SECOND CHANCE
In my Growing the New Venture course, I co-founded Second Chance, a luxury fashion platform built on the principles of accessibility, sustainability, and circular design. The company was created to redefine how people experience luxury by providing a rent, buy, and sell model for authenticated high-end items. The concept originated from a growing awareness that while luxury fashion is admired for its quality and craftsmanship, it is often financially and environmentally inaccessible.
Our goal with Second Chance was to give every designer piece a second life — making luxury attainable while reducing waste and promoting conscious consumption. This concept spoke directly to my interests in sustainable entrepreneurship and market innovation, combining purpose-driven business strategy with creativity and technology.
As co-founder and lead strategist, I played a central role in shaping the company’s vision and structure. I began by conducting market research and industry analysis to identify gaps within the secondhand and rental fashion markets. Through this process, I discovered that while existing competitors like Rent the Runway and The RealReal had established strong models, neither offered a fully integrated system that allowed users to rent, buy, and sell on one platform. This insight became our unique value proposition.
I led the concept development and brand positioning, ensuring our identity reflected sophistication, sustainability, and trust. We emphasized curation and authenticity, developing a user experience centered around personalization and quality control. To achieve this, I proposed integrating AI-powered item recommendations and real-time authentication systems to elevate user confidence and convenience.
Our business model included tiered subscription levels offering various access to inventory, from entry-level luxury rentals to exclusive designer collections. I created detailed financial projections and funding strategies, projecting profitability through monthly subscription revenue, resale commissions, and late-return penalties. This experience allowed me to apply financial modeling and operations management in a tangible, high-impact way.
In addition to operational strategy, I spearheaded our marketing plan, which leaned heavily into influencer partnerships, digital campaigns, and pop-up activations. We aimed to make Second Chance not only a platform but a movement for mindful fashion consumption. Our brand messaging focused on empowerment — that luxury should be enjoyed, not owned, and that sustainability can be chic.
Through this project, I learned how to bring an idea from concept to investor pitch, how to articulate business value clearly, and how to balance creativity with structure. Working in a collaborative team environment also taught me the importance of communication and accountability in early-stage business development.
Ultimately, Second Chance represents my belief that entrepreneurship can be both profitable and purposeful — a principle that continues to guide my academic and professional path. The venture was a powerful lesson in how thoughtful innovation can reshape industries, empower consumers, and drive lasting impact.