Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Wheatley.
Hi Alexandra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
In high school, I attended four different proms. You heard that right: four proms. Four different, unique dresses are hard to find – and they are hard to pay for. I spent over one thousand dollars on those four dresses, and I only wore each of them once. I began to wonder what it would be like if I could rent them.
In college, the problem only worsened. While I couldn’t afford other rental platforms that offered subscription models, events continued to pervade my life. On yet another special occasion, I made the decision to buy a quality dress. As I hovered over the purchase button, I winced at the enormous price tag. It was then that I recognized that such a cost should be considered an investment. Just like any investment, there should be a means to recuperate the value of the cost or have the potential to profit. I scoured everywhere for an app I could rent my clothes on. There was nothing. It was then I knew that I had to build it myself!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The process has not been smooth, but it has been beautiful. It actually has been one of the most difficult processes of my life! I have been pretty transparent to those around me that it is not an easy or fast process, and there are ALWAYS uncontrollables. I also work full-time while building, so my schedule has been really hard. That being said, I am grateful for every moment. I have spent about a year developing designs, mocking up prototypes, and testing.
There have been mental breakdowns, teary moments, big wins, and huge learning curves. I am in love with the process because I pushed myself and taught myself things I wouldn’t even begin to believe a year ago. I am beyond proud of the way it looks and the service it provides for so many women who want something nice, yet affordable, for their events.
As you know, we’re big fans of RentMyFit. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
RentMyFit is the first of its kind in the U.S.: a clothing rental app free from subscriptions. RentMyFit is the first app to allow you to lend out your own clothes and rent from others! It’s real women and real closets. I love that RentMyFit not only provides a way for women to make money but also is a means through which they can save!
The monetary benefits and social good were enough to satisfy me as a businesswoman, but it’s not enough to satisfy me as an environmentalist.
I studied Environmental Science in college, and I realized how horrific and unsustainable our clothing consumption economy is in the United States. I was shocked to find only 18% of clothing in thrift stores is resold. The other 82% meets up in a landfill with the scraps left over from production and excess unsold merchandise. Even more surprisingly, a woman wears an outfit on average only 7x before discarding it, and that use actually decreases for higher-end items. RentMyFit is a circular model that fights for the longevity of your clothing. RentMyFit is a platform that extends the lifespan of clothing – reducing textile waste and landfill overflow.
My hope is with RentMyFit, women can invest in their closets and use their clothing as an asset. This not only provides a means for women to start a side hustle but also contributes to a sustainable fashion economy.
What do you think about happiness?
I think that happiness derives from a deep understanding of self-worth. My entire life changed when I started my first business. My feelings of isolation, depression and even worthlessness slowly diminished once I started to apply myself. I transformed from being helpless, weak, and scared, to strong, powerful, and self-assured. I gained a self-confidence I had never had in my entire life. I take great joy in my work ethic, and I am incredibly inspired by women who are empowered through their work. Female founders, such as Sara Blakely, Robin Arzon, and Anne Wojcicki, have truly inspired me and helped me foster a self-believe I never could have imagined. I love seeing women who fight for their voices to be heard, make no excuses, and find a way, especially in the business sphere.
My greatest success would be that RentMyFit empowers one woman.
I bolded the above changes. Thank you so much!!
I am incredibly excited and humbled.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.rentmyfit.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rentmyfitapp/
Image Credits
Phoebe Marshall and the RentMyFit
