As a college student, McFadden developed the idea for eDrop-Off, a luxury consignment eBay store, for her senior project. She’s anything but shy about her early detractors: “My program advisor didn’t support me. Imagine how that felt as a young girl. But it taught me nothing could stand in my way.” McFadden persevered, going to great lengths to bring her dream to life. She even skipped her college graduation to attend eBay LIVE!, a convention in New Orleans where she found the software (and inspiration) she needed to launch her own business. With just $37 in her bank account, there was no fear of failure in McFadden’s mind. She had found a niche in the marketplace and knew she had the brains, prowess, and fashion sense to fulfill it.
Fast-forward to today and Titanium Power Seller eDrop-Off has sold over 200,000 luxury brand items from Louis Vuitton to Chanel. McFadden has found herself knee deep in closets chock full of designer wares across the U.S. “Sometimes you look at a closet and think you’ll be there for forty-five minutes and you’ll be there over five hours,” she says. But nothing tops the eleven-hour undertaking that had McFadden (and an ADT security installation man) spending time with a long time client undergoing some emotional hardships. “It was five or six trips back and forth to eDrop-Off,” she laughs.
Purging your closet can be as beneficial to your bank account as it is therapeutic. Most recently, a Cartier necklace made history as eDrop-Off’s most expensive item when it sold for $57,000. As impressive as it sounds, the entrepreneur isn’t fazed; her clientele regularly bring in limited edition pieces (like Birkin bags that can sell from “$12,000 to 17,000”) that drastically raise the auction price. “It’s amazing to see an auction jump by $2,000 or $3,000 in the last few seconds,” she says.
What’s it like to be surrounded by designer goods all day, every day? McFadden ensures employees (herself included) get no special privileges. “We have to bid just like everyone else. It hurts when you’ve tried on that Chanel jacket that fits perfectly and you get outbid.”
It’s her adoration for fashion’s constantly evolving landscape that continues to drive McFadden’s business. Like most of us, she’s excited for spring styles because they’re “all about color.” She relies on Rag & Bone jeans “in every color” for her work ensembles. “They just fit so well and work great with a graphic t-shirt,” she says. Brian Atwood is another favorite: “He is a creative genius! I absolutely love his new ‘B’ Collection… my new color block heels from this line are my current obsession.” And next on her list is the coveted Proenza Schouler PS1 bag, “I can’t decide between neon and coral. Probably coral,” she says. As McFadden rattles off more of what’s on her spring wish list, shoppers (and this writer) can only hope some of it eventually ends up on eDrop-Off.
