Conversations with Hayley Sanchez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hayley Sanchez.

Hi Hayley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Second Avenue… All my life since I was a kid, my mom always took us thrift shopping and called it “la secon or la Segunda” meaning second-hand store in Spanish. We didn’t have much growing up, so this was like going on a shopping spree for us. So second avenue at the time was “haylzxcloset,” and it all started a little before quarantine hit. It all started with me wanting to get rid of old clothes and get something “new”. I wanted to make it fun and dress up the pieces of clothes I was selling on Instagram. took a stylish photo and posted it. It went so good it all sold, and I had my friends telling me, “Hey Hayley, are you going to post More stuff tomorrow?” I had said yea… I can! in my head, I had said why not I have nothing else to do since we were on lockdown and I did it every day since. It started to get a little bit more serious day by day that I wanted to give myself a name and that’s where the second avenue came, all thanks to my mom giving me the inspiration since I was a kid saying “la secon”. Everything was going so great by the time we were able to go back to work and not on lockdown anymore. I was fortunate enough I didn’t have to return full time, and I was able to open up my own shop located in the heart of Phoenix! Second avenue is still growing with many ideas, but it all started with some Instagram posts, and with consistency, it brought me here today.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I can say it was 50/50! I just shot my shot, not knowing what’s going to happen next, but I know I would hit a bump in the road and when I do, it’s all trial and error, but I’ll learn, pick myself up and keep it moving. When you want something to work so bad, you will do everything and anything for it to work. When you work for yourself, there’s never clocking out. You’re always clocked in 25/8. But the one quote I came across one day and I live by it ever since. “When I invest in my business, I never know if I’m going to win or lose. I just know I’m not scared to lose and I’m built to win.”

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I mainly sell vintage clothing for women, baby and men (men occasionally, but I still do it) mainly for everyone! I specialize in customs, so not everything that I thrift ever stays the same I will always re-work that item to something else, bringing that piece of clothing back to life! Also, bringing weekly drops to my second avenue family at a certain time, I’ll usually post it on my story to keep everyone updated on when it will go live on my website! I’m known for not only vintage clothing for women and men but for baby as well. A lot of my customers always buy for their kids I don’t see a lot of people out here do that or I’m aware of.

Lastly, I can say I’m most proud of is that I made something of myself that I love to do in the free time that I had, and I didn’t take it for granted. Free time is expensive not everyone has it. I’ve completed a year and a half with second avenue, and there’s no stopping now. This is only the beginning for second avenue I’m currently bringing on my own brand. This brand of mine is only focused on good quality basics that you need and wear on an everyday basis that will last you a lifetime for women, baby and men. I always go to the store and I can never find the one basic shirt that I want. I’m sure many people do this, but I want to be your GO-TO store here in the valley for all your basic clothing needs. No need to order online you can grab and go here at second avenue for great quality basics.

What are your plans for the future?
The second ave became second avenue, and with that, I’m bringing on my own brand of good quality basics for everyone and also bringing on my activewear line as well. No crazy colors, just your everyday color palette black, brown, beige, grey, white, nude. Everyday Colors you can wear to the gym or just as a casual outfit for multi-wear!

Contact Info:

• Email: Secondave.20@gmail.com
• Website: www.thesecondave.com
• Instagram: @shopsecondavenue