Startup Spotlight

Trend Trunk Sean Snyder, President

WWW.TRENDTRUNK.COM @TrendTrunk

Elevator Pitch

Trend Trunk is an online social marketplace which operates across Canada that allows you to cash in your closet and make money, or you shop closets full of styles you love at up to 80% off. In addition, if you want to look good and feel good doing so, you can also cash in your closet and donate up to 100% of the proceeds to your favourite charitable or non-profit group through our Closets & Causes fundraising program.

What was the inspiration for your company?

Our company initially focused on a gift card marketplace where consumers could buy/sell/donate their gift cards. After growing that marketplace and surveying our customers, and seeing the growth of the resale/secondary fashion market, we realized there was a ‘pain point’ of individuals saying they have too many clothes in their closet. As a result, we gave ourselves a make-over and launched TrendTrunk.com.

Did you have an ‘ah-ha’ moment when you got the idea to start your business?

In my first entrepreneurial venture, I spent 10 years flooding the market with new gift cards. After growing that business to $40 million annually, I then looked at ways to help monetize those unwanted gift cards, which is a $3 billion market, and built a marketplace to do so!

What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis?

Knowing that we are truly benefitting everyone; we’re helping people make money, save money and look good doing so! We’re actively involved in the community and working with non-profit and charitable groups to help them raise meaningful funds. Also, we’ve got an amazing team that we’ve put together who are committed and passionate about delivering on our promises!

The most challenging part?

The most challenging part is building awareness – everyone loves what TrendTrunk.com is doing, it’s just getting the word out!

How do you measure success?

We are very focused on analytics, measurements and milestones, so we use that to measure our success each day.

WHAT IS THE BEST RECOGNITION YOU HAVE RECEIVED?

The best recognition has been twofold; being crowned one of Hamilton’s top 10 Startup companies via the STARTOFF competition. Also, being a finalist for not one, but two Canada Post Innovation E-commerce Awards, which was a great accomplishment for us and to put Hamilton on the map.

What are your plans for the next year?

- We’ve got an exciting stylist program which allows an individual looking for a supplemental income stream to basically be their own fashion entrepreneur with the backing of Trend Trunk
- We’re really expanding our Closets & Causes program and partnering with charities and non-profit groups who are looking for an innovative way to raise funds
- Our app is launching soon, which gives a member the ability to buy and sell on the go!

Do you have any advice for other young professionals or students studying to pursue a career in your field?

Don’t pursue it in my field (hahaha)...pursue another field. Seriously though, starting a business is challenging, which is both fun and frustrating, but you need to be focused and committed.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I think I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur; I was collecting and selling sports cards at a very young age.

What’s your current tech setup?

We have setup both mobile and web platforms. We’ve designed our platform so that we can easily integrate with other partners for other opportunities.

What websites do you check daily?

TrendTrunk.com, various social media, LinkedIN

If you were locked in Chapters overnight – what section would we find you in?

Probably the magazines - looking at fashion and business ones

Favourite thing to do in Hamilton?

Play dodgeball and build the next great world-class company in Hamilton

I sell speed… I can make you faster on your bicycle!