‘Thrift by Kus’: A Second-Hand Clothing Venture Born from a Overstuffed Wardrobe

Twenty-one-year-old entrepreneur Kusum Regmi runs a popular second-hand clothing store called ‘Thrift by Kus’ in Kathmandu. When thinking about the numerous clothes piled up in women’s wardrobes, the answers can often be intriguing. Women’s drawers are filled with clothes—some old, some new, and some never worn. Yet, as soon as new clothes appear in the market, women find it hard to resist. So, what can be done when there is an overwhelming stack of garments? Kusum adopted an innovative approach and started a thrift shop specializing in second-hand clothes.

Kusum’s ‘Thrift by Kus’ has become a well-known name among the youth of Kathmandu. The venture began when she posted a video on social media selling clothes from her own wardrobe. At school, Kusum was always interested in business. During grades 11 and 12, she often discussed opening a store with her father, although she wasn’t considering pursuing business seriously at that time. She posted a video on her personal TikTok account showcasing old clothes for sale, which received unexpectedly positive responses.

According to Kusum, she was drawn to the concept of thrift shopping from the start. The idea of acquiring high-quality branded clothes at affordable prices appealed to her. After researching suppliers from various countries, she decided to import clothes from Bangkok. Many of the items in a thrift store are either new or leftover branded stock that hasn’t been used. Kusum does not view her thrift business merely as a commercial venture but as a campaign linked to environmental conservation.

The majority of Kusum’s customers today belong to Generation Z, particularly students attending schools and colleges who are more attracted to thrift fashion. Notably, online orders from outside Kathmandu are also coming in significant numbers. Kusum plans to expand with additional branches in the future, but for now, her priority is strengthening the supply chain and improving service quality. What started as a simple wardrobe cleanout has grown into an initiative that promotes sustainable fashion, reuse, and entrepreneurship among young people.