S9 Ep29 ELECTRICAL BANANA VINTAGE: Desirée Fors, founder and vintage curator - on knowing when to pivot in your business, and building community through Instagram Live sales.

S9 Ep29 ELECTRICAL BANANA VINTAGE: Desirée Fors, founder and vintage curator - on knowing when to pivot in your business, and building community through Instagram Live sales.

Author: Emily Stochl September 29, 2025 Duration: 58:57

On today's show, we're chatting with Desiree, founder of Electrical Banana Vintage. Her obsession with vintage started at a very young age, growing up in NYC where she kept herself occupied by playing 'store' while her mom attended college classes. Eventually, she got a job working at Nashville's oldest vintage shop, The Hip Zipper, and after three years learning the ropes and getting encouragement from the owner to follow her dreams, Desiree decided to take the leap and start her own vintage business.

She has great advice to share about pivoting in your business, and has taken Electrical Banana Vintage through several iterations, now finding she enjoys to sell and build community on Instagram live shows. I'll let her tell you all about it – let's dive right in!

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [3:19] Desiree grew up playing dress-up and store as a child
  • [6:21] What thrifting was like in 1990s New York City 
  • [10:36] She managed several small businesses in Nashville
  • [15:16] Lessons learned about running a business while working at the Hip Zipper
  • [20:24] Why Desiree opened a brick-and-mortar, but pivoted and closed it
  • [26:05] Staying open-minded and pivoting when you need to
  • [26:34] How to make social media work for you and your business
  • [34:53] How to define your brand as a reflection of your personal style
  • [40:59] Nashville's vintage scene has exploded to nearly 100 shops
  • [43:38] Favorites from Desiree's personal vintage collection

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

LET'S CONNECT: 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!

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  • Alana Rivero
  • Jerrica Yasumura





Every week, Emily Stochl invites you into a conversation that goes far beyond the clothing rack. Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl is built on the idea that every second-hand garment has a past, and that exploring those histories makes our present style more meaningful. Rather than just offering shopping tips, each episode feels like sitting down with a fascinating friend who shares your passion for vintage, digging into the many layers of what it means to wear pre-owned fashion. You’ll hear from a diverse range of guests-from collectors and stylists to entrepreneurs and historians-as they explore not only personal style but also the practicalities of running a resale business, the complexities of the global second-hand market, and the environmental ethos behind choosing used over new. The heart of this podcast lives in those incredible stories: the serendipitous flea market find, the garment that carries a decade of memories, or the simple, powerful act of giving a piece a new life. Emily guides these discussions with genuine curiosity, making each topic accessible whether you're a seasoned thrifter or just curious about sustainable fashion. It’s a thoughtful, engaging look at how what we wear connects to culture, art, beauty, and the kind of mindful consumption that can reshape an industry. Tune in for a fresh perspective that celebrates the character, sustainability, and deep personal connection found in pre-loved fashion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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