Meet Nina Corella | Curvy Gal Closet Founder & Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nina Corella and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
So I actually had this business idea in college around 2011 in one of my classes our final was to create a business and we had to write the business plan, create a budget, a logo, pricing ranges, and products we would carry, and even use the classrooms to create a pop-up shop of what our shop would look like and type of atmosphere we wanted to give off to our customers. I wanted to create a business that I felt was missing in the fashion industry, being a plus-size woman it is hard to find trendy, affordable clothing and accessories, even from experience going to consignment shops there wasn’t much of an area dedicated to plus size clothing and being a college student at that time money was tight.

So second-hand stores were where I would turn to, I rarely ever found anything, so often it would make me feel bad about myself and ashamed of my body because I was not being represented in the general market. Everyone is shaped differently no one should ever feel left out, or to be feeling bad about their bodies. So I knew my business was to cater to stylish, frugal savvy plus-size women by providing trendy, staple items of accessories and clothing, new, nearly new, and gently used clothing at an affordable price. Creating an inviting and fun community. Eighteen26+ was what I called it before Curvy Gal Closet, that name was representing the type of sizes we would carry for plus-size clothing.

I believe I got a pretty good grade on it, my professor at the time even told me this is a great idea you should really see this through. It was always in the back of my mind since then, but I didn’t really start to focus more on it until 2021. Now I am really focusing on my online shops, social media content, and eventually opening up a shop in the near future.

What should our readers know about your business?
Curvy Gal Closet is not your original resale shop we are an online plus-size resale shop carrying affordable, trendy & recycled clothing and accessories.

Recently CGC sold at a swap meet event for the very first time and we had a great turn out a lot of women were excited that I had stylish clothing for bigger sizes for a great price and even asked me about style advice and how to wear certain items. It was great to see what it would be like when actually opening a shop and a little bit of what to expect. Since we did so great at this event I recently am signing up to attend others to get Curvy Gal Closet brand awareness.

12 years ago this started just as a class project, and now it is becoming my career as a business owner. It does take dedication, discipline, and supportive family and friends to help you build a business and I am grateful that I have that. I officially started Curvy Gal Closet I knew I wanted it to be online just the cheaper choice so I created my own website and that didn’t go too well, many people won’t trust an unknown site without any feedback from other buyers or their friends. Then I tried eBay but didn’t like the look of it, I tried the Facebook marketplace, which didn’t have the features I wanted, Then came across Poshmark and it was just what I was looking for, built a customer base very quickly. So it was a trial and error finding the right platform for CGC online shop, but once I did it has been great ever since. Created my Instagram, I try to post often as I can, and started to do live sales videos and slowly getting into making Tik Tok content but great things take time. I would like to one day open up a shop, put on fun events and hire staff to work with. Curvy Gal Closet is only getting started, we have a lot more growing to do. If you would like to be a part of Curvy Gal Closet community follow and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and visit curvygalcloset.com to view our shop.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my professor Arthur Tsai for those inspiring words, and my dad for helping me set up and take down at events. My fiance Shawn for always motivating and believing in me and mailing out my packages. My friends, Alexis, Ilene, Jeanette, and Ellie for modeling, taking pictures, giving me advice, and feedback, and encouraging me. Last but not least shout out to all my family and friends who have continued to support my business through simple social media “like” “follow” or comment, to purchasing items, and donating items.

Website: https://www.curvygalcloset.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curvygalcloset/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CurvyGalCloset

Other: Poshmark https://poshmark.com/closet/curvygalclosets

Image Credits
Taken by Nina Corella & AlexisChiquete-Nunoz Model Jeanette Saavedra