In this episode of The Retail Pilot, Sarah Davis and Ben Hemminger, co-founders of Fashionphile, share the remarkable journey of building the largest online platform for buying and selling ultra-luxury handbags and accessories in the U.S. From its beginnings as a small eBay shop in 1999 to a multimillion-dollar brand with flagship locations in New York and California, Fashionphile has become a pioneer in luxury re-commerce.

Sarah and Ben open up about the early challenges of earning consumer trust, overcoming the stigma around pre-owned luxury, and building a model based on authenticity, innovation, and customer experience.

This episode dives into the mechanics of luxury resale, from authentication and pricing to the customer behaviors driving growth. Sarah and Ben also share candid insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to scale a business from a basement to a global stage while staying true to their vision of making pre-owned luxury both legitimate and desirable.

Together, Sarah and Ben discuss:
• The origins of Fashionphile and how they recognized the opportunity in luxury resale
• The importance of authenticity and dispelling myths about pre-owned goods
• How a 90210 address and Rodeo Drive proximity built credibility with customers
• The difference between Fashionphile’s model and competitors like The RealReal and Rebag
• Why their buyout approach creates stronger customer trust and profitability
• The partnership with Neiman Marcus and now Saks Global, and how it has fueled growth
• Their vision for international expansion and the untapped opportunities in luxury re-commerce
• Leadership lessons from building a family business and keeping a team motivated by vision

Tune in now to hear how Fashionphile is transforming the way the world thinks about luxury resale. And remember — subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Retail Pilot.

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