FishHawk Resident Opens Online Consignment Shop

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and so it was for Toni Hogan McCafferty of FishHawk Ranch after she was laid off from her 10-year job as an account manager for a health care company.

"I'd been thinking about starting my own business for awhile," she said. "I had this plan in my mind. But when I got laid off, it just kind of speeded things along."

A professed bargain hunter and consignment store diva, McCafferty came up with the idea of starting an online consignment store that would allow residents to buy and sell consignment items without ever setting foot inside a store.

"It's really kind of a new concept," said McCafferty, the busy mom of a 7-year-old and stepmom to two, ages 12 and 14. "I love fashion and I love a bargain. So it just popped into my head to start an online consignment store. From there, I drew up a business plan."

McCafferty isn't new to the consignment trade. "I've been consigning items and shopping at consignment stores for years," she said, "My idea simply allows people to consign items without dragging their stuff to a store and then returning to pick it up if it doesn't sell."

Instead, McCafferty comes to the consigner's home and picks up items to be sold on her online store, FishHawkConsigns. McCafferty then photographs the items and features them on her website and Facebook page. Items are usually prices at 70 percent off what they would cost new in a department store. And, if an item sells, the consigner receives 50 percent of the profits.

McCafferty also makes it easy for the shopper. Residents can shop for women's, men's, boys', girls', toddlers' and infant wear on her site and pay for their purchase through PayPal, cash, debit or credit cards. Then she delivers the item directly to the customer.

"I'll even bring over an item for someone to try on first," said McCafferty, who once worked as a bridal consultant. "I'm a closet fashion consultant. I love to help shoppers pick out clothes and accessorize."

McCafferty, who launched her business Feb. 14, currently has about 800 items on her website spanning all sizes, and posts new items daily. In addition, she sells designer purses and accessories, jewelry and shoes.

"Sales have been going very well," she said. "People enjoy the convenience of shopping from their own home. And if they want something they don't see on my site, they can contact me and I'll try to find it for them."

And her consigners have been pleased because they are able to sell items they no longer want.

"Everybody has something in their closet they either don't wear or have outgrown," said McCafferty. "This allows them to clean out their closets and earn a little extra money."

McCafferty noted that, with the current state of the economy, the consignment industry is booming. "It's the biggest it's ever been," she said.

For people wanting to consign items, McCafferty said she accepts items that are reasonably in style in good condition with no holes or stains. They must be laundered but not necessarily ironed. "I steam everything before I take pictures," she said.

She accepts everything from designer clothing to department store brands, and is willing to travel throughout the Bloomingdale, Lithia, Riverview and Valrico areas to attain consignments.

"They just need to contact me through my website and we'll schedule an appointment," she said.

McCafferty said she's thoroughly enjoying her new career.

"I was blindsided when I was laid off, and was completely devastated," she said. "But my old job required a lot of traveling. This gives me a chance to stay at home with the kids. Maybe getting laid off was a blessing in disguise."

Visit FishHawkConsigns at fishhawkconsigns.com or McCafferty's Facebook page.