Hey there! Step into the world of Year of the Rat (YOTR), my little passion project that's blossomed into a thriving virtual boutique offering a carefully curated selection of sold-out, archived, vintage, and contemporary designer pieces, with a strong focus on promoting more sustainable practices and empowering self-expression, alongside an underground online bookstore specializing in rare, vintage, and out-of-print titles... The very name, Year of the Rat, is inspired by my own Chinese zodiac sign, adding a personal touch to the brand's foundation. This distinctive identity is further reinforced by our signature brand colors, bold yellow and classic black, which you'll find woven into every aspect of our packaging, creating a consistent visual experience from our online presence to the moment your YOTR treasures arrive.

This collage is a little window into the treasures you'll find at YOTR. You might spot some seriously special pieces, like those dreamy vintage Dior heels and a rad vintage Diesel bag (both waiting for their next adventure in the boutique!), right alongside a first edition book that whispers tales from our bookstore's shelves. Sourcing these gems – whether a rare designer find or an out-of-print book – isn't just about finding cool stuff; it's about uncovering stories and sharing them with you. And speaking of sharing my love for style and helping you express yourself authentically, I also offer personal styling sessions to help you unlock your own unique look.

My journey to YOTR has been a winding one, from the energy of the classroom as a teacher to the quiet magic of the library. Both those chapters fueled my love for digging into the past, uncovering fascinating histories, and sharing that knowledge with others. That's the spirit you'll find woven into every carefully chosen item at YOTR, emphasizing both enduring style and a growing commitment to conscious consumption.

For me, building this community is everything. You'll find YOTR hanging out on Instagram, Facebook, and even getting its groove on with TikTok (thanks to some awesome ideas!). I also love connecting with fellow creatives and sharing the YOTR love through good old-fashioned word-of-mouth and even a little QR code surprise out in the world. Seriously though, the energy and ideas from everyone who connects with YOTR – especially the vibrant perspectives from the community around me – are what make it tick and keep things interesting. Plus, behind the scenes, I'm all about making your YOTR experience smooth, from our little corner of the web for books to making sure the boutique's finds are easy to discover wherever you love to shop (big shoutout to Vendoo for that!).

Ultimately, YOTR is a blend of everything I'm passionate about: fashion that tells a story, films that spark imagination, and a bit of that rebellious counterculture spirit. I'm excited to see where this journey takes me and to connect with more incredible people along the way. If you dig the vibe, I'd love to hear from you!

Key Skills Demonstrated:

• Brand & Identity-

  ✰ Brand Color Palette Development & Application

  ✰ Brand Identity & Voice

  ✰ Branded Packaging Design & Implementation

• Content Creation & Strategy-

  ✰ A/B Testing & Analysis

  ✰ Audience Feedback Integration (Content Tailoring)

  ✰ Canva for Collage Creation & Design

  ✰ Content Direction (TikTok)

  ✰ Digital Content Creation

  ✰ E-commerce Content Creation

  ✰ Educational Content Creation

  ✰ Social Media Content Creation (for Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest)

  ✰ TikTok Content Ideation & Strategy

  ✰ Visual Merchandising

  ✰ Visual Storytelling

• Community Building & Engagement-

  ✰ Community Building (Social Media)

  ✰ Engaging Diverse Audiences

  ✰ Engaging Gen Z Students in Marketing Initiatives

  ✰ Influencer Marketing & Networking

  ✰ Offline Community Building (QR Code Tagging)

  ✰ Organic Community Building (Word-of-Mouth Marketing)

  ✰ Partnership Development

• E-commerce & Sales Management-

  ✰ Cross-Listing Management via Vendoo to: Vestiaire Collective, Mercari, Poshmark, Vinted, eBay, Grailed, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, Shopify

  ✰ Excel for Financial Tracking and Pricing

  ✰ Primary Sales Platform: Depop

  ✰ Squarespace Website Management (e-commerce functionality)

  ✰ Website Development & Management

• Marketing & Analysis-

  ✰ Competitive Analysis

  ✰ Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc.) for Business Operations

  ✰ Marketing Analytics

  ✰ Pinterest Marketing

  ✰ Sticker Design & Production for Marketing

• Personal Skills-

  ✰ Clear Communication

  ✰ Collaborative Marketing Strategy

  ✰ Passion for Fashion, Film, Counterculture

• Sourcing & Curation-

  ✰ Aesthetic Curation

  ✰ Identifying Emerging Trends

  ✰ Research & Trend Analysis

  ✰ Sourcing Rare & Vintage Items

  ✰ Strategic Inventory Curation

• Styling-

  ✰ Personal Styling Services

  ✰ Style Development

  ✰ Wardrobe Consultation

• Target Audience Understanding-

  ✰ Niche Market Engagement

  ✰ Target Audience Understanding

  ✰ Understanding of "Cool Girl Cult" Demographic