Hey there, folks! Today, we’re turning the spotlight onto a true local gem – Claudia Cantu, the heart and soul behind a small business that’s making waves in our community. Get ready to meet this dynamic entrepreneur who’s carving her own path in the business world, one creative idea at a time. So, grab a cup of your favorite brew, settle in, and let’s dive into the inspiring journey of Claudia Cantu and her fantastic small business! 🌟💼☕
Q: What is your origin story and how did your business come to be?
Claudia: The Peoples Thread Company was originally an idea I came up with during the height of COVID-19 in 2019. I was stuck in my house and decided to come up with a plan on how I (an Earth lover and adventurer) could make my difference in the world, even if it were a slither of help.
I first started out on depop selling clothing from my personal closet, all gently used/brand new, as “findsbyclaudia.” A few months later, I decided I wanted to do more as I learned a lot about how our earth has tons of landfills for clothing/garbage, the majority of which is CLOTHING! That was a massive eye-opener for me, and I felt there needed to be a change within “fast fashion,” so I started up a “slow” fashion business called “The Peoples Thread Company”.
Since the start, we have now saved over 9000+ items from landfills, shipped throughout the United States, and planted 250+ trees within the world. With every purchase made, I take textiles that are damaged and make them into something new from the piles of clothes that would otherwise reach the landfills. Our goal at the people’s thread is to spread kindness, education & awareness on how To keep the earth green and what we can do to make a difference.
Q: How did you initially spread the word about your business and gain a following?
Claudia: I had a tough time gaining followers for my business in the very first couple of months. However, once I made friends with other small businesses, I could learn from them and do live sales with them!
I learned I needed an aesthetic- or something that sets me apart from other businesses- to gain any following! — It was a HUGE learning process and still is!
However, I intended to gain a genuine following as numbers don’t matter to me, so don’t focus too much on how many people follow you and think about the authenticity of your crowd and customers! 🙂
Q: How do you stay organized when it comes to balancing your business with other parts of your life?
Claudia: I make a schedule weekly! I am also a full-time business management student, so some days, it can get hard, especially with tying self-care into the schedule. Running a business can be very hard but worth it! And REMEMBER, YOU run your business, not anyone else! — –Change that schedule if you have to! Put yourself first!
Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from running your own business?
It is NEVER easy. This is a journey of lots of learning as time goes by. Many people often think the process of starting a business is ABC, 123, but it’s more like “ajb482k.” HAHA!
Be PATIENT; do not rush your business to become a certain way either; time will do its thing, and you will learn that on your journey to success.
Q: What would you recommend to others trying to start their own business?
Think about the purpose of starting a business, set goals (even little ones!), and create a support team that will be there for you and answer your questions.
View this profile on InstagramThePeoplesThread by Claudia 🌞 (@thepeoplesthread.co) • Instagram photos and videos
Q: We are so appreciative of you being a loyal Thryft Ship user. How did you hear about us?
A few of my business friends used ThryftShip and said it was easy to use! I used it so many times with other accounts and felt it made everything very organized for me as it is so easy for DM’s to get lost! It’s also so much easier to use! I wish I had it around when I first started my business!
Q: Do you have any upcoming drops you’d like our readers to know about?
Claudia: Absolutely! I have sales 2-3 times a week and a story sale. I’m also introducing “fill a bag” into the mix. Stay tuned for some fantastic deals!
Claudia Cantu’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and purpose in entrepreneurship. Her commitment to sustainability and her dedication to making a positive impact on the environment serve as an inspiration to us all. Keep an eye out for her upcoming sales, and remember, your business journey is unique – embrace it and enjoy the ride!❤️
As always, Happy Thryfting and Happy Shipping!
Love,
The Thryft Ship Team 📦👚✨