#NIFTY THRIFTY FULL#

Online sales allow Nifty Thrifty to reach buyers all over the United States. 'It is easier and faster for us to reach collectors through online sales than to wait for the certain person to come into the store. 'We receive quite a few items that can't be put on the sales floor due to limited locking display areas and we have a better audience through eBay,' explained Marks. After researching the safety of online sales, Marks felt confident to move forward with it. The customer pays all the fees and insurance, and the store can ask a much higher price on the items. Nifty Thrifty sells high value books, jewelry and collectibles that ship well on eBay.

#NIFTY THRIFTY FULL#

'We started selling full tilt in November 2015 and have sold 33 items to date totaling more than $2,500,' she added. It will happen-don’t give up.Nifty Thrifty is increasing it's sales using eBay! 'Even though we talked about selling on eBay for some time, it took courage to take the plunge.' said Nifty Thrifty Store Manager Michelle Marks. She added, “Set your mind on what you want. She shared advice for youth and budding entrepreneurs: “Live your dreams-don’t give up on it. When asked about what motivates her to live the dream every day, she said, “Getting up and serving these people I love opening up my doors-I like being there for them.” She is a social butterfly and an all-around “people person” who enjoys meeting new people.įerguson aspires to serve as a positive role model for her family. She added, “I used to get mad when hardly would come into the store, but I said you know what, today wasn’t a good day, tomorrow may not be one, but I will have a good day.” Although there can be difficult aspects of business, she tends to focus on the positive. Ferguson shared her ideology: “Believing in yourself that you’re gonna do it and just be that happy person like everything is gonna go right. She utilized scarce funds to repair the broken window.Įvery entrepreneur possesses a different mindset to be successful. While Ferguson was stationed at George Floyd Square, unfortunately, her business was broken into. My brother had got a table and I helped him.”įerguson added, “I went and got t-shirts made and I stayed out there on 38th and Chicago for 80 days.” Ferguson used her earnings to cover rent for Thrifty Nifty. She explained, “There was nothing I could do, so I was on 38th and Chicago from Worldwide Church. But she sprang into action and started getting involved with George Floyd Square. Like many local businesses, the COVID pandemic, civil unrest, and riots surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd had negatively impacted her business. She was granted an opportunity to move forward with opening the business despite her past.

She didn’t give up on her dream of opening a thrift store and went to the MN Supreme Court to advocate for herself and appeal her record. Undeterred, Ferguson focused on bringing the quaint consignment shop to fruition. I prayed to God because my life has been changed,” Ferguson said. She explained, “The bad thing is that I had a background in 2005, so they denied me. Ferguson was denied a loan to start her business. Although she was ecstatic, she mentioned how she experienced a roadblock from her past. “When I got my key I jumped for joy,” Ferguson recalled. In October 2017, she officially opened her store. I mapped it out, and what makes me different is that I do layaway at my thrift store,” Ferguson said.įortunately, Ferguson received a loan from NDC for her enterprise.

When Ferguson began her new enterprise, the Neighborhood Development Center assisted her with developing a business plan. “I was doing yard sales in front of my house,” she recalled.

Her business was well received by the community. Before she worked hard to launch her shop, Ferguson would host a plethora of successful rummage sales. She established the popular business in 2017.įerguson is originally from Birmingham, Alabama and grew up in South Minneapolis. The upbeat and optimistic Mary Ferguson is the proud owner of the Thrifty Nifty consignment shop located along University Avenue in St. Courtesy of Thrifty Nifty Mary Ferguson established Thrifty Nifty in 2017.īlack-owned consignment shop is a wellspring of positivity

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