Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Claure.
Hi Cristina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I developed my taste for fashion at a very early age. As a toddler, I refused to wear anything that wasn’t pink, and I’ve carried that sense of personal expression with me ever since. I grew up in an environment that valued practicality, which led me to study business, but I never abandoned my love for fashion.
A year before graduating, I found myself deeply questioning what I wanted to dedicate my life to. I yearned for it to be something within fashion, but I hadn’t yet found my purpose. That shifted when I attended a sustainability conference at Harvard, where I learned about the environmental impact of the fashion industry, one of the most polluting industries in the world, polluting more than airplanes and ships combined! It was the first time I truly understood the consequences of overconsumption and the systems behind it, and I left feeling both shocked and inspired.
That experience gave me a clear direction: I wanted to be part of the change and contribute to the slow fashion movement.
At the same time, my connection to secondhand fashion had always been intuitive. I’ve always seen value in clothing beyond its first life. During COVID, I started an Instagram account where I styled and sold pieces from my own closet—initially just for fun and extra income while in college. What began casually quickly revealed itself as something much bigger.
After graduating in 2024, I was determined to build a career within this niche, but I quickly realized how limited opportunities were in the secondhand fashion space. Instead of waiting for a seat at the table, I decided to create my own.
That’s how Mariola Thrift Club was born.
Through MTC, my mission is to elevate the secondhand shopping experience—making it feel just as, if not more, desirable than traditional retail. I focus on curated, high-quality pieces and styling that inspires individuality, with the goal of shifting consumer behavior. Ultimately, I want to make secondhand the norm, proving that shopping sustainably doesn’t mean compromising on style. It enhances it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building Mariola from the ground up has definitely come with its challenges. For starters, I never planned on becoming an entrepreneur straight out of college, nor did I have the budget for it… Luckily, my consignment-based business model allowed me to start operating with little to no upfront investment.
On a personal level, building a business so early in my career has meant navigating financial pressure and uncertainty. I’ve had to juggle multiple jobs, working crazy hours and weekends, while growing Mariola Thrift Club to be able to sustain and grow the business.
At the same time, almost everything I do for the business is the first time I’m ever doing it. You should have seen this girly girl trying to build a website! From creating inventory systems, to managing operations, to accounting and legal work, I wear many hats.
As a founder, I’m constantly making decisions without a clear roadmap and without anyone telling me what the “right” move is. But that’s been the reality of entrepreneurship: constantly stepping into the unknown and figuring it out as you go. Over time, I’ve learned to see every challenge as something that sharpens my vision and makes me more resourceful.
I’ve also had to develop a strong sense of trust in my own instincts and, most importantly, patience—understanding that growth can’t always be forced and trusting the timing of things. I experienced this firsthand early on when a content creator came across my booth at a market and posted a TikTok that went viral. I suddenly had an overwhelming number of people trying to purchase pieces, but I didn’t yet have a website or the infrastructure to support that level of demand. It was both exciting and frustrating, but it pushed me to grow quickly and build the foundation my business needed.
Overall, one of the biggest ongoing challenges, and one I think many small businesses can relate to, is building brand awareness and visibility. In a digital world where our feeds are constantly saturated with content, it can be difficult to stand out and clearly communicate a brand’s mission. Having a great product isn’t enough—you also have to tell a story that captures attention and keeps people engaged.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Mariola Thrift Club is a luxury consignment platform known for its curated selection of one-of-a-kind pieces and experiential pop-ups in Miami. We specialize in high-quality fashion—ranging from vintage designer to contemporary garments—with a strong emphasis on materials and craftsmanship, not just brand names.
One of the ways we guide our customers is through education. On our website, we feature a “Shop 100%” section, where shoppers can explore pieces made entirely of natural, high-quality materials like silk, cotton, and wool. In an industry that increasingly relies on low-cost, synthetic fabrics like polyester, we aim to shift the focus back to durability, quality, and long-term value. Our goal is to offer pieces that are meant to last—while still being accessible.
Beyond product, Mariola is deeply rooted in experience and community. We are known for hosting creative, fashion-centered events that make secondhand shopping feel exciting and interactive. From Fashion Happy Hours to beaded embroidery workshops, where guests can upcycle their own garments, we create spaces where people can engage with fashion in a more intentional and hands-on way.
Our online store is built around curated collections, each with a distinct theme and story, allowing customers to shop in a more editorial and inspiring way. Alongside this, we host regular pop-ups across Miami, which we share through our social platforms, bringing our community together in real life.
What I’m most proud of is the community we are building—one that values personal style, creativity, and conscious consumption. Mariola is not just about buying clothes; it’s about changing the way people relate to fashion, making secondhand not only accepted, but desired.
How do you think about luck?
I believe that when you follow your passion, you are ultimately following the path that God—or the Universe—intended for you. And when you align with that path, things begin to unfold in ways that feel almost guided. Opportunities appear, the right people enter your life, and you’re given a level of energy and drive that carries you forward, even through challenges.
I’ve seen this play out with Mariola since day one. There have been so many moments that felt like “luck” —people trusting me with incredible pieces from their closets, strangers offering their support, creatives volunteering their time and talent, even winning a photography session giveaway that helped elevate my brand visually. Each of these moments came at a time when I needed them most.
Of course, I’ve also learned that what we often call luck is a combination of preparation, intention, and being open to receiving. I’ve put myself out there, taken risks, and stayed consistent—but I truly believe there has been something greater supporting me along the way.
So while I do feel very lucky, I don’t see it as random. I see it as confirmation that I’m walking the path I’m meant to be on, and that gives me a deep sense of trust in where Mariola is going.
Pricing:
- Designer Bags $350-$1000
- Designer Shoes $75-$350
- 100% Clothing $45-$200
- Pop-Ups $0-$55
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mariolathriftclub.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariolathriftclub/
Image Credits
Muse Studios, Ella Furness Photography, Mariola Thrift Club
