A woman who was once bullied for her love of op shopping has transformed her side hustle into a thriving boutique, proving that embracing what sets you apart can lead to unexpected success. Bonnie Wood, 30, now proudly owns Opsessed, an eclectic store in the small Victorian town of Clunes, filled with pre-loved fashion, quirky homewares, and unique finds.
The journey was not easy. 'I often got bullied throughout high school for my savvy and ethical approach to shopping, but I stayed true to myself and kept dreaming big,' Bonnie said. A candid post about her experience has since resonated with thousands across the country.
Early Influences and Overcoming Peer Pressure
Her love of fashion was shaped early on by her mother, who had a 'really unique' sense of style and a knack for finding standout pieces. While she occasionally shopped at department stores, her mother often sourced items on sale or made her own clothes, instilling an appreciation for creativity and individuality. However, Bonnie admitted she was not always a fan. 'I actually would often hide… because I didn't want anybody from school seeing me in there with my parents,' she recalled of being taken to second-hand stores as a child.
Like many teenagers, Bonnie struggled with the pressure to conform. 'I never really felt like I fit in,' she said, but over time her mindset shifted. 'I just got to the point, I was like, you know what, I don't care. It became about being individual rather than following the cool-kid trends.'
From eBay to a Thriving Business
Bonnie's journey into resale began in her mid-teens, when she started selling clothes online. 'I would look at what my sister would sell on eBay… and she was like, oh, I've made $300 this month… and as a 15-year-old, that seemed like a lot of money.' What began as pocket money soon turned into something bigger. During COVID-19 lockdowns, missing the thrill of bargain hunting, she realised she might have an obsession. 'I was like, I think I'm obsessed… and then I was like, oh my god, Opsessed! That's the name.'
With a ready-made shop space owned by her mother in Clunes, a casual garage sale to cull her family's thrifted stash quickly snowballed into a full-fledged retail space after locals kept returning. 'We had people knocking on the door and letters being left under our door asking what our opening hours were.' Realising they were onto something, Bonnie and her family turned it into a permanent store.
Affordability and Community Focus
Affordability remains at the heart of the business, with items ranging from 50 cents to a few dollars. 'It's accessible for anyone and everyone,' Bonnie explained. 'There's people out there that can't afford to be spending $100 or $50 on an item, but they might walk past and find a $2 or $5 thing, and that brings them equally as much joy.'
Now open on weekends, the boutique has become a destination, drawing shoppers from across Victoria and interstate. 'It's almost like stepping into an Alice in Wonderland vibe inside,' she said.
Lessons Learned and Future Plans
Bonnie admitted to missed opportunities, such as passing on a vintage Gucci handbag priced at $120 that was later worth almost $3,000, and a genuine Fendi bag for $20 that would have retailed for 100 times more. 'There's been more times that I've gone, why didn't I get that?' she said, shaping her golden rule: 'If in doubt, just get it.' She uses tools like Google Lens to quickly check items on the spot.
Alongside running the store, Bonnie works as a disability support worker, a role that unexpectedly feeds back into her business. 'More often than not, my participants want to go op shopping as an activity… so, if I'm out and about and I see stuff, they'll go, oh my god Bonnie, get this for the shop.' The crossover has created a unique sense of community. 'It's a really safe space to connect,' she said, adding that many customers have become close friends.
Looking ahead, Bonnie has ambitions to expand into a larger warehouse-style space in Victoria and beyond, but for now, she is focused on building something meaningful. 'From posting awkward as hell YouTube styling videos to now standing in front of my very own store is surreal,' she said.
