San Mateo SBDC
Treasure Paws Thrift
“Launching with SM SBDC assistance provided Treasure Paws Thrift with the roadmap needed to navigate complex state laws and secure strategic funding. They are a cornerstone of our success, and I frequently recommend their services to fellow entrepreneurs looking to build more efficient, profitable businesses.”
— Benjamin Lambright, Treasure Paws Thrift
About Business
Based in Burlingame, California, Treasure Paws Thrift is a non-profit retail business that reimagines the thrift industry as a powerful engine for philanthropy and environmental stewardship. Led by co-CEOs Benjamin Lambright and Oliver Jolis, the company utilizes a restorative retail model designed to transform the lifecycle of consumer goods. By challenging the “disposable” culture of modern shopping, the business takes donated items and meticulously restores their value, championing a philosophy that views goods as permanent resources rather than temporary waste. This sophisticated operation serves as a vital funding engine for the Peninsula Area Humane Society, offering a diverse inventory that ranges from essential professional attire to rare artifacts, such as a bag once carried by the King of Sweden.
The inspiration for Treasure Paws Thrift stems from a decade of non-profit leadership and a strategic partnership between two experts in community-driven retail. The journey began 15 years ago in the Bronx, where co-CEO Benjamin Lambright founded a high-impact literacy non-profit. After nearly eight years of success, the pandemic-related closure of New York’s public libraries forced a pivot, eventually leading Benjamin to California and a chance meeting with Oliver Jolis.
Recognizing Oliver as a premier retail operator—who had previously scaled successful thrift businesses in Austin to benefit animal rescues—Benjamin saw the potential for a new kind of social enterprise. Together, they pitched a bold vision to the Peninsula Area Humane Society, which led to the transfer of the organization’s existing thrift operations to their leadership.
The business was founded on the belief that strong profit margins and social impact are not mutually exclusive. By maintaining a highly efficient retail engine, Treasure Paws is able to fund its mission while setting a new standard for employee welfare. This success allows the company to provide industry-leading benefits, including 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for every staff member, regardless of their hours worked—proving that a well-run business can be the ultimate vehicle for both community compassion and professional stability.
Challenge
Launching Treasure Paws Thrift required navigating a steep regulatory learning curve, particularly regarding California’s complex compliance and tax requirements. Moving from New York meant mastering dense government paperwork and sales tax portals without the initial capital to outsource these tasks to professionals. Additionally, transitioning from service-based non-profit work to a fast-paced retail operation demanded a significant evolution in leadership, requiring a higher level of daily organizational discipline to manage inventory, payroll, and bookkeeping while maintaining the profit margins necessary to fund their mission.
Gameplan
Through specialized 1:1 advising, the SM SBDC helped Treasure Paws Thrift navigate a major financial hurdle. After discovering that their books had been mismanaged by an outside professional, the team turned to the SM SBDC, which offered a clear path to correct the errors. This support has been a lifeline, stabilizing their internal systems so they can stay focused on their community goals.
Results
Serving as a foundational resource for Treasure Paws Thrift, the SM SBDC provided the ‘incredible and comforting’ support necessary to launch the business, scale operations, and create new employment opportunities. Their guidance offered a comprehensive roadmap for navigating the complexities of retail operations and state compliance, creating a blueprint for success that empowered the team to streamline their financial systems and focus on their dual mission of sustainability and animal welfare.
