Today we’d like to introduce you to Fia Thomas.
Hi Fia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Fia’s Fabulous Finds was born from a lifelong love of resale, sustainability, and community.
I am originally from California, and my first introduction to the resale business began as a young girl. My parents purchased storage units through auctions when owners failed to pay for them, and together as a family we would sort, clean, and sell those items at local flea markets. That experience taught me the value of hard work, entrepreneurship, and sustainability long before those concepts became mainstream.
As I grew older, I naturally fell in love with treasure hunting—spending weekends at flea markets, yard sales, estate sales, vintage shops, and thrift stores. Initially, I shopped for myself, my husband, and my daughter, but over time I began curating beautiful, high-quality pieces for others as well. I found joy in discovering special items, regardless of size or trend, simply because they were well-made, stylish, and deserving of a second life.
What began as a passion slowly became a vision.
I started opening my dining room every Sunday to neighbors and friends, transforming my home into a small curated shopping experience complete with wine, conversation, and racks of thoughtfully selected thrifted treasures. What started as a small gathering quickly grew into something much bigger. After about eight months, the response was overwhelming, and the community that formed around those Sunday shopping events continued to grow.
My husband eventually said what I had begun to realize myself: it was time to take this dream beyond our home.
While walking along Upshur Street, just a few blocks from where we lived, we discovered a storefront that needed significant work but had tremendous potential. I met my landlord, Miss Lilly, and asked her to take a chance on me—and she did. With determination, creativity, and hard work, we transformed the space, and about five months later, Fia’s Fabulous Finds officially opened its doors.
Today, Fia’s Fabulous Finds has proudly served the community on Upshur Street for nearly 13 years. More than just a thrift store, Fia’s is a curated shopping destination rooted in sustainability, affordability, and community connection. We specialize in giving high-quality clothing, accessories, home goods, and unique treasures a second life while creating an inclusive space where people from all walks of life can discover something beautiful and affordable.
At its heart, Fia’s Fabulous Finds is about creating opportunity—opportunity for great fashion to live again, for families to shop affordably, for resellers and entrepreneurs to thrive, and for a neighborhood business to bring people together.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like many small businesses, staying open for nearly 13 years has come with tremendous challenges, but none compared to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When COVID hit and businesses throughout Upshur Street began shutting down, my husband Frank and I truly did not know what to do. About a month after restaurants and shops in our neighborhood closed, we made the heartbreaking decision that it might be time to close Fia’s Fabulous Finds. We simply did not see how we could continue to pay rent, purchase inventory, and sell enough merchandise to survive in an environment where customers could no longer shop in person.
During that difficult time, I spoke with a friend who owned a thrift store, and she asked me a simple question: “How are your Facebook Live sales going?” I remember asking her, “What is a Facebook Live sale?”
That conversation changed everything.
She walked me through how to stream live on Facebook and showcase inventory virtually, allowing people to shop from home—even outside of the Washington, DC area. Determined to try anything to save our business, I bought a tripod and used my iPad to curate about 40 items for my very first live sale.
I sent a message to family and a few close friends and scheduled my first Facebook Live shopping event on our business page. The first show had just 12 viewers—mostly my mother, cousins, and a few loyal friends—and we made about $90. The next show brought 17 viewers. By the end of the month, nearly 35 people were consistently tuning in to shop my curated finds live from the store.
What began as a survival strategy quickly became a lifeline.
Through Facebook Live sales, we expanded our reach far beyond our neighborhood, shipping curated thrift finds across the United States and introducing people to Fia’s Fabulous Finds who otherwise never would have discovered us. That pivot into virtual selling ultimately saved our business during one of the hardest economic periods small businesses have faced.
Today, live selling remains an important part of our success and an example of our willingness to adapt, innovate, and meet customers where they are.
That said, running a small business continues to bring daily challenges. Rising rent, increasing insurance costs, limited resources, sourcing quality inventory, and maintaining affordable prices while still earning a profit are realities we navigate every day. We are a true family business—just myself, my husband Frank, and one assistant, with our two daughters helping whenever they can.
The truth is that every day comes with a level of uncertainty. Like many small business owners, I wake up wondering, “How will we make today happen?” Economic conditions, shifts in consumer spending, inflation, and even government shutdowns in the Washington, DC region directly impact businesses like ours.
Yet despite every challenge, we continue forward.
The philosophy Frank and I live by is simple: we take it one hour at a time. Through perseverance, creativity, and community support, we have continued to grow, evolve, and serve our neighborhood while staying committed to affordability, sustainability, and giving beautiful items a second life.
As you know, we’re big fans of Fia’s Fabulous Finds. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Fia’s Fabulous Finds is more than just a thrift store—it is a place that many people call home.
From the very beginning, I intentionally created a space where everyone could feel seen, welcomed, and represented. I have thoughtfully curated the store with every type of person in mind: someone who wears an extra small, someone who wears a 3X, someone petite, someone tall, someone shopping for their first apartment, someone with a bold, quirky style, someone preparing for a first date, or someone searching for the perfect outfit for a job interview.
At Fia’s Fabulous Finds, I want everyone to feel like they belong.
Sometimes people come into the store and do not purchase anything at all—and that is okay. Sometimes they simply come to fellowship, talk, laugh, or “shoot the breeze.” Over the years, the store has become a safe and welcoming place where relationships are built, stories are shared, and community happens naturally.
Beyond serving shoppers, Fia’s is also deeply committed to supporting other small businesses and creatives.
I understand firsthand how difficult it can be to afford a brick-and-mortar location, especially for entrepreneurs who are just starting out. Because of that, we regularly welcome local vendors into the store to host complimentary pop-up opportunities. Whether someone sells candles, clothing, handmade products, or specialty items, we provide them with a space to showcase their work, connect with customers, and grow their businesses—free of charge.
Likewise, local artists are invited to display their artwork on our walls at no cost in hopes of helping them gain visibility and make sales. Supporting creativity and entrepreneurship is an extension of the same support that was once given to me.
What I have learned over nearly 13 years in business is this: Fia’s cannot thrive without partnerships and community.
My success has been built on the people who have supported me, encouraged me, collaborated with me, and shown up for this business during difficult times. In return, I believe deeply in helping others grow whenever possible.
That philosophy continues to shape how we operate today. I truly believe that no one succeeds alone. Community, collaboration, and generosity are not just values at Fia’s Fabulous Finds—they are the foundation of who we are and how we continue to grow.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, my greatest hope is simple: that Fia’s Fabulous Finds continues to keep its doors open and remain a meaningful part of our community.
I hope we are still able to provide beautiful, high-quality items at economical prices while continuing to operate through a sustainable business model that encourages reuse and gives products a second life. In a world where the cost of living continues to rise, affordability and accessibility remain deeply important to me and to the customers we serve.
Like many small businesses, we continue to face challenges related to increasing inventory costs, rising rent, insurance expenses, and the growing cost of doing business. My hope is that we are able to successfully navigate these challenges while maintaining the quality, affordability, and community-centered atmosphere that has made Fia’s special for nearly 13 years.
I also envision a stronger, more vibrant business corridor on Upshur Street—one filled with thriving retail stores, restaurants, and entrepreneurs working together to strengthen our neighborhood. Small businesses cannot survive in isolation, and increased foot traffic, collaboration, and cross-promotion are essential to our collective success. I hope to continue building meaningful partnerships with neighboring businesses and vendors so that we can support one another through shared customers, collaborative events, and mutual growth.
Another important part of Fia’s future is continuing to expand opportunities for local vendors, artists, and small business owners to collaborate with us. I believe deeply in community over competition, and I hope Fia’s can continue to serve as a platform where entrepreneurs can test ideas, gain visibility, and grow alongside us.
On a personal level, one of my biggest goals is to one day work at Fia’s Fabulous Finds full-time. Currently, I balance operating the store while also maintaining a full-time career, which requires tremendous sacrifice, long hours, and dedication. My hope is that through continued growth and stability, Fia’s will eventually allow me to devote myself fully to the business and the community that has supported it for so many years.
Above all, my vision for the future is sustainability—not only in the products we sell, but in the business itself: a business that continues to grow thoughtfully, support community, uplift other entrepreneurs, and remain a welcoming place where everyone feels they belong.
Pricing:
- 2 for $5 area
- Designer items 60% off retail rate
- Average price $10.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.fiasfabulousfinds.com
- Instagram: @fabulousfindsbyfia
- Facebook: @fabulousfindsbyfia
