Odette Parfitt | 041Baby
Meet Angelique Vermaak, founder of Thrifted Kiddo, Gqeberha’s own secondhand baby clothing business.
It’s a bit of an age-old dilemma: what do you do with your baby’s clothes when he
or she grows out of it (seemingly within two minutes of wearing it the first time)?
In the early days, sizes span months (or even weeks) instead of years, and
before you know it, you have cupboards overflowing with too-small clothes that
are still in perfect condition, and your little one has moved on to bigger things
(and outfits).
Gqeberha mom Angelique Vermaak was faced with the same question, but she
turned it into a business.
041Baby wanted to find out more about Thrifted Kiddo, Gqeberha’s own
Secondhand online baby shop.
Where did the idea come from for this business?
The idea was born when I had my two sons: Zion in 2019 and Lehan in 2021.
Every season I had to get rid of clothes to make room for new ones; I would see
items that were barely worn and then decide to rather sell these (though I do
donate some as well). I realised there must be other mothers in the same boat,
but perhaps they don’t always have the time to take pictures and list it online;
now they don’t have to.
How does the sales process work practically?
Clients contact me and bring the clothes they want to sell; I sort it (setting aside
items with holes or stains) and then take photos and upload it with pricing. I keep
stock for 8 weeks, and every week the client gets paid out a percentage of the
proceeds for the clothes that were sold. After the 8 weeks, if there is any stock
left unsold, the client can come to collect it or we will donate it on their behalf.
Where do you sell the items?
The business is still quite new. I sell online via Yaga and Facebook Marketplace
at the moment, but I am busy creating a website which will make the process
more convenient, so stay tuned.
What has the response been so far?
There are a few moms who want to sell, but there is a much bigger demand from
moms who want to buy.
Is Thrifted Kiddo a one-woman show or do you have employees?
So far I am handling all of it myself. It takes quite a bit of time, but if the business
expands and it gets too much I would definitely appoint someone to help. For
now I am just enjoying every moment – and the process of working through cute
baby clothes is enjoyable.
Do you have any plans to expand?
I would love to grow the business; if it gets big enough I’d want to open a physical
shop where the clothes can be displayed and customers can visit, browse and
buy with more convenience.
What makes your business unique?
Though there are many secondhand shops for baby clothing in South Africa, this
is the only one in Gqeberha, and it offers parents the chance to earn some
money back every week. The ultimate goal of the business is to help other
parents buy high-quality secondhand clothing from one another instead of letting
it pile up in a cupboard, and save or earn money in the process.
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