Join me for a conversation with Erica Barbee, founder of Barbee Dream House Luxury Resale, as we talk about the realities of building and growing a business in the pre-owned luxury space. Erica shares her journey into resale, what she’s learned along the way, and her perspective on sourcing, selling, customers, and navigating an industry that continues to evolve. Whether you’re already running a resale business or thinking about getting started, this episode offers an inside look at entrepreneurship in luxury resale, and the work that happens behind the scenes to build a business of your own.

Visit Barbee Dreamhouse Luxury: https://barbeedreamhouse.com

What if your customers could also become one of your best sources for inventory? In this episode, I sit down with Trendful founders Jackie de la Parte and Mailys Rabot to talk about how their software is helping resellers buy pre-owned fashion and luxury directly from their customers. We discuss how Trendful works, why they built the platform, and how resale businesses can create a more consistent stream of inventory without relying solely on traditional sourcing channels. Whether you're looking to scale your inventory, improve your buying process, or introduce a buyout program to your business, this episode is packed with insights for today’s reseller and the best part, you don't need a website to implement the program!

To learn more, visit: https://www.trendful.com

On this episode of Closet Full of Cash, I'm joined by Angie Houloose, Executive Director of NARTS, to discuss the future of the resale industry and the exciting new direction of one of its longest-standing organizations. We talk about the recent NARTS conference, the association's renewed Members First philosophy, the importance of education and community, and what's ahead for resale business owners. Whether you're new to resale or have been in the industry for years, this conversation offers valuable insights into where the industry is headed.

To learn more, visit: www.narts.org

After stepping in to help a buyer get refunded for a counterfeit Chanel bag (she has not been refunded), I woke up to a flood of threatening emails and voice messages. In this episode, I share how quickly things escalated and what it reveals about the scammer in luxury resale which should not be a surprise to anyone who has had any sort of interactions with him.

In this episode of Closet Full of Cash, we sit down with Rachana Lingutla, founder of LuxJardin, to discuss how her platform is changing the way consumers and resellers discover rare, authenticated vintage luxury. By indexing inventory from vetted independent boutiques across the U.S., LuxJardin is helping bring hidden luxury inventory online while supporting the independent boutiques behind it. In this episode, we discuss Rachana’s background, how she got started in luxury resale, how LuxJardin is helping resellers grow and gain visibility, and what the future of luxury resale looks like for independent sellers.

For more information, visit:

https://www.luxjardin.com/

In this episode of Closet Full of Cash, we’re talking about some of the biggest stories currently impacting the luxury resale industry. From the Poshmark shoe return scam, to Entrupy’s move away from hardware devices and into app-based authentication, we unpack what these shifts mean for resellers and the industry impact it will have.

We also discuss LVMH’s recent revenue decline, what it signals about the state of luxury retail, and why resale continues to outpace retail as consumers become more value conscious, and sustainability focused. Plus, we dive into Meta’s growing AI moderation problem and how automated systems are leading to accounts being hacked and stolen.

Before there were victims reaching out, social media warnings, and years of documented complaints, there was a single Instagram account that caught my attention.

In Episode 2 of Anatomy of a Scam, I share how I first became aware of a luxury reseller operating out of Canada and he was passing off counterfeit luxury items as authentic. What started as a simple conversation with a new luxury reseller, it would eventually turn into a ten-year journey of collecting stories, reviewing evidence, and speaking with people who say they were left financially and emotionally devastated.

This episode isn't about how the scam worked. It's about how I got involved, why I stayed involved, and what kept bringing me back to a story that refused to go away.

You can read the original blog post that started it all here: "Should You Shop Instagram?"

For more than a decade, I’ve followed the story of a Canadian luxury reseller and stylist whose name has repeatedly surfaced alongside allegations of counterfeit trafficking, knowingly selling fake luxury handbags, harassment, intimidation, and stalking. Behind the polished image and designer labels are years of accusations, unanswered questions, and individuals who claim they were harmed along the way.

In this first episode, we begin unpacking a story that has quietly circulated throughout the luxury resale industry for years, examining the allegations, the impact, and why so many people stayed silent for so long.

Explicit Language

Intro music by: Harrison Lace

"Hello and welcome to Closet Full of Cash, I’m your host, Deanna Thompson." Luxury resale isn’t a trend, it’s a global, multi-billion dollar industry, and it’s growing fast. Here is where we’ll go beyond the headlines to break down what’s really happening inside the luxury resale world, the news, the strategy, and the conversations most people never get access to.

From pricing and sourcing to authentication, margins, business strategy, and the headlines shaping the industry, you’ll hear candid, truthful conversations with founders, resellers, authenticators, and insiders who are building, scaling, and evolving the pre-owned luxury space.

A little about me. I’ve worked across authentication and wholesale, I’ve owned two luxury resale businesses, along with being an author, educator, advisor, and mentor. After more than twenty years in this industry, I’ve seen this industry evolve in many ways, but nothing like today. With misinformation, AI, and counterfeits flooding the market, it’s time to set the record straight and share the truth about luxury resale, one of the most important categories in fashion.

Whether you’ve been in luxury resale for years, are just getting started, or are simply curious about why this industry is exploding, Closet Full of Cash was created for you. Welcome!