A Business Model Whose Time has Come
A Consignment Shop for Educators in Cleveland Ohio introduces a great model for cost saving and Entrepreneurs.
In times like now, where inflation is running high. Monica Grays, owner of the 2nd Semester Consignment Shop in Ohio, has made it her business to help out.
“For the past 20 years, I have served Cleveland’s kids as an educator. During that time, I devoted a lot of energy and my own personal funds to create the perfect classroom culture and environment. As a teacher, I cherish the resources I put into my classroom. But…what happens when those resources are no longer needed in your classroom?”
Her consignment store sells second-hand school supplies at reduced prices. Grays, a Cleveland teacher of 25 years. Following her husband’s suggestion to bring some of her teaching supplies to a consignment shop sparked her business venture.
2nd Semester Consignment Shop was birthed after the cumbersome task of having to pack and move my classroom’s valuables several times within a short period of time. I was challenged to condense over 20 years’ worth of educational resources into a smaller classroom setting, It occurred to me that other teachers may be experiencing similar situations. It was extremely challenging to find a good home for my vast investment of educational supplies and materials.
“I’d never heard of consignment for educators,” she said. “So, [my husband] said, ‘Well, let’s open one.’ “After doing some research, Grays discovered there weren’t any other consignment shops of the kind that the couple were envisioning. Three months later, 2nd Semester Consignment in Cleveland was born — and it has now been up and running for about six years.
Veronica Garcia Uchino, a mother of two girls and a 2nd Semester Consignment customer, considered the store to be a “blessing” to her family.
“The prices are so affordable,” she said. “The teachers are amazing.”
Cleveland teacher and 2nd Semester Consignment tutor Shawn Smith chimed in, explaining that tutoring services are available for kids who need individual help. Or who might need gaps filled that were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. “That’s why we’re here,” he said. Second-hand school supplies are available for purchase online at 2ndsemestershop. Tutoring sessions can also be booked online.
This model may not be limited to just educator school supplies. But can run across industries to consignment opportunities. Opportunities create opportunities.