Advertising Specialty Institute

In the last few years, millennials and Gen Z-ers have changed the fashion industry by investing in used clothing. “Thrift-flopping” has even become a trend on social media platform TikTok, as people buy used clothes and give them new life with some simple handiwork. The billion-dollar thrifting industry is growing as young people intentionally make purchases to reduce waste, save money and keep up with trends. In this episode of Promo Insiders, ASI’s Eloisa Gutierrez speaks with Patricia Garcia, a student entrepreneur from Florida International University, about how Garcia tapped into the needs of college students across the country as they look for eco-friendly (and wallet-friendly) purchases. “As a student who would dread walking into the college bookstore because I knew I couldn’t afford anything,” says Garcia, “I wanted to change that.” Garcia founded College Thrifts LLC, an online platform for college students and alumni to sell their gently used university merchandise.