More Than a Store: How The Shopping Cart in South Africa Was Born

The story behind The Shopping Cart — built with passion, purpose, and a love for fashion that tells a story

Where It All Began…

Covid was a tough time for all of us. We were confined to our homes, and life as we knew it just… changed. I, on the other hand, working in “Corporate”, was clocking 15–16-hour days. I often found myself throwing out the phrase, “Oh well, that’s corporate.” But something inside me had already shifted — I knew deep down that this couldn’t be it forever.

Being stuck at home, I needed something other than work and cleaning out every nook and cranny of my house. I decided to start a side hustle — or maybe you could even call it a hobby to keep me sane.

The Spark

While decluttering, I realised how many things we accumulate over time. So many things I didn’t use anymore — some even brand new. And the sad reality? They had cost a pretty penny and were just lying there, dormant. That’s when I joined a “marketplace” (name withheld, because I’m not here for drama).

This little hobby was great. I was making extra cash from items I no longer needed, and they were going to people who were excited to give them a second life. Bonus? It was basically recycling — so I felt good about helping the environment, too!

From Hobby to Hustle

Then I noticed something else: I’m a hoarder of clothes, shoes, bags… you name it. Items I’d once thought, “WOW, this is amazing, I’ll wear it everywhere!” only to have them sit untouched in my closet. Whether my weight had fluctuated, my style had evolved, or life had just moved on — these gorgeous pieces were no longer serving me.

And that got me thinking...

I shifted direction and started a social media page. But this wasn’t going to be a “come sell your vrot shoes and moth-eaten clothes” kind of place. I started with a few of my own nearly-new items, and the response was fantastic. To be honest, it took off faster than I ever expected. Followers grew, and so did sales.

Eventually, I upscaled and opened the door for consignment stock — selling on behalf of others and earning commission. As a fashion lover, I was hooked. I invested in advertising, bought a mannequin, and upgraded my camera gear.

Things were going really well.

The Fall

Then, out of nowhere — my page was deleted.

No warning. No reason. All the hours, the energy, the money, the community I had built — gone. I tried everything, but as many of you know, getting help from social platforms can feel impossible. My page had vanished into the digital void.

I started again, but my business name was now unavailable for an indefinite period. I had no backup of my followers or my buyer/seller lists (yes, yes — lesson learned: always back up your stuff!). My momentum was lost, and the new page just didn’t take off the same way.

So, I reevaluated.

Marketplace Madness

I joined another marketplace — this time one with a big user base and actual customer service. It seemed like a good fit at first. But the more familiar I became, the more I knew: this wasn’t the home for my brand.

I was selling high-quality, preowned fashion items — some practically new. Some of my sellers had luxury brands, and I made damn sure they were authentic. I did the research, collected invoices — all to give my buyers peace of mind. Because I have strong ethics, and I genuinely believe what goes around comes around.

I say this with conviction because I’ve been there too. I’ve been scammed — not once, but more than once. And no, I’m not embarrassed to admit it. Those were painful, expensive lessons… but they taught me everything I needed to know. That’s a blog for another day — and trust me, it’s coming.

Unfortunately, not everyone on the platform shared those values. I was being thrown in the same bucket as sellers pushing counterfeits. And while I understand there’s a market for that — it’s not my market.

A Turning Point

Then one day, I got a message from a woman who had been following my page. She complimented the store and said she could tell I was selling real designer items. She’d bought a “designer” bag from somewhere else, but something felt off. She asked if I could help.

Ladies — always trust your gut.

I looked at the photos she sent, and my heart sank. I could see immediately that something was wrong. I shared my thoughts, gave her a few ways to proceed, and she thanked me. I never heard back after that… but sometimes, no news is good news.

And honestly? That moment reminded me why I do this.

A Space of My Own

I decided then and there — I wanted my own space. My own brand. A place where shoppers could feel safe — where they wouldn’t have to second-guess their purchases. Where they could ask for help. Where they could trust that what they were buying was real — and fabulous.

It’s amazing how a great pair of shoes or a killer handbag can transform how you feel. It’s not just fashion — it’s confidence. And whether we want to admit it or not, people treat you differently when you look put-together. I want every shopper at The Shopping Cart to feel that energy — to turn heads, to feel incredible, and to wear each piece with pride.

The Website Journey

Creating my own website while still working full-time in corporate? Let’s just say it was not for the faint-hearted. Late nights, lots of coffee, and zero shortcuts.

You might ask, “Why not just hire someone?” I suppose I could have. But I needed it to reflect me. My vision. My voice.

And while it took time, my website finally went live last year. Today, I stock a growing collection of clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories — brand new and preowned — including authenticated designer luxury brands. So you never have to worry about fakes.

New Chapter. Same Passion.

To be fair, The Shopping Cart was a little neglected at first. Between the corporate grind and trying to juggle it all, it wasn’t easy.

But earlier this year, I took the leap.

I left the safety of corporate. And now? This is my happy place.

My wish for you South Africa: to find joy, confidence, and maybe even a little magic when you shop at www.theshoppingcart.co.za