Business Owner Interview with Kylie of Thrifty Chic
Sometimes, the next chapter doesn’t look anything like the one you imagined. And sometimes, that’s where the most meaningful opportunities begin.
For Kylie, that chapter began when she found herself feeling burnt out from healthcare and ready for something different. She never imagined herself as an entrepreneur, but she followed that feeling and eventually found her way to opening Thrifty Chic in Skowhegan.
What she discovered along the way was that she hadn’t left behind the part of her work she loved most – helping people. She had simply found a new way to do it.
A Business With Purpose
When asked to describe entrepreneurship in one word, Kylie shared a phrase that captures her journey perfectly: “It fills her cup.”
Through Thrifty Chic, Kylie has found a way to combine her passion for helping others with her commitment to sustainability. Clothing gets a second life, customers have an opportunity to earn money from items they no longer need, and young people have a place to volunteer, learn, and gain valuable work experience.
For Kylie, those connections are what make the business so rewarding.
Her journey is a reminder that success doesn’t always have to look like a traditional career path. Sometimes, it’s about finding work that feels meaningful and finding new ways to make a difference.
Finding Home in Skowhegan
Having lived in multiple communities throughout Maine, Kylie says Skowhegan stands out for its strong sense of community and commitment to supporting local businesses. Since opening her doors, she has experienced firsthand the generosity and encouragement that define the town.
Customers have become familiar faces, fellow business owners have been welcoming and collaborative, and community members have shown up to support her business in ways both large and small. As she continues to build her business, Kylie is grateful to be part of a town where people genuinely want to see one another succeed.
She has also learned that entrepreneurship comes with an “ebb and flow.” There are seasons of rapid growth, exciting opportunities, and milestones worth celebrating, but there are also quieter periods that require patience, resilience, and trust in the process. Those slower moments have taught her that success isn’t always measured by constant momentum—sometimes it’s built through consistency, adaptability, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when progress feels gradual.
Through every stage of that journey, the unwavering support of her partner has been a constant source of encouragement, helping her navigate both the challenges and the victories with confidence.
A Few Things You Might Not Know
There’s more to Kylie than her business. She was once a Maine Guide, she’s an early bird, and when she’s not working, you’ll most likely find her on an adventure outdoors. Perhaps the most inspiring part of Kylie’s story is that she didn’t have entrepreneurship all figured out from the beginning.
She simply knew she wanted something different – and she was willing to follow that feeling.
Today, Thrifty Chic gives her the opportunity to support others, build community, encourage sustainability, and watch young people grow.
What began as a search for a new direction has become something much bigger: a business that allows Kylie to continue doing what she’s always loved – making a difference in the lives of others.
And maybe that’s the real beauty of entrepreneurship. You don’t always have to know exactly where you’re going. Sometimes, you just have to be willing to take the next step.
