Prism Thrift: Redefining Style, One Upcycled Piece at a Time
Sharp Shopper helps make the Great Social Enterprise Pitch possible, uplifting small businesses like Prism Thrift.
At the 2024 Great Social Enterprise Pitch, Kate Farbo and Prism Thrift took home first place for their bold reimagining of what a thrift store can be. Through hands-on workshops, upcycled clothing, and circular economy practices, Prism Thrift is proving that retail can be creative, sustainable, and deeply community-focused.
Why They Started
Kate launched Prism Thrift to address two problems she couldn’t ignore, the environmental impact of fast fashion and the lack of inclusive, creative spaces in retail. She envisioned a store that not only diverted clothing from landfills but also empowered people to see fashion as an act of expression, sustainability, and care for the planet.
What They’re Building
Prism Thrift is more than a secondhand shop. It’s a hub for community creativity, offering upcycled fashion pieces, skill-building workshops, and events that teach people how to mend, repurpose, and reimagine clothing. Since opening, Prism Thrift has diverted over 8,500 items from the landfill and continues to explore new ways to make sustainable fashion accessible and engaging.
ASSETS’ Role
Through the ASSETS Idea Incubator, Kate refined her business model and built systems to support both the retail and educational sides of Prism Thrift. The program gave her the structure to scale her vision while staying true to her mission of environmental stewardship and community connection.
Looking Ahead
Since the Pitch, Kate has expanded Prism Thrift’s offerings and strengthened its operations. Her goal is to continue growing the store’s impact, increase the number of items diverted from landfills, and inspire even more people to embrace sustainable fashion as a lifestyle.
Want to Support?
Visit www.prismthrift.org to shop sustainably, learn about upcoming workshops, and see how you can be part of the movement. And don’t miss the 2025 Great Social Enterprise Pitch on September 4th, where this year’s entrepreneurs will share their own bold visions for a better world.
Find Prism Thrift on Instagram and Facebook
