Today we’d like to introduce you to Lora Larson.
Hi Lora, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey to owning My Best Friend’s Closet has been anything but traditional—but every step along the way helped shape the way I run the business today.
I grew up in a small town in North Dakota before moving to Fargo to attend North Dakota State University, where I earned my degree in Apparel, Retail Merchandising, and Design. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with Fargo and the opportunities it offered, and I knew I wanted to build my career here.
I started in corporate retail at Vanity, a women’s apparel and accessories company, where I worked in allocation and analytics. That role gave me a strong foundation in understanding the numbers behind retail—learning how to analyze data, forecast trends, and make strategic decisions. It was also where I really honed my skills in Excel and developed a deep appreciation for how data can tell the story of a business.
From there, I moved into a role at SCHEELS on the web merchandising team, where I managed online footwear assortments and oversaw digital promotions for my categories and brands. It was an exciting shift into e-commerce, giving me hands-on experience in a rapidly growing side of retail and helping me understand how customers shop both in-store and online.
After several years in corporate retail, I took a step back to explore other paths, working in the nonprofit space, a MedTech startup, and a private medical clinic. While those experiences expanded my perspective and skillset, I eventually found myself drawn back to fashion and retail—the industry where my passion truly began.
When I learned that my favorite local boutique, My Best Friend’s Closet, was for sale, it felt like a full-circle moment. My husband and I saw it as an opportunity not only to step into business ownership, but for me to combine my professional experience with something I genuinely love. It was the chance to build on an already incredible foundation and shape it into something that reflects both my vision and the community it serves.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Stepping into ownership of My Best Friend’s Closet came with a unique advantage—and its own set of challenges. While the business had already built a loyal customer base and strong community presence over its 20+ years, taking the reins meant learning how to lead it forward in a new era.
One of the biggest learning curves was navigating the behind-the-scenes realities of entrepreneurship. From taxes and accounting to cash flow management, there’s a level of responsibility that you can’t fully understand until you’re the one making the decisions. It required not only learning new systems, but gaining confidence in trusting those decisions.
Modernizing the business also became a key focus. Implementing new tools, platforms, and software—from inventory systems to online selling channels—has made a meaningful impact on growth and efficiency. But with those improvements came the challenge of teaching myself first, then guiding a team through those changes. Adopting new technology is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming, especially when you’re balancing day-to-day operations at the same time.
Like many small business owners, one of the ongoing challenges is marketing—specifically, knowing when and how much to invest. Every dollar matters, and there’s a constant balancing act between spending to grow and ensuring the business remains financially healthy. It can feel like a catch-22: you need to invest in advertising to drive sales, but you also need strong sales to justify that investment. Learning to test, adapt, and trust what resonates with customers has been an evolving process.
Through it all, these challenges have shaped not just the business, but the confidence and resilience behind it. Each obstacle has been an opportunity to refine, grow, and build something even stronger for the community it serves.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My Best Friend’s Closet is more than a boutique—it’s a Fargo staple and a destination for smart, stylish shopping. For over 20 years, this locally owned women’s consignment shop has been helping customers refresh their wardrobes with thoughtfully curated apparel, footwear, and accessories—at a fraction of traditional retail prices.
As the only women’s consignment store in the Fargo-Moorhead area, My Best Friend’s Closet has built its reputation on inclusivity, accessibility, and style for every woman. The boutique proudly carries an extensive size range from XXS to 5X, creating a shopping experience where all body types are celebrated and represented—something not always found in traditional retail.
The store’s layout is intentionally designed to make treasure-hunting both fun and approachable. Shoppers can explore three distinct sections tailored to different styles and budgets. The Designer Favorites section showcases high-end and luxury pieces for those looking to invest in standout items. The “Star” Section features popular mid- to high-tier brands with most pieces priced between $18 and $50, offering incredible value without sacrificing quality. Meanwhile, the Mall Brand section provides everyday staples in the $10–$20 range—perfect for building a wardrobe foundation. It’s not uncommon for customers to pair a simple $12 tee with a $200 designer blazer, creating a look that’s uniquely their own.
Beyond style and savings, sustainability is at the heart of the business. My Best Friend’s Closet gives new life to gently loved clothing, helping reduce textile waste and keep quality items out of landfills. Consigners are an essential part of that mission, bringing in pieces that are ready for their next chapter. The store follows a seasonal consignment model—accepting spring and summer items from March through early June, and transitioning to fall and winter collections beginning in September—to ensure inventory stays fresh, relevant, and in demand.
For many, consigning is not just about decluttering—it’s about turning closets into opportunity. Consigners can earn money as their items sell or choose store credit to reinvest in their wardrobe, making it easy to continually evolve their personal style in a sustainable, budget-friendly way.
With new arrivals hitting the floor daily and a constantly rotating selection of brands and styles, no two visits are ever the same. Whether you’re searching for a designer statement piece, everyday essentials, or simply the thrill of the find, My Best Friend’s Closet offers a shopping experience that feels personal, rewarding, and endlessly inspiring.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories would be of spending time in the shelterbelts and fields at my aunts farm. My cousin and I would play outside all day long building forts, exploring, and hanging out around horses. This made me a curious child that turned into a curious adult. It also made me very self sufficient and gave me a love of nature and the outdoors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mybestfriendsclosetfargo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mybestfriendsclosetfargo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mybestfriendsclosetfargo/
- Other: https://poshmark.com/closet/mbfc_fargo
