Christiane [00:00:09]:

Oh, welcome back to the Happy Healthy Hustle podcast where we explore the intersection of health, happiness, and productivity. I'm your host, Christiane, and I'm super excited. We have a very special guest here today. But before I get started with the guest, let's do our podcast fan all the week. And I'm going to read the review by this podcast fan that's called MORTU. So more to The title of the review is unlock your Zen in one minute, and the review reads. Listen to one minute mantra episode. This episode was a real game changer. It introduced me to the power of 1 minute mantra for stress relief and focus. so many golden nuggets and helpful tips. I must listen. So I hope that you check out this podcast episode about the 1 minute mantra. And I'm also so appreciative about more to leaving this amazing review. If you have not left your review yet, go ahead and do that. because we give those fans a shout out. We totally appreciate it. It's always like a nice little mantra to myself when I read those reviews. But with that, Let's get started with our guest here today. We have Nate Schmidt, and let's introduce yourself. Yeah. Welcome.

Nate Smidt [00:01:23]:

Yeah. So my name's Nate Smidt. I'm going into my last year at Cal Poly. I'm an agricultural business manager, and I just recently opened up my own store in downtown SLO.

Christiane [00:01:35]:

Amazing. So now you can immediately see the tie and we have the happy, healthy hustle. And here we have a college student that's hustling full time college students have to say and running a business, a store in downtown, SLO. And so just to give you some context here, running a store in downtown SLO is not an easy and inexpensive or, you know, a task. You just pickup just like that. So, Nate, you must have some true superpowers. What do you think is your superpower? How would you describe that if you if somebody were to ask you, you get all that done?

Nate Smidt [00:02:15]:

Yeah. Yeah. So, I mean, I think you kinda touched on it, like, doing a student, you know, all of that. I think my power would be multitasking. Even though I'm not, I've always not been created and I just I think that throughout this process, I've been able to get better. I think multitasking during a week, because maybe during the day, I'm not the best, but spacing out what I do during a week between my duties at my store, school. I have a girlfriend, you know, my family, going and seeing my family, and then hanging out with friends, like a normal college kid, it's like, being able to balance all of that stuff in a week is definitely super hard cash, but I think my superpower helps me make it a little easier.

Christiane [00:03:04]:

Oh, I love it. You're kinda putting it in perspective. Because what we tend to do is that we are, you know, perfectionist. I mean, look at one task. I mean, like, well, could have maybe done this better? No. I don't know about this. but you're kind of, like, looking at, well, on an average, I've only got stuff done. Right? And so through the week, you know, when I look at my schedule, it just kind of all happened. Was it perfect? No. But you know what? It was perfectly imperfect. And that's just you just get, you know, you just get it done. So that, yeah, like, you're checking it off and you're like, you know what? It got done. and that might be better than somebody else that was like, you know, I'm still working on it because you just did it. So tell us a little bit about challenges. What was the biggest challenge and why?

Nate Smidt [00:03:55]:

so, you know, the biggest challenges, I think, is that we did this at such a young age. I have 3 other business partners, and all of us were under 21. And when we first started doing stuff, you know, when you start a business, it's like, everyone's like, no. Don't do that. That's not a good idea. you know, they have no vision of the future. They're just like, what are you doing? Why are you wasting your time? And you know, the one of the biggest things I remember is that we went into, the business we went into Bank of America because I wanted to open up a corporate account. And when we walk in, I see the receptionist, and she's like, like, what are you guys here for? And I'm like, oh, we're here to open up a business bank. Yeah. And she, like, laughs at me, and I'm like, what? And she said, do you have all the paperwork? I'm like, I have it right here? And she's like, Alright. Well, then here's, Mister Ramirez, like, walking to his office and he was super cool, but There's definitely been multiple moments throughout this entire process that, definitely people, like, don't basis is really young or, you know, like, believe that, like, you know, even when we would tell people we had a store down town, like, No. You don't. You know, like, there's no way. So just look at little stuff like that. It's just definitely challenging to but,

Christiane [00:05:25]:

Yeah. You know? And it what I love is there is that reality check. There are always going to be doubters, and they're going to be the cheerleaders. And sometimes the doubters are amazing because it kind of, like, makes you filter out. Is that really a good idea? but I love your perseverance in keeping ongoing despite all the doubters. Mhmm. Kind of thinking, no. I know this is a good idea. So tell us a little bit more about what you're actually selling because I think that in itself, this is like a superpower, how you found your niche right there. What what what is your store all about? And you're obviously thriving in your store. So little bit from the very beginning to how you're now --

Nate Smidt [00:06:10]:

Where we are now.

Christiane [00:06:11]:

-- building, like, a one minute story arc here.

Nate Smidt [00:06:14]:

Yeah. Yeah. So, I'd start with me coming to Cal Poly. I came to school, not a lot of money, wanted to allocate my money towards, you know, what was the best. And I was like, I'm spending so much money on clothes. I want more money to go eat with my friends, you know, go hang out, do events, you know, surfing, whatever it may be that cost money for gas, you know, So I was like, okay. I'll spend less money on clothes. so I started going to, you know, goodwill bins, goodwill with me and all my buddies would go fresh when you hear it from we'd like to all get in one of my friend's cars in the dorms, and we'd all drive together. but one time I found this, like, my favorite brand's always been Stucy. I'm wearing it right now. But I I found this Stucy Winbrake right now, and I was like, $3 that grabbed it, and I looked it up, and it was, like, $120, $130 online. And I'm just like, what? You know, like, it's crazy how you can, like, if you look right, you can find stuff that that people really want. And that started I mean, I just started buying, going all the time, you know, every once in a while to just get more clothes. And then, I had my one of my friends move over and we both had a bunch of clothes and we decided one of my friends was having, like, a pop up and we were like, hey. We can go you know, get some of our clothes out of our closet. I mean, we made a, you know, a little bit of money and, we thought it was a lot of money, but we we sit there and we're like, dang. Okay. Like, maybe maybe there's a maybe there's a market for this. You know? And after that, we, Lori, you know, reinvesting, spending way more money. we did a pop up on Dextraulonic. And that time, we made, like, twice as much money. And we're like, what? You know, still thinking we're, like, big, like, we're we we made it you know, with, like, a couple $100. And

Christiane [00:08:16]:

-- And so, obviously, now in your store, you're probably much more selective in terms of what you're selling. Right? 100%.

Nate Smidt [00:08:27]:

Like, there was literally

Christiane [00:08:30]:

recent recent sales, or there was a fun, like, I would call, like, nearly Cinderella story right there. I wanna hear that.

Nate Smidt [00:08:39]:

So, you know, one another thing is that we just kinda everything's always just kinda worked out for us. You know, we we got store in a year. So everything's just all the chips that align for us. And with the summer coming, we kind of weren't fully anticipating how all of our market gonna be gone. All these college kids are gonna be gone. And we are by South trade. And one of the miraculous stories was, you know, we were kinda struggling to get more closing without spending too much money and, you know, doing all that stuff. And we were like, oh, damn, and, you know, we buy this pair of pants off a guy that comes in the store. And, it's a pair of Levi jeans, right, and, like, they're big e Levi's, which is, like, I guess, a more rare form of the pants and, You know, we start asking people how much are worth and, you know, we end up selling those pants for 10 double tens of

Christiane [00:09:41]:

$1000,

Nate Smidt [00:09:41]:

and we're like, what? Like, so I think being there's definitely been other items. Like, this guy came in with, a bunch of old rock tees, and, he brings in this 1 Prince tour t shirt, and, we buy it for, you know, a little bit of money and we look online and it's worth a $1000, $2000. And we're like, what? Like, It's just crazy how there's definitely, like, little stuff, but we try to be, like you said, being selective and then So we're very selective with how we spend the big money with, like, stuff like that, the prints, you know, the Levi pants. And then it's being So, like, semi selective into a price range that we think our customers will consume, right, because, you know, nobody's walking in and buying a $1200 shirt, you know, no one's locking in and like, oh, so we're trying to hit that price range for college students to be able to get something from, like, a 30 to $40 range because, like, you know, online, they're selling for

Christiane [00:10:48]:

60, 70,

Nate Smidt [00:10:49]:

but we're getting them for a lot cheaper. And we're like, okay, we're we're trying to bring something that you would actually love. Like, you know, you're not just buying a random shirt and being like, oh, I'll just wear this on Tuesday. You're like, I just found my new shirt, and that's kind of the thing that we try to do.

Christiane [00:11:06]:

So I love and it's kind of like somebody's trash is your treasure, so to speak. And why there is a couple of things I really like. 1 is you're really doing, like, a repurposing strategy, which is very green. Of course, we don't you know, constantly buying new clothing from a place to wear. You might not even wear it very long. There's no story behind the shirt, but what you're really doing is your recycling clothings, you're turning them around. And at the same time, there is that second part, that element to it, to where there is a meaning behind the sure if maybe, as you mentioned, it's your favorite brand, maybe deep down your prints fan. Maybe you got that from your family. So there's a connection that each clothing item has. And I sometimes say if if clothing or furniture could talk, it would just be so amazing to hear who who is this before. And and where did they buy? Did they buy the prints concert? And I mean, Prince passed away now many years ago, but you know, you would love to know sometimes, like, what happened to this? And, Nina, like, with cards where you look up, you know, the history, of the owners if you don't need it. That would exist with clothing. They're like, oh my gosh. That was purchased in. I can't believe it. So

Nate Smidt [00:12:24]:

around all the time, and we're just like, like, we had this jacket literally last night, and we looked at it. We got it in LA 2 weekends ago. we're looking at it. It's like 1944, and we're just like and on the inside, it says like, you know, a bunch of army or, I think, air force lines, and we're just like, Was this, like, an actual pilot, or is this just, like, a remake or, like, you know, can't ask to close so we don't know, but I didn't see what you're saying.

Christiane [00:12:51]:

Yeah. So if you if you think of, some way that you could connect the story to the clothing, And, as I say, if clothing could talk or whatever, you could figure this out, which I don't know, one day, maybe artificial intelligence will help us. Yeah. Well, you can scan the clothing, and it goes back. You know, nearly like a QR code type thing with with the fruits and vegetables so where you can scan it and see where it was grown. I do that a lot with my produce or with wine sometimes, but you can figure out where the grape were harvested. That would be cool with clothing, but we we are not there yet. So right now, we're just going to your store, and we're just amazed at these wonderful pieces of clothing is, and I love how you segmented your target market. Then thinking about marketing, you're very strategic in terms of the price point. the product and how you promote your store, of course, and your store being right downtown in Saint Louis Obispo, which is, abbreviated as SLO. being in a perfect prime location right there. So I would love to know how you obviously got started by self motivation, but was there another person in your life that influenced you to do this?

Nate Smidt [00:14:04]:

yeah, definitely my dad growing up, he would always talk about, you know, different stuff, and I think I'd always get that, the entrepreneurship characteristic from him. I just always when, you know, I was my parents had me when they were really young. And the first thing that they did was go right to work, And, you know, they provided for me, and I have 3 little brothers. So, you know, it's a crazy house. They gave up their dreams to help us achieve ours. And, you know, that watching that, that kinda hurts because you don't really get it till you're older and you're just like, dang, you know, that that sucks. And, you know, my my my dad, a year ago, started working on his own brewery, and it's like, dang that was 2, you know, I'm 21 now. So 21 years later, he's finally getting the chance to, you know, do what Nate Smith, the first wants to do. not always worried about, you know, Nate Smith second. So, yeah, definitely my dad and seeing what he gave up, and my mom too, what she gave up, you know, My mom stay at home mom all throughout my life, and my dad was always working in Utah or Colorado. He wasn't around much in high school, but he was just working to provide for us. And, you know, my mom held down the pack and took care of us every day and, you know, something that we really needed.

Christiane [00:15:34]:

I love it. And I I met them in the store. I went there on the opening, and I took my 2 daughters along and bought them actually some shirts. And, Nate, I need to send you those amazing pictures that I took the other day. My young daughter was wearing, the shirt that I wore in the promotional video that you filmed at my older daughter wore the t shirt that we bought at your amazing store. So they are, like, walking up at advertisements for you, and they absolutely adore the merchandise. So you're doing an amazing job in bringing clothing in that really resonate with them. So I truly appreciate all your insight right there. So now, of course, we are wondering, how can we get in touch with you? where can we find that store. Is there a website and special social media? What we can find out more about you because you're so inspiring when you learn more.

Nate Smidt [00:16:26]:

No. So, some things we're working on right now. I mean, we already have our Instagram in place. So, I mean, if anyone wants to check out who we are, you know, what our story a little bit and all that stuff, our Instagram is at centralcoastbtg, and that's centralcoastbtg. not vintage. It's BTG because vintage was already taken. And then, we also are working on a website right now that we're hoping it's gonna be out in the next 2 weeks. and that's just centralcosvintage.com. And, yeah, last but not least, I think we're also working on setting up a YouTube channel too so we can have all these little things that each one of us have kinda been in a part of and put all of the videos on the one place. So if anyone's ever interested in looking at, you know, something that we've done, they can just go on to the YouTube and see, and then We're also working on that promotional video, which you were a part of, and we were so grateful for that. And, yeah, so we're we're hoping that we're gonna get the website and all that up in the next 2 weeks and then have that promotional video to, you know, put us back out there marketing wise. And, yeah,

Christiane [00:17:36]:

It sounds like there's a lot going on, and you have unstoppable hustler coming from a family of hustlers. I absolutely love it. we're going to put all those contacts into the show notes so that in the audience, you can keep in touch with Nate and follow his wonderful journey. I always say, we are buying stories. We're not buying just products, and your story definitely inspires to check out a little bit more of what you're up to. And I'm sure this is just the beginning of your trajectory. So I'm very grateful that we did this interview today, and I'm sure the audience absolutely adored listening to this as well. But with that, we at the end of our episode here today, happy, healthy hustlers. Thanks so much for listening and tuning in. And I hope that you are staying healthy and well and keep hustling. And I look forward to hearing you on the next episode. Thank you. Alright. That's it for today's episode of the Happy Healthy Hustle podcast. If you have any suggestions for future content or any feedback, please let me know. I would also love to share with you that I'm about launch my journey to wellness program, and I'm sure that you as a happy healthy hustler would love to be part of this wonderful 21 day transformational program. It gives you some quick and easy tools that you can use at home to get your health journey started. Stay tuned. And until then, We'll catch you next time.