Meet Hellen Moffitt | Owner, Thrift Pony

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hellen Moffitt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hellen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I originally wanted to create something like a community closet. My first business idea was a local clothing rental service called Ponybox that I started in 2020, where people could rent cute, casual outfits for the weekend, and we’d handle local delivery. While that model didn’t quite work out, it led me to pivot toward a consignment store concept, which eventually became Thrift Pony.

The inspiration behind both ideas was the same – I wanted to recreate the feeling of shopping in your friends’ closets before a night out in college. It was about adding variety to your wardrobe in a fun, affordable, and sustainable way. Even though Thrift Pony looks quite different from my original vision, it still captures that spirit.

What should our readers know about your business?
Thrift Pony is a secondhand clothing store, but it’s also much more than that—it’s a community hub and a true third space. We host events almost every week, from comedy shows and live music to vintage markets, craft nights, and themed shopping events inspired by upcoming concerts. (We actually have a Cowboy Carter night planned for tomorrow!) That strong sense of community is what truly sets us apart and is what I’m most proud of.

All of our inventory comes in on consignment from local people, which means our community not only gets to shop sustainably but also earns money from clothes they no longer wear. Inventory is one of our biggest expenses, so it feels great knowing that money is going right back into the hands of people in our city.

Getting to this point definitely wasn’t easy. Thrift Pony actually started as a clothing rental company, but after two years of struggling to make the model work, and running out of money, I decided to pivot. I had built a loyal following on social media from the rental business, and when I hosted a big consignment sale, it completely took off. Two months later, I opened the store. It was amazing to finally see something I had poured years of time, energy, and personal savings into finally gain traction.

Social media played a huge role in our growth. I’ve posted consistently on Instagram and TikTok for the past four years, sharing the behind-the-scenes and building a brand that people connect with.

At its heart, Thrift Pony is about recreating that feeling of shopping in your best friend’s closet before a night out in college – fun, accessible, and full of possibilities. Our mission has always been to make finding cute outfits easier, more affordable, and more sustainable. We want shopping secondhand to feel like a party that everyone wants to be at. Fun and community are truly at the core of everything we do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to visit, we’d definitely hit up Thrift Pony first. Then probably grab coffee at People’s Market, dig for vintage finds at Sleepy Poet, and get outside at the Whitewater Center or one of the parks. We’d do a yoga class at Coterie, then catch live music at Petra’s or Snug Harbor. Charlotte has the best mix of chill spots, fun nightlife, and cool local gems.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to a few key people and sources of inspiration that played a huge role in my journey. First and foremost, my parents who have always supported my creativity and encouraged me to pursue my crazy ideas. I’m also incredibly grateful to my boyfriend Alex and my roommate, Katie. When I was just starting out during COVID, they were the only two people I interacted with regularly. Their support during those early, uncertain days was absolutely crucial.

Beyond that, I leaned heavily on podcasts for guidance and motivation, especially Barbara Corcoran’s podcast, where small business owners would call in for advice. I actually called in myself once and got on the show! The advice she gave me was truly invaluable. Lastly, I owe a lot to the dozens of small businesses I followed on TikTok. Hearing their stories and seeing their day-to-day hustle helped me realize that starting something of my own was actually possible.

Website: https://thriftpony.com

Instagram: thriftponyclt

Other: tiktok: thriftpony

Image Credits
Claire Lucas