Meet Kelly Carnes | Founder and CEO of Trove, the world’s first peer-to-peer costume rental platform
We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Carnes and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kelly, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I created Trove because at first I wanted to solve a personal problem. I am an experienced cosplayer, Renaissance Faire go-er and Halloween-lover with a closet of more than 300 high quality costume pieces. My friends were constantly borrowing these expensive pieces, for free, because they also wanted to look incredible for an event but didn’t want to make the same investment in a single-use piece. When I floated the idea of renting out my costumes instead, my friends not only supported the idea but asked if they could also list their costumes, as they had the same issue. That’s when the light bulb went off and the “me” problem became a “we” problem. I realized I could use a peer-to-peer rental model, just like Airbnb does, to help costume collectors monetize the collections they have in storage, while lowering the barrier of access to other curious creatives who want to play, or work, in costume.
What should our readers know about your business?
Trove is the world’s first peer-to-peer costume rental platform. We are the first costume rental site that allows users to rent directly to and from each other. This allows people, performers, creatives and makers to monetize the costumes they have in storage, while lowering the barrier of access to others who want to try or temporarily use costumes for work or play. This customer-to-customer exchange model is better for your wallet, supports small businesses, makers, creators, performers and artists, while being better for the environment by reducing waste. Meanwhile, the “costume curious” have better access to the resources they need to participate in costumed projects, performances and events.
The site is live and post-revenue, and I got here through self-funding, sheer sweat equity, and many a sleepless night. It has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I drew on the support of my network to overcome challenging times and situations.
I have learned that you can do everything you know how to do to go about things the right way, and it still may not go as you’d planned based on the actions of others or, you know, a pesky global pandemic that shuts down the events industry for more than a year.
What I want people to know about Trove is that it isn’t just a seasonal resource. If you’re a cosplayer there are 1200+ cosplay conventions across North America every year. Outside of Halloween, there are opportunities to wear costumes for theater performances, drag performances, burns and festivals, holidays, themed parties, for historic re-enactments and with kids and pets. Costuming is a source of joy, inspiration and income all year round.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Trove was founded in Washington, D.C., and before founding Trove I used to work at the Smithsonian, so the first stop has to be any one of the 19 museums or National Zoo on the mall, or the newly-opened Planet Word Museum which is phenomenal and gorgeous.
Since DC is known as a politics town, visitors are often surprised by the amount of culinary and artistic destinations. I used to live along the H St. corridor which is teeming with incredible restaurants like Toki Underground (ramen), but my favorite spot is Union Market where my partner and I go every Friday night for date night to enjoy oysters, wine and cheese.
If you’re lucky you’ll visit during the D.C. Walls Mural Festival, or when No Kings Collective mounts their next Umbrella exhibition to showcase emerging and established local artists. If not, you can view those murals year round in NoMa, Blagden Alley, or by heading to Artechouse for one of their signature immersive experiences.
Depending on the season, there’s also ample green space to enjoy a healthy distance from the crowds of tourists on the National Mall. (However if it’s Cherry Blossom season a stroll around the tidal basin is basically legally required, don’t miss the peaceful FDR memorial) My favorite is visiting the old Capitol Columns at the National Arboretum, especially if azalea hill is in bloom. In late summer, Kenilworth aquatic gardens is bursting with blooms during their Lotus and Water Lily Festival. If it’s fall, you can’t miss a trip to Congressional Cemetery, which is even older than Arlington National Cemetery and hosts lively community programs like movie nights, “Soul Stroll” tours, dog festivals, concerts, yoga and more. Fun Fact: I got married there!
Hopefully Synetic Theater is in season and you can enjoy one of their mind-bending performances. A combination of the words “synergy” and “kinetic” they are extremely physical and creative performances, with a dark and twisty soul. I like to describe them as “If Tim Burton directed Cirque Du Soleil.” After experiences one of their epic adventures, I like winding down with a craft cocktail shaken up at Denson, or one of the city’s hidden speakeasys. Or If I’m electrified, I’ll head to the pinball bar.
And if it’s a Sunday, I highly recommend brunch at the O St Mansion, which is one of the cities best gems hidden in plain sight. A series of five town homes, right off of Dupont Circle, used to be owned and operated by the FBI, and boasts 66 secret passageways between the buildings, hidden behind mirrors, false walls, or even under tubs. The space now serves as an active artist residence and a hotel where celebrities often stay because of the privacy of it’s maze-like floor plan. It’s also been filled from floor to ceiling with charming, if not sometimes bizarre kitsch, art and vintage clothes and décor, all available for purchase – including the Rockstar-signed guitars.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
While I was working on the idea, someone recommend I read Peter Thiel’s book “From Zero to One.” When the creative and entrepreneurial process was challenging, his book provided solidarity, as well as validation that creating something from nothing is one of the most powerful actions you can take. I still think about that when I’m discouraged and take pride in the affirmation.
Website: https://trovecostumes.com/
Instagram: @trovecostumes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellycarnes/
Twitter: @kellycarnes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.carnes1
Image Credits
Courtesy of Trove Costumes
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