How to start a thrift business in Ghana

Markets such as Kantamanto in Accra sell both whole bales and hand-picked pieces. A bale is cheaper per piece, but you can't see most of it, and some of it won't be fit to sell. Selected pieces cost more each, and you know what you're paying for. While you're learning what your customers buy, that's worth more than the discount.

The early hours matter. Sellers pick from bales on market days and good pieces go fast: one Instagram seller told Graphic she has to be at the market by 4 a.m. She also stopped buying whole bales, and now buys from dealers who do, so she can choose what she expects to sell.

Don't divide what you spent by every piece you bought. Divide it by the pieces you can sell.

An example: you spend GH₵ 1,000 on 40 pieces, and 10 turn out stained or torn. Your cost is GH₵ 1,000 ÷ 30, about GH₵ 33 a piece, not GH₵ 25. Price from GH₵ 33, then add transport, washing and your profit.

1. Wash, iron and fix what's quick to fix.
2. Photograph it in daylight, on a hanger or on a person.
3. Measure it flat, in inches. Thrift sizes can't be trusted.
4. Show any flaw in its own photo.
5. Give it a number, so buyers can say which one they want.

Every thrift piece is one of one, which is your advantage. Tell people when new stock lands, and release it all at the same time, the way market sellers talk about first selection.

• Announce it a day ahead on your Status: "New drop, Friday 7 p.m."
• Message your best buyers before you post. The same Instagram seller keeps a list of clients so she can offer them new finds first.
• Set one rule and keep it: for example, "first to pay gets it, holds last two hours".
• Mark sold pieces quickly, so nobody pays for something already gone.