In 1987, Glenda made the decision to leave corporate life and turn her all-time favourite hobby into a business venture. She opened Bon Retour, a consignment store specializing in designer brands.
“As a teenager, my friends and I would always go through each other’s closets looking for new clothes to trade. A friend’s closet is always much more interesting than your own closet. And everyone was just so happy to trade clothes,” says Glenda.
Her passion for sharing fashion continued into adulthood. “Later on, I frequently shopped in consignment stores, which were always packed. I opened Bon Retour because I saw a need for offering designer clothes, which have always been a passion of mine, using a consignment model. So I opened my first location on Cambie and 40th. By the first day people I already had some great items and made some sales. It just went from there.”
Helping people with their style is one of Glenda’s favourite parts of the job. “If I can put an outfit together and the client is pleased, that makes me happy. Over the years, we’ve really become known for our ability to help people find their style. It’s just so much more rewarding than typing at a desk.”
Operating in Steveston since 2013, Glenda also could not be happier with her latest relocation choice. “The community here is so supportive, everyone knows everybody and it’s a very relaxed pace. The business community is also very close-knit and supportive of each other. I don’t think I’ll ever retire!”
