Overview
Running a consignment store is an enormous undertaking—especially for a first-time shop owner. For Emily Bostian, owner of Jolliffe’s, the journey into retail wasn’t planned. But with community support, a well-timed opportunity, and the right technology, Jolliffe’s has quickly grown into a beloved consignment destination in Beaverton, Oregon.
A New Career Built on Accessibility and Flexibility
Emily always knew she wanted fulfilling work, but her chronic illness, POTS, made it difficult to imagine a traditional job that could accommodate her needs. As she explains, “My experience is that the world is not set-up for people with sensory sensitivities or chronic pain.”
When her daughter prepared to start kindergarten, friends asked when she would return to work. “‘Back to paid work,’ I would admonish them, with a smile.” But even with the desire to rejoin the workforce, finding the right role felt impossible.
Then came the unexpected opening: a shop closing a secondary location and looking for someone to take over an 18-month lease. With guidance from mentor and friend Tina Donnaloia, owner of Hoot-n-Annie in Portland, Emily stepped into the opportunity.
A few months later, Jolliffe’s officially opened its doors.
Starting a Business From Scratch—With a Steep Learning Curve
Launching a retail store was no small task for a first-time owner. Emily had to learn everything: inventory management, vendor relations, pricing, reporting, and day-to-day operations.
But one part of the process turned out to be unexpectedly easy.
Tina said that SimpleConsign was the best software system, and I’ve found that to be true. I faced a steep learning curve in starting a business, but using SimpleConsign was the easy part. It’s intuitive, and when I needed help, tech support helped. I asked questions and got answers. I had never worked with a software where it was easy to talk to a real person to get real answers. (Have you?)
Data That Changes Decision-Making
For many shop owners, gut instinct drives buying decisions—but instincts can be misleading.
Emily learned this firsthand thanks to her favorite report: Sales by Category.
“This fall, it seemed like the only category that sold was kids’ clothes. The report showed that the children’s categories were only 20% of our sales volume. My day-to-day impression was way off.”
With accurate sales data at her fingertips, she now uses reporting to guide what she accepts for consignment—ensuring inventory aligns with what’s truly selling.
A Better Experience for Consignors
With nearly 400 consignors—including 20 local makers—clear communication is essential. ConsignorAccess has become one of Emily’s most valued tools.
The transparency empowers consignors, reduces administrative work, and builds trust.
Preparing for the Next Chapter
Small business success requires knowing what to keep and what to cut. Faced with rising rent and operational costs, "I looked at my whole budget, and I cut expenses where I could, but I never considered cutting SimpleConsign. That's the core of the business."
With the lease ending in January of 2026, the shop is moving to a more affordable, high-visibility shopping center between a Safeway and a Bi-Mart—an exciting shift that will bring in more foot traffic and offer room for continued growth.
From a leap of faith to a thriving, community-centered consignment store, Jolliffe’s is a testament to resilience, creativity, and smart operational tools. With SimpleConsign, Emily has been able to focus on her mission, her customers, and her health—while running a shop she loves.
