Meet Trailblazer Whitney Cozad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Cozad.

Whitney, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Washington State, and my mom was an avid Garage-Saler and Bargain Shopper. It was something that we always liked to do together, and in tagging along with her, I think that’s where my love for thrifting really began. Growing up, at every family gathering, my uncle would always bring my cousins and I bags of vintage costume jewelry or other fun thrifted odds and ends, and I still have a lot of the pieces he gave me. I suppose it must run in the family! I eventually found a passion for finding my own unique pieces and incorporating them into both my home and wardrobe. I moved to Phoenix, AZ with my husband in 2016 to pursue a career in Nursing. After finishing school and starting my first nursing job, I found myself with a lot more time on my hands. I would somehow always end up in a second-hand store on my days off searching for fun and unique items. A few months back, what started as a hobby, grew into the decision to start an Etsy Shop, “Thrifty Whitney,” to share my finds with others. Since then, I’ve really moved away from purchasing anything new and am learning a lot more about sustainability and the value in buying used. Phoenix is such a melting pot, so there are so many treasures to be found on my shopping trips. My shop is an eclectic mix of vintage clothing, home decor, jewelry, and accessories. Since launching my site, I’ve shipped items around the globe. It’s been a great learning experience and I’ve had so much fun with it!

Has it been a smooth road?
Hats off to anyone starting their own business, because it’s definitely a labor of love, even on a small-scale like my shop. A lot of my challenges have stemmed from staying organized and carving out sufficient time to source, list items, and inventory. I’m definitely still learning, but my advice to anyone just starting out would be to just go for it! The Phoenix area is full of a lot of amazing small businesses, so don’t be afraid to reach out to others with similar business models. I have learned a lot from other women in the online vintage resale community. Use your resources and don’t be afraid to ask people for advice!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
My online Etsy Shop is called “Thrifty Whitney,” and features an eclectic mix of vintage and recycled clothing, jewelry, accessories, and home decor. A lot of my items are desert and southwestern-inspired pieces. When I walk into a second-hand store, my eyes always seem to gravitate towards bright colors and fun patterns. I am always blown away by what people give away, so it’s really fun to see pieces get a second chance at life. I strive to source beautiful and original items while keeping prices affordable. I love how thrifting and vintage style has grown recently, and I think people (including myself) are realizing the economic and environmental benefits of purchasing a recycled or repurposed item.

Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
Instagram has been my greatest resource in connecting with the online resale community and other vintage shop owners. It’s amazing how many people share my same passion for thrifting, but still maintain their own unique identities as a brand. I love seeing what other shop owners source and I have learned a lot from other small business owners, both locally and worldwide.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThriftyWhitney?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
• Phone: (360) 280-0405
• Email: whitneysfinds@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriftywhitney/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thriftywhitney/

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.