Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl S4 Ep38 TONI BRANSON of STYLE IS FREEDOM: on how and why Toni and Alex Branson opened a thrift store in Brooklyn during the pandemic as a pivot for both of their businesses.
S4 Ep38 TONI BRANSON of STYLE IS FREEDOM: on how and why Toni and Alex Branson opened a thrift store in Brooklyn during the pandemic as a pivot for both of their businesses.
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Pre-Loved Podcast: Toni Branson of Style is Freedom
Okay, let’s talk about today’s guest because this is a really unique story. Something very 2020 for sure. So today I’m speaking with Toni Branson. Toni is a streetwear fashion designer who is skilled with embroidery, and has been working in the fashion space at their brand Style is Freedom for about a decade. But in June 2020, Toni and her wife Alex Branson opened a thrift store in Brooklyn as a business pivot due to COVID.
That’s because Alex had just realized her dream of opening a musical education studio for babies and toddlers in Brooklyn, which is called Lavender Blues. Like, just realized this dream. They raised $10k for the down payment on the studio in January, and things started off great in February, but then as you know on March 13th, Alex and the rest of the world had to close up due to COVID. With fears of losing the studio she dreamed of and worked for, Alex and Toni pivoted to opening the thrift store.
This is a really cool story of two entrepreneurs working in the second-hand space to make both their dreams happen. I think you’re gonna love it. Thanks for listening, let’s dive right in!
All the Episode Links:
- @styleisfreedom
- @sifembroidery
- @lavenderbluesmusic
- Toni’s insta @tomboi301
- Ricoma embroidery - the machine Toni uses
- Dec. 6, 2020 - free shopping and coat drive
- L Train Vintage
- Beacon’s Closet
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Pre-Loved Podcast is created by Emily Stochl. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and the Brume & Daisy blog.