On a campus where fast fashion often dominates student wardrobes, two FGCU seniors are offering a sustainable alternative– right on FGCU’s library lawn and student plaza.
Second Chance, Co. is a student-founded sustainable fashion initiative at FGCU by Holly Barney and Camden Walsh. What started as a response to the lack of affordable, eco-conscious fashion options for students has grown into a fully operating business. Rooted in the values of affordability, accessibility, and sustainability, the business provides an alternative to fast fashion.
Second Chance Co. was born in FGCU’s own entrepreneurship program with the very first pop-ups happening outside of Lucas Hall in 2023. A project within the two students’ education became a full-blown business that now operates independently outside of campus life.
“We started through FGCU and then we took it, ran with it, and made it our own business,” Walsh said.
The company’s mission is based on two goals: affordability and sustainability.
“A lot of college students don’t have time to thrift or don’t want to go spend hours sifting through Goodwill racks or other thrift store racks,” Barney said. A lot of what we do is bring that to them.”
By offering a convenient and curated thrifting destination, Second Chance Co. provides an alternative to both fast fashion and time-consuming thrift store hunts.
Being students themselves, Barney and Walsh understand lacking the time, funds and patience to effectively thrift clothing.
“We’re college students and the way we started this was the problem of not having time to thrift and not having options and not wanting to go to a retail shop and drop a lot of money on firsthand items,” Barney said.
The entrepreneurial backbone of the business is a major factor in its success. Barney is an entrepreneurship major while Walsh is an entrepreneurship minor. Their journey was supported by FGCU’s entrepreneurial program and the Runway Program, which Walsh likens to “Shark Tank” in structure.
“We kind of took the reins from what they showed us – the guidance the entrepreneurship professors gave us – and kind of curated it into what they ultimately want you to do, which is have your own business,” Walsh said.
These educational influences combined with the students’ ambition have allowed them to formalize their LLC and build their business. As their business expands, Second Chance pop-ups are appearing all over Fort Myers. Other local businesses have taken on hosting the new company at their events and in everyday movement, such as Downtown Coffee & Wine and Ceremony Brewing.
Contrary to the common assumption, Second Chance Co. is not a registered student organization, club or FGCU affiliated business. The company is fully operated by Barney and Walsh, now completely outside of FGCU and their education. They accept donations and offer trade-ins and store credit for used clothing in good condition.
“We are looking at an overall picture of preventing fast fashion and promoting secondhand clothing to show people that it is an option and there’s really no need to be buying firsthand items when there is so much clothing going into landfills,” Barney said.
Follow them on Instagram @2nddchanceclothing.
