How to Start a Secondhand Resale Side Hustle (and Earn Nearly $9,000 Your First Year)

Hey, friend! I came across this awesome story of a woman (Breanna Lambert) who turned decluttering into a profitable side hustle — and I had to share how you can do it too. She sold over 470 secondhand items through Poshmark and other platforms, earning nearly $9,000 in profit during her first year. Let’s break down her steps — and how you can follow them!

Step 1: Start with What You Already Own

Breanna kicked things off by cleaning out her home — moms, entrepreneurs, anyone with “stuff,” this is free money waiting. She found items she no longer used and listed them on Poshmark. A few tote bags turned into almost $9K! Pro tip: start decluttering — your untouched items are your first inventory.

Step 2: Learn the Lingo & Join the Community

She dove into the reseller world on Instagram, learned terms like “comps” (comparable sales), and got pricing tips from seasoned sellers Business Insider. This community vibe gave her confidence — and helpful advice for sourcing and listing

Step 3: Sourcing for Profit

Next, she hit thrift stores and Goodwill Outlet (aka “The Bins”). She spent just $2 on a designer shawl and flipped it for $62 — despite a snag! It worked because she knew her comps Business Insider. Scout quality items, check their resale value first, and be ready to negotiate your cost of goods.

Step 4: Simplify Your Listing Process

She learned the hard way: bad photos and pricing mistakes cost her — until tools like Vendoo helped standardize listings and manage inventory across platforms. Don’t stress perfection — good lighting and clear descriptions go a long way. And if you're listing on multiple platforms (eBay, Poshmark, Mercari), consider a tool to sync everything.

Step 5: Track Profit Carefully

She pulled $14,000 in revenue and landed at nearly $9,000 profit — but that didn’t happen without tracking expenses (inventory, fees, boxes, mileage, software). Start simple with a spreadsheet, then upgrade to tools as you grow.

Step 6: Make It a Routine

Her dining table became a staging and photo station. She did sourcing trips mid-morning, and listed while catching a show in the evening. It became a routine hustle, not a chaotic side project — and it showed in her results .

Why This Works—and Why You Should Try It

Flexibility: You choose when to hunt, list, or ship.
Eco-friendly: You're giving items a second life — and preventing waste.
Community: You're joining a supportive group of hustlers.
Entrepreneurial lessons: Pricing, marketing, bookkeeping — learn business basics while you earn.

Your Simple Start Checklist:

Declutter first — find 10–20 items to test your store.
Browse resale groups for pricing comps.
Hit thrift stores (Goodwill Outlet preferred).
Start listing on Poshmark, Mercari, or eBay.
Photograph on a white sheet with good lighting.
Track every cost from fees to shipping to inventory.
Schedule listing time weekly — consistency beats hustle chaos.

Final Encouragement from Kim 💗

This side hustle isn’t “get-rich-quick,” but it is flexible, fun, and profitable — and it can grow fast. Breanna hustled her clutter and earned nearly $9K. You can too! It’s about seeing value where others see trash and treating it like your little business.

Want help setting up your first listings, choosing a platform, or writing product descriptions that sell? I’ve got you — just say the word!