In this episode of Behind the Business, host Gordie Tamayo sits down with two rising stars in the vintage clothing world—Cooper Jones of CJs Vintage Vault and Russel Bills of The Vintage Vault and Cache Valley Vintage Market.
These young entrepreneurs are building real revenue and real communities by blending digital platforms like Whatnot with physical vintage markets across Utah.
Discover how they got started, what tools they use to scale, and how the next generation is rewriting the rules of retail.
👕 Whether you’re a vintage clothing enthusiast or an aspiring reseller, this is your playbook for turning passion into profit.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories from modern entrepreneurs reshaping their industries.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Why vintage is booming and who’s leading the charge
01:00 – Meet Cooper Jones: Building CJ Vintage Vault
02:00 – The 2-year full-time hustle: Finding the right platform
03:00 – Russel’s entrepreneurial roots & discovering vintage value
04:00 – Turning dad’s old Jordans into a business spark
05:00 – Early challenges in sourcing and pricing
06:00 – Why Whatnot became a game-changer for live selling
07:00 – Cooper on standing out in a saturated market
08:00 – The role of content, branding, and backdrop strategy
09:00 – Russel’s vision for the Cache Valley Vintage Market
10:00 – Community-first business: Building loyalty offline
11:00 – What makes a great vintage seller today?
12:00 – Favorite finds and best-sellers from the vault
13:00 – Strategies for consistency and inventory flow
14:00 – Monetizing nostalgia through storytelling
15:00 – The future of vintage retail: Hybrid online/offline
16:00 – Lessons learned: Mistakes, pivots, and progress
17:00 – Entrepreneur mindset: Building before you're ready
18:00 – Advice to new resellers and creators
19:00 – Cooper’s personal framework for growth
20:00 – The importance of hustle and daily habits
21:00 – Live selling tips and show structure on Whatnot
22:00 – How vintage culture bridges generations
23:00 – Building brand presence in a crowded niche
24:00 – Russel on managing pop-ups and vendor networks
25:00 – The art of the flip: When to hold vs. when to sell
26:00 – Trust, curation, and why details matter
27:00 – Final thoughts on youth-led commerce
28:00 – Where to follow Cooper and Russel
29:00 – Outro: The vintage hustle isn't slowing down
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