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

Hi Lex, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As MadeinTYO said, “I want it so I’ma go get it”. No matter how big or small it may be, if I want to do something, I truly feel like there is no reason for me not to even at 16 years old when my business journey began. I noticed the rising demand for trendy second-hand clothing and the importance of sustainability especially in Los Angeles where culture thrives 10x harder. Then I saw an ad on Instagram promoting a new Flea Market that was seeking out vendors to apply. I had no prior experience and no inventory. Just the want to try something new. So I applied. If other people are creating successful businesses, why can’t I? I love shopping and I love clothes. I grew up going to flea markets and loved those too except for the fact that mostly men’s clothes are sold and not womens. It was in that instant I just did what had to be done. For the women. I went to the bins, created a website, had photoshoots with my girlfriends, and began promoting myself on social media where I gained a following on Tiktok. There was not much thought behind starting my business rather just action and that’s what I think is something to highlight. The following month, the same flea market posted that they needed volunteers and in return, a free vendors spot would be given to them. So I volunteered. The next month I was able to go to the flea, not as a customer as I usually did or as a volunteer but as a vendor selling vintage/2.000’s clothes like Versace, Harley Davidson, True Religion and even trending styles. I continue to sell at pop ups and on my website futurafine.com. I write this as if everything occurred effortlessly but as long as you do what you need to do, things will align. It made me realize I can truly do what I set out to and opened a door for me to pick up other creative jobs. Everything was done by myself financially and creatively due to my own ambition but I still have to thank the immense support from my family and even strangers that kept me going. The ball keeps rolling and my creative aspirations become greater. Next year by 19, I hope to have my own shop and grow my you tube channel and photography clientele.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is called Futura Fine. I sell vintage, Y2K, and designer pieces. Going to flea markets, they have always been male dominated and catered towards them. Surely I’m not the only women who wants to shop sustainably and in the vintage market for more than a graphic tee. So while I do carry unisex pieces, I have everything you can think of for women from your typical clothes/accessories/shoes to rare Japanese brands like Hysteric Glamour and even ’90s deadstock sunglasses. An aspect of my shop is influenced by the 2,000s so I keep cds, sanrio or bratz items and other y2k memorabilia to offer as well.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take a friend to the Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro. But of course we have to pick up some King Taco sopes and horchata before to have a picnic there overlooking the immaculate beach view. Lil Tokyo is another exciting spot of mine to visit that has a heavy culture. There’s a shop called Space City Vintage that is a personal favorite out of many appealing shops there. Continuing the weekend, I would visit The Getty museum or the LA County Arboretum.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A documentary that inspires me is “LA Originals” by Estevan Oriol. I want to photograph dope people and be a music video director amongst other things like him. It truly instilled drive in me to document what I’m doing and do what I love. It also resonates because I believe in having fun while working hard and not picking one or the other. As for people, I’d like to thank Andres Vega, director and creator of 562flea, for giving me my first opportunity to vend at his flea market. Shout out to Lisa for designing my new logo and Angie for being my model. Thank you Victoria Lopez for telling me to open my website up (because I almost didn’t) then continue to support me in various ways. Of course, thank you to my family and friends. But lastly and most importantly, thank you mom, Krystina Rae Sanchez, for raising me to be ambitious, intelligent, independent and so much more like you. As of 2020, she’s no longer with us but I’m grateful every day she raised me to be the woman I am. I do everything for her.

Website: futurafine.com

Instagram: acediner0 & futurafine

Youtube: acediner0

Image Credits
Liah Escobedo (shopping photo)

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