has selling on Poshmark impacted your life? What has it allowed you to do?
I get to do what I love again! Leaving the fashion industry was a huge decision my husband and I made when I became pregnant. As much as I love working, I wanted to be home with my little one more. Now, I get the best of both worlds and I have the best buying assistant I could ever ask for. She’s a little fashionista – at 16 months she’s already picking out her own outfits!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take their Poshmark closet to the next level?
Interact! I have met so many amazing women on this app that truly want you to succeed. We share each others’ products. If someone is looking for something in my closet but I don’t have their size, I’ll tag them in someone else’s listing who does have it. You’re not losing a sale, you’re gaining a new friend! She’ll remember you and return the favor.
As for power selling, gain a following of women who trust you AND your style. You have to go out there and find your inventory! It takes time, but it pays off. Sample sales are an amazing resource! If you don’t have any near you, consignment stores are a gold mine. I call it treasure hunting. Get to know your sales girls at these stores, they can let you in on new inventory and huge sales. People get rid of a lot of good stuff that’s still brand new! It really is a full time job, but the hard work pays off.
Hello ,
All wonderful stories, and they have inspired me to move toward my goals. I love reading and learning from the amazing women on Poshmark. Please keep sharing these wonderful stories. I learn so much.😆 thank you for sharing!!
Warm Regards,
Tina Vaughns
Loved it. Great tips and inspiring. I am new to this exciting world and putting together my closet to showcase soon….plz stay tuned and lets all have some fun 🙂
I loved reading all of the testimonials by the many who have started as a new poshmark seller and the experienced ones too. I might be looking into selling myself since I do have a lot of clothing I no longer wear and do need to make some money so I just might give it a try.
What I have liked which is different from Ebay is how socially bonded the sellers are with each other and with their buyers. It does make for a better community in selling and buying from each other and for each other by sharing. I like that. 😊. Thanks. 🌺
I am new and want to sell after learning more.
After only a week of only buying : I have 122 followers.
I wanted to delete my acct and create one w/a catchy name. Then I would follow all my followers. I wonder what you suggest. I will have a very full closet to sell and want to make it remarkable and memorable. While appealing to all. How can I do it ?
Hi Deb, For specific help with your account, please reach out to support@poshmark.com and someone will gladly help you.
that’s awesome! what’s the main difference between tradesy and postmark? I’m hesitant to list on postmark bc i can’t be tied to my pc and phone all the time to chit chat.any suggestions? thank you and congratulations on your success!
Great story, and a great inspiration! I’ve only been a Posher since November, but I’ve found such great people who are willing to help me out. I’m a full time Grandma, my daughter and grandson live with us, and I run a dog grooming business from home. It can be a little overwhelming, but I’m hoping to make more sales, take better cover shots, and hunt down some great deals! Thank you for the inspiration!!
Hi- you say that you love the social aspect of Poshmark and that you have met some amazing people through the app…. However, I am struggling with the fact that you can’t communicate directly or anyway with postmark members…. Is there something I am not aware of?
Thanks!!
High5Finds
You can communicate with other members in the app by tagging them. For instance to send me a message you would type your message on any listing and the type @sfconway this then send me a notification along with the message. I hope this helped!
Newly single mom here, also new to Poshmark.
I love it here. It’s not just a retail site, it’s a community.
Thanks for your inspiring story!
Welcome! I hope you’re clearing your closet and meeting new people! You must be busy! I have found that instead of using my down time to play games or facebook on my phone I use it sharing listings and posting new items in my closet. Being a mom we have such little spare time, why not make some money with the time we do have! Great hearing from you! Xoxo
That’s great! Good tips! -nasouzalo
Inspiring! I too am a SAHM who makes extra income selling on Poshmark, and I love it!
http://www.poshmark.com/closet/rubysbeauty
We’re proof that woman can have it all and do it all! Keep up the amazing work yourself! Xoxo
Thank You so much for sharing your story… I really need input like your yours!
What an incredible story!
Thanks for sharing your story, i also have a little one at home, i found your story quite inspiring 🙂
Kind Regards – Sable
Thank you so much! I find all SAHMs truly inspiring! You go girl!
Love this story — girl power!
This is so inspiring! Keep up the great work!
Thanks Maria!
This is so helpful… I’m just starting out but I feel like I have a lot of great designer pieces, so posts that show different ideas (styling a whole outfit, for one thing) to show them off are so nice to see!
If you ever need help, pointers or a new Poshmark friend I’m here! It sounds like you’re in the right track to success!
Hey! Loved your article! I’ve been a Posher since March 2013! If you read my Meet your Posher, you’ll see how and why I got into it! I started off great but sales haven’t been good lately. I share others closets and they share mine, but do you have other pointers/tips? Maybe give me a few closets of people that I really need to know. I’m very loyal and will always share and promote others closets. I help support parties. I love Poshmark. I’d love to take it to the next level. I’d love to attend Poshfest but I’m scared because I know NO one. So, if you get a few minutes, stop in my closet (I’d stop in yours but I don’t have your closet name) Thanks! Happy Poshing!!!
Hi Katepearl86, You should definitely consider going to PoshFest! There will be a lot of Poshers there who might not know each other – and likely there will be someone there you know as well. You can always see who is going by searching PoshFest as a brand within the app and make friends in advance. Would love to see you there!
I love it! So many great tips!
-Kat
http://www.katwalksf.com/
You’re an inspiration too lady! 💜
Loved your story and really got me more motivated to start snapping photos and working on my goal of 100 items for my Great Grand Opening Sale, coming soon! Thanks for sharing your story!