STARTING AN ONLINE BUSINESS // photography, modeling, thrifting, website design

if you need a website! ➭ www.squarespac...
my online store :,) ➭ www.bestdresse...
instagram ➭ / best.dressed
subscribe for weekly vids ➭ bit.ly/bestdres...
In which I take y'all along on with me as I take my little thrifting and reselling side business to the next level by starting my own online clothing store! Shenanigans include a behind the scenes look at how thrift for stock, model clothes, crop thrifted shirts, edit my product photography, and designed my website. The whole process from start to finish took 11 days, a decent vlogging camera, about $300 in stock, 18 cups of tea, and one very sleep deprived college student.
As I think this video makes pretty clear, I am by no means an experienced professional at this (I'm literally 19 lol) and probably look like a bit of an idiot, but I'm all for that entrepreneurial spirit of going for it and figuring it out as you go along. The website isn't perfect right now, and can't wait to continue to improve my photography and modeling and add international shipping and my own clothing designs, but thank you so much for all your support in the meantime as this business grows and evolves!
F A Q
what’s your name? ashley
what’s your instagram? @best.dressed
how old are you? 20
how tall are you? 5'5"
what’s your ethnicity? half british and half burmese
what equipment do you use to film?
➭ camera: amzn.to/2DfL4cZ
➭ mic: amzn.to/2msu7Bo
➭ editing: final cut pro
FTC: Sponsored by Squarespace. All opinions are my own!

[@onyasay]

You should make scrunchies out of all that fabric you cut off, then you can sell shirts and matching scrunchies as a set

[@AriaIndy]

Sonya Grgich that’s such a good idea 😍

[@Poofeyfoofey]

Please no

[@sauleaseviciute5668]

@J Bernstein they didn't

[@blazereho811]

J Bernstein scrunchies never died for those of us with thick/curly hair lol

[@sauleaseviciute5668]

@@blazereho811 yeees

[@Samantha-bm6of]

Ashley is honestly such a style icon!! I want your clothes! The caffeine overdose is the most college mood tbh.

[@benjerry8987]

"It takes money to make money" is the quote you are searching for

[@addynzerem]

wow. that is deep.

[@oatmeal_reads]

except i dont have any money lmfao

[@yourstrulybritney]

A fashion icon and a businesswoman? Yes, girl!

[@rockinstrawberries]

A better version of Netflix's Girl Boss, lets be honest

[@NadineFelice]

this was really really well made!!! i love your videos so much! congrats on your website hehe

[@evanotava]

so proud of you!!! can’t wait to see what the future has in *store* (ba dum tiss) for you!!

[@elainee_liu]

This is my first comment ever on KZbin... I just received the item I purchased and I am so happy with it! Also, I really appreciated the thank you note you left along with the clothing item...it shows how grateful you are to your customers and what a great person you are. :)

[@bestdressed]

hey elaine, i’m so honored to have your first comment ever!! :) thank you so much for stopping by my channel and shop and writing this comment, i really appreciate it :)

[@erinrowland2725]

What is your method for pricing items? Is there a certain cutoff point where you choose not to buy an overpriced item even though it's an awesome find, and have you noticed a limit to how much you can mark up an item before it won't sell? Thanks, and congrats on your hard work paying off!

[@RahulRoy-lp9oy]

Hii

[@princesaipelingon8667]

Hi Ashley, I just wanna Thank you for all the things you shared to your channel. you're someone who wants to help other people by sharing what you already know. I've been a subscriber since maybe 6 months ago and I've learned so many things already. You've been a sister to everybody. Thanks for all the tips about business and also KZbin. Your videos inspired me in so many ways.. 💕 thank you and much love from Philippines 💖

[@Nennah.]

I recommend changing the colors of the website- yes pastel is cute and aesthetic, but it's not user friendly. Those who have trouble seeing will not be able to read the menu. The light pink text with off-white background is hard to see, even for me (I'm a graphic designer).

[@donabethlovete7650]

❤

[@semprecantando]

You're so talented! I love when I see young people follow their passions ❤️ as a mother that's exactly what I wish for my own children. I wish you great success in your new business.

[@blenasfere8577]

1) I loveee these kinds of videos where you kinda show a process like your room makeover vid and this one because it has so many different aspects like vlog, sit down explanations, etc. 2) I really admire your dedication to the things you love doing. I was totally rooting for you when you were on 3 hours of sleep but still killing it and getting excited with you when you launched because the site looks so good! Can't wait to see everything you do in the future and cheer you on :)

[@BrendyRod]

I know you posted this a long time ago. I'm brainstorming a new business right now and your video was SO HELPFUL! Like, thank you sis! You're so great!

[@MoreStephanieHarford]

Omg! I just came across this video and the process you're doing (and being a film student) is literally ME and it's so comforting to see someone else I can relate to! I've had so many bumps in the road with starting my online shop and thrifting to begin (to eventually design but that's a loooong term goal haha). Anyway, still watching the video but had to pause to comment because I got so excited to find someone else doing similar things with similar interests!! :)

[@StephanieCYap]

Omggg I hope you share your portfolio website too hehe

[@AbigailWongDandioy]

i just discovered your channel and i can't stop binging on your videos! i love them so much!

[@emejay4631]

Om you've grown from a KZbin thrifting gal to a best dressed business woman ima proud subscriber

[@chareechareee]

You inspire small business owners like me ❤️

[@LisaWamaitha]

i think your business is amazing..me and my mum are kind of planning on doing the same thing here in Kenya...this gives me a lot more inspiration

[@charladelfin]

i wish we had good thrift shops here in the Philippines too!! 😩 always LOVE your videos, ashley! 💗

[@LoquepiensaMich]

Somehow I don't see your video on my feed. I hate KZbin sometimes.

[@sheyibay1262]

Mich Comecerebros same😠

[@zuperida]

Same for me! Had to resubscribe for it to show up!

[@LoquepiensaMich]

Ida Ljungqvist i just put the bell on, but now that you say that I will try it too !

[@Nicole_gotit]

Same here! First I loved her just because she's another Ashley lol but she really is a cool Ashley

[@charlotteanderson2940]

You look SO happy doing this!!!

[@bellahu5330]

your music is Maggie Rogers! I love her!

[@mhgni.b6314]

Hey when you get your own brand can I model for you. P.s you go girl

[@xdiyanahx]

Nasty Gal who??

[@joydesi7293]

okay not related but I feel like it’s different for girls isn’t sexist, it’s acknowledging that women have an emotional complexity and in society it’s okay to but for men they’re expected to have the emotional depth of a kiddie pool. It speaks volumes on how men are expected to suppress their feelings, in fear of femininity (which isn’t okay men should embrace their “feminine” qualities) and how it’s not okay for there to be a double standard for the two genders, and it opens the talk on why we should care about men’s feelings as well. Masculinity is ironically, toxic for men as well. Sorry it’s 2 am rn don’t hate me I love you ashley okay I’m done bye

[@mayanath4515]

Wow so...i just Discovered your website and i would've bought literallllllly everything except the fact that its all SOLD OUT😭😭

[@shananiiigans]

Honestly this is so awesome and inspiring! I love your website and it’s so cool to see how far you’ve come💫

[@twilightapothecarynj917]

“Just like the rest of us” 😂 love this thanks for showing us the real deal

[@eleonora1228]

Ash I loveyou so much and I can see how hard you've worked on this. Really wish the best for you. Please take care of yourself and sleep a little more. Hope I'll be able to purchase from Italy one day :)

[@yalelaw]

"everything in my life is running out of battery, including me"

[@Cc-hl6lv]

I’m starting a website as well and one of my BIGGEST problems is coming up with the name! Every time I come up with an Idea I check and see if there is already a website that has that name and of course there is

[@clarissatampos]

hi! been up to thrifting also and i love how great the quality of clothes from thrift store... but the size is usually off :( I tried sewing to adjust the size issue but i just end up ruining the whole thing :(( congrats on your new site 😁😁😁

[@bellalara7134]

Im so proud of you, Ashley! (,: how im trynna be when I'm in college

[@aquagamer1212]

So if I’m correct...you buy thrifted items, flip them, and then resell them? Genius! 💙

[@angelvillena6661]

oh man, i haven't heard anyone say derp since like, 2012 lmao i love love love this video tho, it's a lil different from your usual ones but i'm digging it!! defs gonna buy something from your store once i'm not a broke bitch anymore 😍

[@karlagomez2216]

im so glad that I found you! thank you queen for the inspo

[@ToujoursCroire]

Please do a tutorial for that data breakdown! You can blur any $$$, but please! I need to know how to keep track of that, systems and everything

[@sammiecoulter]

ur such a role model to me,, ashely! idk if you’re going to see this but you’ve inspired me SO MUCH!! i love how open and honest you are... keep it up!! you have so much more influence than you realize:))

[@kimngannguyenthi5251]

I just checked your website and everything was sold out. How am I supposed to shop now Ashley

[@amandamaryanna]

This is so awesome! Congrats!

[@nenabruce8300]

How do you use your G7x camera? Do you set it up on self timer or do you have a canon remote? Thanks for this video!

[@pinksbrown117]

Awesome vid. Pls tell me the expense associated with square space. You have inspired me. I am a long time thrifter and you have taught me so much.

[@isabellegrubbs2582]

What program did you use to track inventory? I have an eBay account I sell on and I've been using a 50+ page google doc sheet to track everything! It loads so slow and I have to make all the columns by hand, help!!

[@Elizabeth-gp8xb]

don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure Microsoft Word is an app where the pages are all columned. You can't take the columns away tho. Not sure if this helped because I'm not exactly sure of your problem but let me know!

[@tahliyajayde]

Excel would be a good program i believe!

[@cutfrommarble8486]

I use finalfees (a website!!)

[@luviedeul2823]

tbh, ur one of my great inspiration in my life to do such things like these. like i want to try business with clothes and stuffs😭💖

[@MyraDPrice]

Hello, I want to refer your website to different people, but I have to forgo doing so because it's difficult to read your verbiage due to the light type face against the light background. Please consider rectifying the issue to attract more customers. Best wishes.

[@samiraclex]

hey i'm interested in a few pieces on your website but is there international shipping?? or as in how much should we pay for it? x

[@tanajenner3636]

Kaladin. Yeah I’m in the same position

[@Sophie-nm7fy]

Sometimes I feel bad for loving mulan’s “I’ll make a man out of you” because the whole premise is sexist but it’s really catchy and good lol!

[@mckinley4079]

love the website also, this video is super interesting to watch, you should vlog more often!

[@molemomoalosi]

You probably won't see this problem but would you mind doing a tutorial on how you take the data for your stock? 😭

[@kaitlynnrose1836]

Lmao when you get a wix as on this square space sponsored video

[@junejune9012]

do you alter everything from the thrifting ? and just sell what it looks on you? cuz it looks like u model them and reselling them right?! sorry that must be the dumbest question of the week, u can notify me what prize do i win later:) peace

[@mrsbebeeledger]

im seriously starting a business this year!! I swear to it!!! Im interested in selling thift flip items, handcrafted items, and other things! thank you for this video! LOVE YOU

[@kristenmagann3059]

Thank you! Different for Girls is such a gross song lol. I love a lot of country but damn sometimes those Bros sing about some bullshit.

[@valeriakitty12]

I just clicked onto your site and THAT PROFIT MARGIN, jeezus, get that coin, sis 💰

[@ilsecole9793]

Is your website coming back online?

[@ydlacs7911]

Big sis at her work😄♥️

[@mitotv6376]

Very good content.. 👌👌👌

[@Yana-vq3vk]

I think the website was/is adorable but I wish she'd put a card with her signature in it (like a thank you card) but that's probably stupid

[@savannahhall4548]

Not to be dramatic or anything but I’d die for you

[@rachelfrancescagreen]

I find your videos so inspiring! Hope I can be even half as inspirational in my new KZbin channel 😍

[@HiChinachannel]

I guess I watch this for the second time. Then why didn't make money🤣, I don't know how to make money and what's the business model? And what kind of products or service you can provide for your clients or consumers? We don't know or learn it from the school🤪

[@travelvintage1311]

Omg 😃 I literally just found youtube page and I ❤️ it so much I think your amazing and inspire me to do the same ...starting a business is definitely something I want to pursue, but I wonder with thrift shopping how careful are you suppose to be with brands names?

[@gees4624]

you just saved my life!!! I needed my own web site and I didn’t know where can to do this, but this video girl! Omg!! I love!!!!!

[@tytimlet]

Great video! Are you shipping your products yourself?

[@Ms.MD7]

Omg you're so young but such a boss lady. Glad to discover your YT channel.

[@Ailyn]

I really like your vibes and editing style! hope the business is going well, new subscriber here! :)

[@Fantasy.Beauty]

I want to do sell thrifted clothes as well, I tried poshmark and depop. Yes it works but I want soon get like an actual website. Like I want a professional look. Anyways the question I have is, do you sell the items as just one quantity. Like that’s the thing I’m nervous about is that I have only have one of each item ( obviously since it’s thrifted), is that okay or should I just not do it because I don’t have multiple quantities of that item. I hope this makes sense

[@jasminebasra7023]

Hey, your videos never show up in my sub feed. You should let KZbin know

[@Alina-ti8wu]

ooh this reminds me of girlboss ahhaha

[@madelynchabot]

AHH IM SO EXCITED!!!

[@eiabuendia1374]

How you make the focus stay on you on your g7x? Im finding a hard time on it. End up on blurred photos 😭

[@desireegreen9534]

Country music??? A lot of respect lost.. lmao

[@lexil5036]

God Bless You Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, Only Christ saves Not works, Faith...

[@winniethepooh6961]

will there be more clothing uploaded? :))

[@olivia6530]

Side it her brand name low key looks like glossier

[@akshata7566]

This didn’t come in my sub box???

[@gracebrown5647]

TheWeirdOne me neither

[@bestdressed]

nooooooo wtf youtube :(

[@akshata7566]

bestdressed ;( it’s ok we know Ashley gets all the views ❤️

[@carolnelson1439]

mine either. i was so confused

[@mariek6671]

Could you share how you do your bookkeeping and tracking what you spent versus earn. Trying to figure out the best and easiest system to track for taxes and earnings.. thank you

[@fleurj7850]

''waiting for it to give in and die one day --- just like the rest of us'' ahahaha

[@Deamonfly]

Ok but like this is probably the best Squarespace sponsorship vid I've ever seen: hey look a fantastic site can be made in less than a week from a person who has been procrastinating because she's a perfectionist! Yoooou caaaan tooooo

[@TriniRoyQuiReyes]

So cute I wish you success dear,wondering how long it takes to get everything up and running.Wow So happy for you.

[@courtneyc7649]

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR TRENCH COAT😍😍😍

[@maggieou1080]

How does that work? Do you only have one item of each piece that you sell online? (since you thrift your clothes)

[@maddisona9055]

can you do an updated version of this ? from youtube to your jewellery collection etc ????

[@beeboop4627]

I hope this does not sound dumb but what do you do with the remaining pieces of cloth after you alter/cut them?

[@RoSims]

i love you and your channel oh and don't forget how much i love your style!!!

[@vaibhavigaekwad4517]

Is this website making tool - squarespace, free of cost?

[@orlandolaughter9772]

Two thumbs up. I like your site and who's that model.

[@rachanakhe8160]

I want to start this kind of online selling as well but I wonder, did you buy those and just resell it ? or did you put your own label shop on it?

[@analu8956]

I feel you when a song is sooo cachty and has great ritm but you cant pay attention to the lyrics or you'll deel bad at all the sexist bullshit it presents

[@Dolcedollie]

Girl Did you purchase a personal plan or business plan with square?

[@kickinitwithjess]

You actually gave me the idea to start reselling used clothes:) I'm starting on depop, hopefully it works out. I'd love to have a little business reselling clothes, I've always loved finding gems at the thrift store:)

[@withamylee]

haha i wanna feel like a real legit human too 😅

[@ayeshasetar494]

How did u send the items to your customers?

[@ainsleyrose623]

lol i went to the website and everything is sold out. Good job lol

[@uzmasheikh3428]

Ashley! Can u pls check your dm (Insta)

[@lovealbion]

I'm watching this in 2020 and wow, how much you've grown! You're an inspiration!

[@Bambina_11]

Can you make a video on how to create the website step by step. 🐈🐈

[@viviantheresesangabriel2555]

HOLY FUCK I LIVED IN THAT APARTMENT COMPLEX LAST YEAR LOL