My Story

I’ve always loved thrifting. The excitement of finding something unique, the stories behind every piece, and the feeling that you’re uncovering something special. That passion turned into something bigger this past summer when I started FoundF1rst out of my garage. What began as a small collection of thrifted pieces quickly grew into pop-up events around town, where I got to connect with people who shared the same love for thrifting as I did.

During my first two years of college, I was dual-enrolled at University of Oregon and  Lane Community College where I played basketball as I got my education. After the two year JUCO grind was done, I felt myself lost without basketball eager to find something else to dedicate myself to.

Now as a Junior at Oregon . I’ve always known I wanted to build something of my own — something that made a difference. While being a student here, I started to notice a big gap in the thrift culture around my college town. Somewhere along the way, profits started to matter more than the experience. Thrifting became expensive, and that sense of discovery and community that made it fun started to fade.

That’s what inspired FoundF1rst — a brand created to bring back what thrifting is supposed to be about. I wanted to build a space where students could come together, find quality pieces at prices that make sense, and feel good about what they’re wearing. FoundF1rst is more than just a clothing brand — it’s a movement toward accessible, community-driven, and sustainable style.