Edit Values Community Highlights: Meet Sandy McDonell of Deep Closets

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy McDonell. 

Hi Sandy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I grew up in my Mom’s Alteration shop in Okemos, Alteration & More, and I graduated in 2004 from Michigan State University with a BS in Apparel & Textile Design. I enjoy fashion and wanted to use my retail/inventory background as well. When life events happened, I wanted a change of direction and pursue something I was really passionate about. I loved growing up in a family business and wanted the same for my girls. 

My mother, Mui Luc, immigrated from Vietnam in 1978, worked for Michigan State University for 26 and a half years with the MSU Theater’s Costume Department. While at MSU, she did clothing alterations out of our house, and when she retired from MSU, she opened her Alteration shop in Okemos. 

I’ve lived in Holt for over a decade and my mom moved here from East Lansing when I had my first daughter and we wanted our business near home and we love the community! 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It is not easy to be an entrepreneur, we learned after we signed the lease that we needed a Special Use Permit with Delhi Township for the consignment portion of our business. It was nerve-wracking hoping that you filled out the paperwork correctly and in a timely manner! The township was very helpful in answering all our questions to fill out on the forms and the we had support from the board so it our permit was approved but scary to wait for when rent is due! We ended up bringing in new merchandise from department stores, home, and gift merchandise made locally, and from other women-owned businesses, so we had to shift gears in the beginning and now we are just trying to get the word out! 

Another hiccup was getting our Store Sign too! Post Covid there was just delays in material but the sign company was great in getting us our sign as soon as they could! 

We get new customers daily, try to have a social media presence, and engage the community! I think spreading the word has been the hardest part! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
People to shop and find clothing at a reasonable price. Consigned clothing is win-win! You can save money on gently used clothing and it’s a place you can bring your items you no longer wear! By offering clothing alterations we can bring life back to clothing that you love to wear, whether it’s a zipper replacement or taking in or letting out you get more use out of a loved garment. 

We offer a fast turnaround time for alterations, about 1 week. And I plan on working with Domestic Violence/Abuse survivors to donate clothing items if we were not able to sell them in the store. Since we are new, I haven’t gotten there yet, but as we are reaching the end of our season, we are closer to doing that! 

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
To keep trying and not let it get too overwhelming! Starting over in life and changing your career path is possible and I am happy to do it! 

Pricing:

• Basic Pant Hems start at $9
• Taking in starts at $12
• Shortening Jacket Sleeves with buttons $25
• Formal Dress Hems start at $40
• Our consignment split is 60% store/40%consignee

Contact Info:

• Website: www.deepclosets.com
• Instagram: @deepclosetsconsignments
• Facebook: @deepclosets