Today, I'd like to introduce you to Sabine Letellier, a petite 1m50, who specializes in online secondhand goods.
I said to my daughter, "Look! This one looks completely crazy! I added, "If one day I start my own company, I'll call it Balizinzin.
Can you start by introducing yourself?
My name is Sabine, I'm 58 years old and I'm 1m50 tall. I'm married, have 3 children and run an online Brocante Instagram account @Balizinzin, with my sister. We mainly hunt for decoration and furniture and then organize saThe in Paris.
Can you tell us about your background?
I started working in the luxury hotel industry after my studies. I quickly stopped a few years later when I became pregnant. One thing led to another and I had other children. And when they were older, I went back into the online second-hand business.
Can you tell us about your business? What does it involve?
We hunt at flea markets, recycling centers and private homes. We often give a second life to objects or crockery by offering them for sale on our @Balizinzin account. The project was the brainchild of my sister Bénédicte. We both love to buy and bargain-hunt, but we don't have the space to keep everything at home. That's where this concept of buying and reselling to benefit others came from. Many people tell us that they don't know how to bargain-hunt, or that they simply don't like it. Our mission is to make a selection for them, and all they have to do is pick and choose. Alongside Instagram, we organize one or two physical saThe a year.
Where does the name Balizinzin come from? And what does it mean?
Balizinzin doesn't evoke the flea market, but rather our history. I was with my family in Bali almost 10 years ago, and it's a place where there are lots of elephants. We saw quite a few, and one kept waving his trunk. I said to my daughter, "Look! That one looks completely crazy! I added, "If one day I have to set up my own company, I'll call it Balizinzin". When my sister and I set up our company, I suggested that name to her. And she immediately said "YES"!
What's it like to work with your family?
It's going well, even though we don't have the same character. Bénédicte is a bit more of a leader than I am, but it's going really well! We share the tasks. She does the hunting and I do the rest: communication, customer service and so on.
What challenges and thrills you about your business?
The most memorable moment was our first sale in Paris. We had a very nice space, which made it easier. We hunted for 6 months to sell everything. Since we weren't well known yet, we publicized the event via social networks and flyers handed out in the street, and surprisingly, it went down really well! What thrills me isfinding the rare pearl for our customers and seeing them marvel at our finds.
How do you see the future of the online second-hand market?
We're totally into the upcycling trend. There are a lot of us doing this now. 5 years ago, we weren't on the market as much. But we each have our own personality, our own style, and I think that's great! I really thinkthere's room for everyone!
Your best addresses for bargain-hunting?
We hunt in the North of France or in Brittany, and sometimes when we go on vacation. When I go bargain hunting in Paris, I mostly go to brocantes, ressourceries, EMMAUS house clearance saThe, etc. I never go online. We never go online.
Finally, a few questions to get to know you better:
Your favorite PASW piece?
Your latest fashion crush?
My latest favorite is a classic: the cashmere sweater. I recently bought one in navy blue. When there's a piece I like, I buy it again every season.
Your everyday outfit?
I'm very jean/sweater. Very simple!
What was the last piece you found?
I found some vintage crockery in Nantes that I love!
Any message you'd like to pass on to all the petites who'll be reading this?
Eat some soup! *laugh*
Thank you very much Sabine!
