Meet Katie Reinhart | Founder of Refound Goods

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Reinhart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I’ve always had a passion for interior design, especially finding unique pieces that really make a space stand out. I love the thrill of finding vintage or pre-loved pieces at a great price. But I realized that for a lot of people, including myself, the process of finding these gems wasn’t always easy, safe or enjoyable. That’s what inspired me to create a platform where shopping and selling pre-loved furniture could be easier than buying new.

There are already so many beautiful, well-made pieces of furniture in circulation. The waste from new furniture is staggering – the EPA reports that over 12.1 million tons of furniture are thrown away annually with 80% landing in landfills. I wanted to promote a more sustainable way to furnish homes. Plus, vintage and pre-owned pieces bring so much character to a space, giving it that one-of-a-kind vibe with long lasting quality items that are hard to replicate with mass-produced items.

At the same time, I saw a need to build trust in the process. Many people love the idea of buying secondhand but worry about the safety, hassle and potential scams on other platforms like Facebook Marketplace. I wanted to eliminate that stress by creating a marketplace where every transaction is secure and quality items are vetted with local sellers – so you can feel confident you’re getting something truly special.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Refound Goods is all about making it easy for people to find beautiful, high quality, pre-loved furniture and home decor. What sets us apart is not only the trust and convenience we bring to secondhand shopping—through verified items, secure payments, buyer protection guarantee and delivery assistance—but also the amazing local sellers who are part of our community. Whether they’re professional refinishers, thrifters, or collectors they’re uncovering the gems that everyone wants. By purchasing from them, you’re not just finding something unique—you’re also supporting local small businesses and embracing sustainable consumerism.

I’m most proud of the community we’ve built in such a short time. Every seller and every piece has a story, and I love that we’re helping people bring those stories into their homes.

We’re still at the beginning of our journey, having just launched on September 12th, 2024. Every day is a learning experience as we navigate the ups and downs of starting a business. There have definitely been challenges—figuring out logistics, building a trusted platform, and carving out space in a crowded marketplace—but we’re embracing the process and the customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive!

The biggest lesson so far has been learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable. On a daily basis I’m questioning, learning and putting myself out there. It can be scary but also so fulfilling.

At the heart of it all, I want readers to know that Refound is more than just a marketplace—we’re bringing the Denver and Colorado community together to find great, one-of-a-kind pieces for their homes. It’s about connecting people with each other and supporting a shared passion for not just beautiful furniture but also a more sustainable way to furnish our homes. We’re creating a space where people can find unique items and shop with confidence, knowing they’re getting something truly special.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many amazing places in Denver and Colorado. Here are some of my must do activities:
– Go thrifting and vintage shopping in town – some of my favorite stores include Modern Nomad, Afterglow, Antiques Etc, Tennyson Street Warehouse, SecondLove Tennyson and just wandering down Santa Fe Arts District to see what you can find.
– Head up to the mountains – I love being in nature and the mountains in Colorado are so beautiful. Enjoy a hike in Golden or Boulder or take a day trip up to Breckinridge.
– Eat at some of my favorite spots – Safta, Tavernetta, Barcelona Wine Bar to name a few!
– Hop on a bike and cruise Cherry Creek Trail and stop at Little Man for ice cream and REI to see if you can find any fun items for your next adventure.
– Hang out in some of the beautiful parks like Sloan Lake or Wash Park
– Spend time in the pocket neighborhoods like RiNo, Berkley and South Broadway – each has a different vibe full of fun shopping, restaurants and easy strolling
– Go to a concert at Red Rocks, it’s the most beautiful place to watch live music in the world!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so fortunate to have such a great support group surrounding me – without them, this would have never been possible. For anyone who has embarked on building a business, you can appreciate just how vulnerable the experience is, surrounded with so much uncertainty and ups and downs. It has been so beneficial having friends and family (as well as the Refound community) to keep me motivated on the down days!

I have to give a huge shoutout to my husband, Jon. He’s been my biggest cheerleader and has jumped in wherever he can to help with the business, from brainstorming ideas to handling the less glamorous tasks. His belief in me and Refound has meant the world.

I also want to acknowledge my incredible friends and family. From joining meetings to offering advice on design, testing our website and attending events with me – I wouldn’t be able to do it without the support of these amazing individuals. It truly takes a village, and I’m lucky to have such an amazing one behind me.

A special shoutout to the Refound Founding Sellers which is our initial cohort of 25 sellers who believed in the idea, in us and saw value in a better way to shop pre-owned furniture. You can see some of them featured in our photos: Serpentine Lines, Siren Decor, Den Styling and Golden Gal Rugs!

Website: https://refoundgoods.com/

Instagram: @refound.goods

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refound-goods

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560510316142

Image Credits
Serpentine Lines.jpeg – Image credit – Serpentine Lines (Refound Seller)
Den Styling.jpg – Image credit – Amanda Proudfit and Den Styling (Refound Seller)
Siren Decor.jpg – Image credit – Fern and Bloom Denver and Siren Decor (Refound Seller)
Golden Gal Rug.jpg – Image credit – Golden Gal Rugs (Refound Seller)