Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Baum.
Hi stephanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From my 1st job in high school to majoring in fashion merchandising in college to a long corporate career in retail buying, fashion has been a part of my life. I love the pace of the business and that its every evolving. There are also problems to solve that keep you energized. Unfortunately some things are not meant to be forever. After another layoff, I had to reexamine what my next chapter would look like. I started reviewing franchise opportunities, nothing really excited me. i had always wanted to open a vintage clothing store. I decided to Google, resale franchise stores. I came upon Clothes Mentor. That is how this chapter began. I started talking to the company. I liked what they had to offer and the support they provided. Resale is hot right now. So I jumped in. It took 1 1/2 years to find the right location and another 6 months for buildout. In March 2026, Clothes Mentor Virginia Beach opened. We have been warmly and enthusiastically received by the community. Looking forward to continuing to offer great value and fashion finds for the customer for a long time to come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Bumpy road filled with highs and low scary moments. The amount of money outlay, was much more than I expected. Trying to balance expenses but running the business without sacrificing for the customer is hard. Being jack of all trades, expert of nothing is a common feeling. So many things to do, sometimes I don’t know how I will keep up.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am very proud of my accomplishments as a Retail Buyer. My ability to form relationships, to solve the problems for the growth of the business. I would say I am known for being direct and honest. Also for having a keen intuition for fashion. In my new role as entrepeneur, I am leveraging my knowledge from my corporate career and scaling for a smaller business model.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Bad luck for not playing the corporate games caused me to be laid off 3 times. Good luck that over the years I had a strong group of people that believed in me and gave me opportunities. Good luck that my husband believed in my abilities and was willing to support my entreprenuerial journey. Overall I don’t believe in good luck or bad luck. Most of what happens is based on your own doing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://virginiabeachva.clothesmentor.com
- Instagram: Clothes Mentor Virginia Beach
- Facebook: Clothes Mentor Virginia Beach
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieweissbaum/
