We’re looking forward to introducing you to Shea Radcliff. Check out our conversation below.
Shea, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I am one of those secret introverts with occasional extrovert tendencies, but even as I enjoy being alone, I know how important connection truly is. I also think true connection is really hard to find in this highly connected world.
I think most people struggle to connect. It’s why I love using what I do with this business and being a yoga teacher to foster and facilitate true connections. It lights me up to bring joy to pain and light to darkness. I hope that’s how people feel when they meet me and interact with what I do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Shea Radcliff of Radcliff’s Rad Thrifts, and I am a small thrifted, gifted, and vintage clothing brand. I believe that style is completely subjective, and whatever you choose to wear should make you feel confidently yourself. I specialize in finding unique pieces that make the wearer, feel like the one of a kind that they are!
I fell in love with thrifting at an early age when I would go with my mom to every early weekend garage sale. It wasn’t just what you would find, it was the thrill of the hunt! Now, I still love going to garage sales, estate sales, and the BINS (ifykyk)
I also am haunted by the stories and articles I read about how fast fashion and consumerism is polluting our planet. I care deeply about making a commitment to the slow fashion movement— wearing what you already have and thrifting what you don’t. It’s up to us to curb our over-consumption habits, and I think that looks like re-wearing clothes and learning how to style them!
I have recently started a collaboration with a few different artists to open a shop in downtown Alton, so that has kept me very busy at the moment, but I hope to do another coat drive for our local shelters again this year among other things, so be on the lookout for that!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
I wouldn’t be where I am today or be the person I am today without my partner Tom. We have been together for 10 years now, and I don’t think I would have had even half of the success I have had without his encouragement and unparalleled support. When I was mostly doing pop-up markets, he was a huge reason why I never gave up, when I most definitely would otherwise. He would load pounds and pounds of clothes from the back of his old Tahoe and into venues on his skateboard. He continues to support me, but thankfully it’s more mental support these days! I’m so thankful for him. He makes me feel like I could do anything if I set my mind to it.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh yeah. As previously stated, I have almost given up many times. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when it’s mostly just you running a business (or several). I struggle with my mental health, but I always remind myself that I am my own boss. I can take breaks and step away, but I always come back because I truly love it. Throughout the years since I started this, it has evolved so many times and in so many ways, but so have I. I think we need to give ourselves permission to grow and outgrow things sometimes. Sometimes that alone can take the pressure off.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is an interesting question, because it’s one I’ve been ruminating on recently for all of us who exist online and on social media. I am a pretty front facing person on camera, and while yes, that person is absolutely who I am, I believe all social media is curated. You don’t also see the person I am behind the camera. So yes it is, but it’s not the whole of who I am.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
I think most things in life are like this— the desire for it is usually more appealing than the thing itself. I read a book recently that talked about “Sweet Desire” and how that longing is really for the ultimate good, and no real object could ever satisfy. I think that feels right to me, so instead of reaching for a specific goal or number, I’m looking to do the most good I can with whatever I do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radcliffsradthrifts/
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/radcliffsradthrifts
