In a recent episode of The Lexy Show: Fashion That Gives A Damn, I had the chance to sit down with Madison Mavis, the Director of Sustainability and Partnerships at NuSource (formerly Helpy Source), a company making big waves in the secondhand fashion space. We had an incredible conversation about how she transitioned from a career in advertising to the sustainable fashion world, and how NuSource is offering brands a solution to unsold and excess inventory.
Here’s the scoop on what we discussed, plus why NuSource is one of the brands we should all be watching.
What is NuSource and How Do They Work?
NuSource is all about giving fashion brands a sustainable solution to the excess inventory they’re constantly battling. We all know the struggle: brands overproduce and end up with a ton of unsold stock — which can end up in landfills or burned. What NuSource does is offer a solution to keep those unsold clothes in circulation.
Their model is simple: brands, retailers, and even nonprofits can reach out to NuSource when they’re stuck with excess inventory, customer returns, or damaged goods. Instead of throwing it away or burning it, NuSource buys it. From there, they help get that stock into mom-and-pop thrift stores, resellers, and secondhand shops across the U.S.
NuSource makes sure that every piece of clothing is given a chance to be loved again, instead of contributing to the mountain of textile waste that we see around the world. And that’s not all — they’re working with brands to reduce the environmental footprint of overproduction and help their customers reach more sustainable practices.
The Circular Fashion Model: What’s All the Hype?
I asked Madison to break down what circular fashion really means. She explained that circularity isn’t the same as sustainability, but it plays a huge role in creating a more sustainable fashion industry. The idea is to keep resources in circulation for as long as possible, reducing waste and pollution.
It’s about recycling, reusing, and finding ways to keep products out of the landfill. Circular fashion includes things like take-back programs (think Lululemon), repair programs, and ensuring that your clothing is made to last so that it’s worth repairing instead of tossing.
The key takeaway here? Sustainability is a long-term goal, but circularity is how we get there. And Madison’s work at NuSource is a perfect example of how brands can support circular models to prevent clothes from ending up in landfills.
What’s Next for NuSource?
NuSource is rebranding and moving into an even more exciting phase. They’re working on expanding their partnerships with retailers and resellers, especially those in local thrift stores who might be struggling to find the right inventory. The goal is to make sure these shops get exactly what they need without having to rely on imports.
They’re also tapping into new sales channels like TikTok shop, Whatnot, and Jambo, where secondhand goods are flying off the shelves. The rise of these platforms means there’s a real demand for sustainable options — and NuSource is right there, ready to meet it.
The Power of Small Actions
Madison and I also talked about how small actions make a big difference. Whether it’s repairing clothes, swapping items with friends, or just buying less — sustainability doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s about making those little changes and then sticking to them.
Madison’s tips? Buy secondhand when you can, repair your clothes instead of discarding them, and start asking yourself if you really need that new item before hitting “purchase.” The small wins lead to bigger changes.
Final Thoughts: How You Can Get Involved
NuSource is all about making sustainability accessible — for both brands and consumers. If you’re a brand looking to tackle excess inventory, Madison encourages you to reach out directly. She’s always up for a chat to discuss how NuSource can help you reduce your environmental impact and keep your clothes out of landfills.
And as consumers, we can all play a role in supporting circular fashion by buying secondhand, mending what we already own, and being more conscious about our purchases.
I loved chatting with Madison about her journey and the work that NuSource is doing to create a more sustainable and circular fashion industry. If you haven’t checked out their work yet, definitely give them a follow and start supporting brands that are working to make a real impact.
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