She Turned Her Father’s Harlem Store Into a Modest Fashion Movement

Step into this heartfelt episode of The Oasis where Haqq sit's down with Kadjahtou Balde, the passionate force behind Modify Thrift- A Harlem based pre love thrift shop. Kadjahtou's story begins long before she ever opened her own shop—it starts with her father, a Harlem staple who ran his store in the neighborhood for years. When she stepped in to carry that legacy forward, she wasn’t just taking over a business she was continuing her family's legacy.

In this intimate conversation, she opens up about the moment she asked herself, What can we build with low overhead that still allows us to thrive? That question sparked the birth of Modify Thrift, a unique space offering modest, sustainable, pre-loved clothing for all women Her mission is rooted in sustainability, accessibility, creativity, and honoring the community that raised her.

You’ll hear how her upbringing shaped her identity, how sustainability became a core value, and how she turned her father’s Harlem hustle into a modern, purpose-driven business. This episode dives deep into themes of family legacy, faith, resilience, entrepreneurship, and reimagining what thrift culture can be. If you’re navigating your own path, dreaming of building something meaningful, or simply love a good story of grit and growth—you’re going to feel right at home here.

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#thriftshopping #harlemcommunity #modestfashion #muslimfashion #fashionhub

CHAPTERS:

01:07 - Intro

01:59 - Her Early Life

04:02 - College Experience

06:20 - First Job Insights

09:47 - Her Dad’s Business Journey

15:35 - Understanding Modify Thrift

17:43 - Dad's Reaction to Thrift Store Idea

21:10 - The Light Bulb Moment

24:09 - Green Light from Dad

27:50 - Meaning of Modify Thrift

30:34 - Sharing Her Journey Publicly

32:30 - Her Dad's Coolness

34:04 - The Modest Closet Refresh

42:09 - Curating Your Clothes

45:36 - Personal Insights

48:40 - Balancing Responsibilities

50:54 - The Muslim Community Impact

53:25 - What's Next for Modify

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