When I was a kid (90s) I would often go to the local Goodwill when I needed a new coat, some work pants, some things to take a part and repurpose, a new book to read, etc. It was great. I could go in with $10 and leave quite satisfied. I recently went into a Goodwill and I was shocked. I don't think there was anything in there less than $10. And nowhere near the quantity of "stuff" there used to be. It's like they were trying to be a big box store.
I want to help people get what they need. I have zero interest in "unlimited growth" or any of that. If I make enough money to pay the bills and maybe a little bit to throw into savings that's plenty. I want people to have access to what they need at reasonable prices. I want people to have an option for getting rid of old things that they can feel good about and that will do some good.
Simple and consistent pricing. Just some examples: a coat for $5, a pair of pants for $4, a long sleeve shirt for $3, a t-shirt for $2, socks, hats, gloves, etc. for $1. Books are a quarter unless you're a kid, then they're free (I read a lot as a kid and it was formative). Other things are reasonable prices. For example if someone donates a clothes dryer I would plug it in, make sure it works, and sell if for $20 or something. Or a few bucks for a donated set of dinner ware so someone can have a nice family meal. Maybe I could even get setup with some local grocers or something for baked goods or whatever that were going to be tossed to be distributed (free) through the shop too? I feel like there are good people out there that want to help but don't have a vehicle to do so. This would be that vehicle. The money would be just to keep the place self-sufficient and accessible.
Yes, it would be mostly the "donate it and sell it" model but with the goal of "keep the place afloat on it's own sales and actually help people" and not "line my greedy corporate pockets while pretending to be a good guy."
I have a day job that I can't afford to quit at the moment and I have a couple grand in savings to invest into this. I figure I can rent a small space for a few months and throw together some shelves and get a lockbox and run it after hours from my day job until it starts to help sustain itself. But I don't know anything else about getting a business up and running or if this is even a viable approach.
Any advice folks have would be really helpful and appreciated. I'm headed to bed now, but I'll review this tomorrow after work. Thanks in advance, fellow humans.
Oh I'm in the northeastern US if that matters.
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