Skip to content

Clothes Mentor Franchise Tops $1 Million in Sales Before August 1

For Immediate Release
Matt DeMargel
919.459.8164
[email protected]

Clothes Mentor Franchise Tops $1 Million in Sales Before August 1

Fargo, North Dakota, location becomes first franchise in the brand’s 11-year franchise history to top seven figures by the end of July

(MINNETONKA, Minn.) – Clothes Mentor, a national women’s resale clothing franchise headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is celebrating its first franchise unit to top $1 million in sales before the end of July. The feat was accomplished by its Fargo, North Dakota, store, which surpassed the mark on July 28, 2018.

“It’s really an impressive milestone.” Chad Olson, Chief Operating Officer of Clothes Mentor’s parent firm, NTY Franchise Company, said. “The Fargo franchise has been one of our most impressive franchises since opening in 2010, and we have every reason to believe in their continued success.”

Clothes Mentor of Fargo has generated double-digit growth in five of the eight years it’s been in operation, spurring two expansions over that time. The 6,700 square foot store located at 2551 45th Street South, not only became the first of 146 franchise units to cross the million-dollar threshold this early, but they’ve also purchased more than $376,065 worth of clothing from local women this year.

Franchise Owner Christine Ilvedson, the 2017 recipient of NTY Franchise Company’s President’s Award, attributes her store’s success to the unwavering support of her local community.

“We are very fortunate to be in such a great community that is so supportive of small business. Fargo has such a friendly business environment and we are grateful to have such a wonderful and loyal customer base,” Ilvedson said. “I also credit our store’s success to the staff and management team. They work hard every day and keep everything running as smoothly as possible.”

Resale franchises are enjoying a $17 billion boom that began during the great recession and continues today as consumers flock to stores like Clothes Mentor to buy and sell their gently-used women’s fashion. Since 2017, Clothes Mentor has successfully recycled more than 42 million items of mall-brand and designer clothing and paid women more than $180 million for their gently-used items.

To learn more about Clothes Mentor, visit www.clothesmentor.com.

To learn more about franchising opportunities for Clothes Mentor, visit www.ntyfranchise.com/clothes-mentor.

###

About Clothes Mentor

Clothes Mentor started with two existing locations in 2006 and began expanding the brand the same year. As of January 2018, the company has 146 stores in 42 states with many more in development. Clothes Mentor is a resale-based women’s designer fashion brand known as being cutting-edge in both high-end designer fashion and technology. The company buys and sells like-new apparel, shoes, and accessories for all women, sizes 0–26, petites, and maternity. The inventory comes from the same customers who shop in the store, and sellers are offered cash on-the-spot or credit toward a new purchase. With stores throughout the United States, each store serves its local community in both buying and selling gently-used, designer clothing, shoes, boots, handbags, jewelry, and other accessories.

About NTY Franchise Company

Founded in 2006 by Ron Olson, NTY Franchise Company is the gold standard in resale franchising companies. NTY franchises five brands, all with a different focus: Clothes Mentor, Children’s Orchard, Device Pitstop, New Uses, and NTY Clothing Exchange. The brands are all resale-based and cover women’s designer fashions, children’s apparel and accessories, furniture and household goods, electronic sales and repair, and clothing for teens and young adults. All are great business opportunities with cutting-edge technology, unmatched support, and lucrative resale franchises. NTY Franchise Company has helped individuals to establish resale stores throughout the United States in many communities, and it has territories available to develop nationwide. Learn more at www.ntyfranchise.com.

Ronald G. Olson

President

Ron Olson has been President and a Director of NTY Franchise Company since October 2006. Ron’s background included starting his career at Dayton’s Department Store, where he held many management positions. In 1977 he opened his own furniture store in Minnesota, which was a Drexel Heritage prototype store. In 1988 he co-founded Grow Biz International, now called Winmark. The first franchise rights that Olson purchased and started marketing was Play It Again Sports. Olson continued buying the Franchise rights for Once Upon A Child, Plato’s Closet, and Music Go Round. Today there over 1,000 Franchise locations.

Under NTY Franchise Company, the franchise rights were bought for Clothes Mentor and New Uses. In 2013 Olson bought Laptop Exchange and changed the name to Device Pitstop. In 2014 the company opened NTY Clothing Exchange and NTY Kids, now Children’s Orchard. There are currently 204 stores sold and 133 stores opened under the NTY Franchise umbrella.

Chad Olson

Chief Operations Officer

Chad Olson has been Chief Operations Officer of NTY Franchise Company since January 2007. From May 1994 to December 2006, he held various positions for Winmark Corporation (f/k/a Grow Biz International, Inc.), including Field Operations Manager for the Once Upon a Child concept from 1999 to 2002, and Regional Operations Manager for the Plato’s Closet concept from 2002 to 2006.

Sarah Primmer

Vice President of Finance & Human Resources

Sarah Primmer is the Vice President of Finance and Human Resources for NTY Franchise Company. She joined the company in January 2014. Prior to joining NTY, Sarah spent over 25 years as the controller and business manager of a local sales and marketing firm calling on Target stores.

Michael D. Smith

Vice President of Strategic Planning

Michael D. Smith has held numerous roles with NTY Franchise since 2010. He is currently the Vice President of Franchise Development and Strategic Planning. From December 2000 to July 2010, Michael held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of the franchise company Laptop Xchange. From June 1994 to December 2000, Michael held numerous roles within the Grow Biz International brands of Play It Again Sports and Computer Renaissance. These roles included Corporate Store Management, Field Operation Specialist, and Franchisee.

Jenny Mann

Vice President of Operations | Executive Director of IT

Jenny Mann is the Senior Vice President Clothes Mentor and Children’s Orchard. In February of 2024, Jenny took on her current role overseeing IT, Marketing and the e-commerce platforms for both brands. Prior to this, Jenny was the Director of Marketing for NTY Franchise Company since January 2013. Jenny started with the NTY Franchise Company in 2008 with Clothes Mentor and has held many roles, including; Store Manager, New Store Opener, and Regional Operations Manager. Before joining NTY Franchise Company, Jenny worked for Old Navy (Gap, Inc.) and Target in management roles.

Michelle Vaudrin

Senior Director of Operations

Michelle Vaudrin is the Senior Director of Operations for Clothes Mentor and Children’s Orchard. Prior to joining NTY Franchise Company in March 2016, she worked in leadership roles for Burlington, American Eagle and Macy’s. Michelle attended University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Retail Merchandising and Business Administration. She brings extensive background in training of strategies, merchandising, customer service and multi-unit store operations to the team.

Ashley Huebner

Director of Marketing

Ashley Huebner oversees NTY Franchise Company’s marketing and advertising efforts to drive sales, build brand awareness and lead the planning on how to effectively market both brands. She leads creative initiatives for NTY Franchise Company, driving the brands’ vision in aesthetics, tone, and trends to elevate our brand position as a leader in the resale category. Ashley joined the Clothes Mentor team in March of 2015. Ashley has 8+ years of Graphic Design experience. Ashley holds a strong background in design, user experience, and a passion for creativity. She holds a BA degree in Advertising and Art.

Jessica Fix

Franchise Contract and Office Administrator

Jessica Fix is the Franchise Contracts and Office Administrator for NTY Franchise Company. She started with the company in January of 2018. Jessica works alongside the Franchise Development Team and provides office support to the headquarter office. She has 20 years in the franchise industry, previously working for Carlson Leisure Group/Travel Leaders Franchise Group in a variety of roles, such as Database Coordinator, Legal Contract Administrator, and Executive Assistant to the Franchise Sales Team.