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Teen entrepreneur makes a go of My Sister's Closet

By PAULA BARR\Daily Journal Staff Writer

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Jessica Standfuss walks around My Sister's Closet, straightening hangers and setting up sales racks. She sorts clothing by type, color, sleeve length and sales status, and tidies up her desk. Weekend shoppers are out and about, and these are typical chores for a clothing store owner who wants her store to look its best.

This owner, however, is not typical. Jessica, who bought the "gently used" clothing store last summer, is a teen entrepreneur making a go of her first business.

"I'm trying to make this more of a teen store," the 16-year-old Farmington High School sophomore said. "I want this to be a place for teens to come in here and get fashionable clothes when they don't have time to go up to the mall."

Jessica bought My Sister's Closet from her friend Chelsea Brown when Brown headed to college last summer. Jessica kept the store's name because she likes the inference it makes.

"A lot of times when you have a sister, you swap clothes," she pointed out.

Jessica said she comes from an entrepreneurial family. Her mother, Beth, is a realtor, and her father, Dennis, owns a construction company. Younger brother Michael already owned a businesses that handles cleanup and maintenance of repossessed homes.

So, when Jessica learned Brown was selling the store, it only seemed natural to broach the idea to her parents that she buy the store. In response, Beth Standfuss told her daughter to read the book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." The book focuses on "making your money work for you," Jessica said.

"When she first came to me, I brushed her off," said Beth Standfuss, a realtor. "She came back to me with a business plan. Then she essentially threw the book back in my face and said, 'Wasn't that why you wanted me to read the book?'"

Jessica's plan included cashing in the Disney stock she had had since birth, and borrowing money - with interest - from her brother and parents to buy the store and initial merchandise. My Sister's Closet opened under her management on Aug. 1.

The store is tucked into a corner of The Factory, inside a room with wire walls. Jessica decorated one wall with pictures and the store's name. She set aside sales racks and put special displays outside the store. Perhaps the most important change, Jessica said, was in the quality and type of clothing she accepts.

"Chelsea had people working for her and sometimes they weren't careful about the type of clothing they accepted," Jessica said. "I go through everything that is brought in to make sure there are no stains or holes. I only buy clothes that would appeal to teens.

"No old lady clothes," she added with a grin.

Among the brands Jessica buys are Hollister, Abercrombie and Fitch, Forever 21, and Express, she explained.

For the school's recent Sweetheart Dance, Jessica wore a stunning dress from her store, Beth Standfuss pointed out.

"She has great fashion sense," Standfuss said. "The whole concept of this store makes a lot of sense. I'm really proud of her."

Jessica buys clothing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday or by appointment. Clothes must be washed and in good condition. Jessica buys mainly shorts, jeans, sweaters, shirts, and formal gowns, with some accessories and dress shoes. Sizes range from 0 to 15, and extra small to large.

Jessica also buys men's clothing, but they doesn't stay in the store for long, she warned.

To publicize her store, Jessica advertises in local high school papers and through an Internet newsletter. She also plans to hold a dress swap before prom so that girls can sell their used prom dresses. Participants will pay for a table, make their own prices, and keep their own profits, Jessica said.

This year, she took an accounting class to help her keep the store's finances in order. The class helped her a great deal, Jessica said.

So far, My Sister's Closet is a success, Jessica said.

"I pay $300 a month in rent and give a 10 percent commission to the cashiers (at The Factory)," Jessica said. "I also make enough money to pay for my own cell phone, my gas, and my car insurance."

She plans to buy stock with additional profits, she added.

The hardest part of owning her own business is juggling commitments, Jessica said. During the week, she is a high school cheerleader, which takes up several nights for games. She also is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, Mayor's Youth Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Farmington High School Student Council. In her spare time, she is learning to play guitar.

At times, keeping the books for her business can be frustrating.

"Every once in a while, I can't figure out why I have $2 left over when I try to balance the books," she said. "That's when I call, 'Mom, I need help" and she shows me what I am doing wrong."

Jessica thrives on her busy schedule, and embraces each new challenge. She has doubled up on math classes to sharpen her bookkeeping skills and increase her independence.

"I'm trying to get responsible so when I go to college," Jessica said. "That way, it won't be such a big change."

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