"You’re early," a voice boomed. Marco, a man whose family had dominated the wholesale game for decades, stood behind a counter stacked with packing slips.
The fluorescent lights of the Los Angeles Fashion District hummed a low, electric tune as Elena pushed through the heavy steel doors of "Vantage Imports." After months of selling thrifted finds from her bedroom, she was finally ready to play in the big leagues: buying branded wholesale.
Marco led her past the generic racks to the back of the warehouse. To survive in the branded game, Elena had memorized the three main avenues: