Emil’s Vintage

University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce

Industry: Fashion and Retail

Founding Student Name(s): Emil Benli

Brief Description of Solution: Today, finding a unique outfit from in-person to digital thrift takes hours – hours we don’t have. At Emil’s Vintage, we know you’re busy, so we bring thrifting to you without the hassle, the diamonds without the ruff. Through curated pieces and outfit selections, we bring time back where it matters most, back to you.

Funding Dollars: None

What led you to launch this venture? I noticed that my friends and I would waste hours online and in-person thrifts, frustrated while searching endlessly just to maybe find something we liked. We were playing a modified guess game. In an attempt to rescue my people’s time, I set out to put the power back in the hands of the consumer. The goal? A more intentional experience with every item, so we’re not just buying what’s there, but something that actually feels like you.

What has been your biggest accomplishment so far with venture? In my opinion, the biggest accomplishment so far has been building meaningful connections through this venture. This journey in entrepreneurship allowed me to open the door to unique individuals, all with very different talents, passions, and goals. In the pursuit of my dream, every interaction brings me inspiration and reinforces why I am here.

How has your business-related major helped you further this startup venture? Being at the McIntire School of Commerce has opened so many doors in my understanding of business. From granting me the opportunity to take Integrated courses abroad to connecting me with professors who have gone above-and-beyond to lend a helping hand, I understood that commerce wasn’t just the widely perceived misconception of being a pipeline to banking, but rather a vast market with unique opportunities from place to place.

Which business class has been most valuable in building your startup and what was the biggest lesson you gained from it? Two courses laid crucible experiences for me.

Starting from the class that laid the groundwork for my entrepreneurial perspective and during which I launched this venture was ENTR 1010 Intro to Entrepreneurship with Professor Bevin T. Etienne. Through the review of case studies, learning basic business analysis, and formulating a complex solution to a market problem through pitch and slide presentations, I gained fundamental skills in proper communication of ideas and broader thinking. The value of any solution depends on how well it’s communicated. Without clarity and conviction, even the best ideas get lost.

The second course that was impactful for me was Professor Kisha Lashley’s Global Immersion Course to Kenya, COMM4569 The Business of Conservation. This class expanded my understanding of market saturation. Through travel from various local businesses and conservation groups, my eyes were opened to perception dependent on location. Culture formulates day-by-day interaction and way of living. One key takeaway from the travel experience was realizing how deeply location shapes market opportunity. What’s saturated in one region can be completely untapped in another—but identifying that gap isn’t enough. To truly fill it, you have to immerse yourself in the culture and context behind it. As a wildlife conservation expert on the trip put it, “We can only love what we understand, and we can only understand if we are taught.” That quote stuck with me—because the same applies to markets. Real opportunity comes from understanding people, and real understanding only comes through being present and willing to learn.

What business professor made a significant contribution to your plans and why? Professor Bevin T. Etienne had a significant impact on my venture. Through discussion of ideas and the caveats it may hold, I was able to solidify my idea. Through his constant positive affirmation and willingness to speak on entrepreneurial ideas – piggybacking off the expertise in different industries he had – it gave me the lift to believe in my own ideas.

What founder or entrepreneur inspired you to start your own entrepreneurial journey? How did he or she prove motivational to you? The entrepreneur who inspires me most is my dad. He took a leap of faith alone to build a new life for our family. In the pursuit of the American dream, he faced adversity, moving from place to place and working tirelessly to create something better. His sacrifices were about creating opportunities for our family. Watching him never give up, even when the odds were stacked against him, gave me a real example of what it means to bet on yourself. He’s my biggest inspiration, and his example motivates me to carve my own path with the same courage and conviction.

What is your long-term goal with your startup? Looking ahead, I plan to launch my own clothing line built around vintage textiles—breathing new life into the past while creating pieces that feel both timeless and personal. I see the future of vintage and my venture not just as resale, but as an ecosystem of curation for communities to come together, formulate differentiation through fashion.

How has your local startup ecosystem contributed to your venture’s development and success? People say you’re shaped by the five people you spend the most time with. In my case, I get a whole local startup ecosystem that has expanded beyond that circle. Everyone is chasing something big, but time is made to form a community and bounce ideas off one another. Being around people who are all building their dreams into reality – hearing their passion through conversation – keeps you accountable and inspired.

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