Today, we're chatting with Margy McCarthy, a 29-year-old who did something most of us only dream about — she walked away from a corporate career to take over her grandmother's 57-year-old resale business, Elite Repeat.
Grandma, Betty started Elite Repeat in 1969 in the Chicago suburbs as a consignment business. For over 50 years, she ran her shop with no website, no social media – just word of mouth, a gift for connection, and an eye for craftsmanship and quality in vintage pieces. All these years later, the regulars who came in with their moms are now coming in with their daughters.
Our guest today, Margy, grew up with a front row seat to all of it — doing her homework on a vintage sofa in the consignment room, watching her grandmother and learning early that the real business wasn't the clothes. It was the relationships.
On today's show, she'll share how she found her way back to Elite Repeat, as the pull of the business became impossible to ignore.
In 2024, she sat down with her grandmother, who is now 92, and made it official. Since then, she's built Elite Repeat's first ever website, grown their audience on TikTok and Instagram, and attracted consignors flying in from the East Coast after finding Elite Repeat through her videos.
Margy shares the story of how Betty built Elite Repeat from a single gown to a destination for St. John knits and vintage furs, and – speaking of – we'll get into the craft of vintage fur: how to choose it, how to care for it, and why Margy thinks the renewed interest comes with a real responsibility. And we talk about what it means to carry forward something your grandmother built, brick by brick, for nearly six decades.
DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- [4:41] After leaving competitive diving, Margy found her interest in fashion rising.
- [5:06] Margy's early memories of being at Elite Repeat with her grandma.
- [6:47] How Betty started Elite Repeat in 1969, and grew the business entirely through word of mouth
- [10:48] How secondhand shopping has shifted over the decades
- [16:02] Taking the leap to leave her corporate job and take over Elite Repeat
- [17:24] What Betty taught Margy about running the business
- [19:22] The relationships at the heart of Elite Repeat
- [23:24] Expanding Elite Repeat's reach beyond the local community.
- [26:31] Facing the challenges of taking over — like building the website, learning photography, and navigating people and emotions.
- [29:10] St. John knits are one of the shop's specialties.
- [31:16] Elite Repeat has always specialized in vintage furs, and the responsibility behind recirculating vintage furs
- [34:46] How to pick out an investment vintage fur coat — what to look for
- [36:04] How to take care of a vintage fur coat.
- [41:43] Margy's personal style philosophy includes tailoring, and dressing with intention
- [44:37] Special pieces and memorable finds.
EPISODE MENTIONS:
LET'S CONNECT:
SPECIAL THANKS:
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