Libby Alexander is more than a business owner—she is a leader who built a community around clothing, connection, and compassion. With her sister, Jennifer Wilshire, she runs Common Threads consignment shops—one in Denver and one in Boulder. But for Libby, it’s never just been about clothing. It’s been about creating a space where people feel seen, respected, and part of something bigger than themselves.

From the beginning, compassion has been at the center of Common Threads. Shopping for women’s clothing can be daunting—there’s only one of each item, and every shopper comes in with a different reason for being there. Libby listens closely, not just to her customers, but also to her employees. She believes in meeting needs with empathy, ensuring that both shoppers and staff feel valued. For her, compassion is not a business tactic; it’s a way of life that shapes every interaction inside the store.

Respect follows as her next guiding value. Libby often says that when employees feel respected, customers feel it too. That belief has helped her create a workplace that feels like family. Many staff members have stayed for years, and even as new employees join, there’s a stability and strength in the team. This wasn’t always the case—five years ago, during the upheaval of COVID, the store faced real challenges. Staff struggled with expectations, communication was strained, and the weight of uncertainty pressed on everyone.

That turning point came when Libby brought in business consultant Ashley Wick. Instead of expecting staff to change overnight, Libby worked with her managers to model open communication and respect. They learned new tools—language that built confidence, listening practices that reduced drama, and one-on-one check-ins that created real connection. The results were profound. Employees felt empowered, communication opened, and the sense of drama gave way to a culture of trust and collaboration. Libby herself changed too—she stopped eating lunch at her computer and started sitting with her employees, sharing food, stories, and presence. It seems like a small shift, but it redefined the fabric of the workplace.

Her leadership journey also shifted personally. After the loss of her father and years of nonstop grinding, Libby faced burnout. For the first time, she allowed herself to step back and create true work-life balance. She realized that success wasn’t about fueling stress—it was about being present, alive, and aligned with what mattered most. That clarity now guides her every day.

Common Threads has always gone beyond retail. The store is a hub of community. Through programs like “Trash the Runway,” where preteens and teens bring sewing machines to create their own designs, Libby and her team foster creativity, confidence, and connection. Some of these young designers have gone on to schools like Parsons, carrying forward the inspiration and skills they found at Common Threads. This work fills Libby with energy—it’s not just about clothes, it’s about cultivating the next generation of makers and leaders.

After 20 years in retail, Libby carries deep gratitude for the challenges and joys of her journey. Running the Boulder shop while Jennifer runs Denver has been both a joy and a partnership in retail resilience. Despite the inevitable stresses—staffing, daily surprises, the details of both consignors and customers—Libby shows up with humor, and love. She knows that flexibility is part of retail life, and she has embraced it fully.

As a longtime customer, I can say that Common Threads is unlike any other store. I’ve always found treasures there, but more importantly, I’ve always felt uplifted. The energy in the shop is inclusive and welcoming. Neighbors bump into each other, old friends reconnect, and a sense of community fills the space. It’s clear that the values Libby leads with—compassion, respect, and community—are stitched into every corner of Common Threads.

In Boulder, Common Threads has become more than a consignment shop. It’s a place where people feel loved, where employees feel proud, and where creativity is nurtured. For Libby, it’s also a reflection of her own growth as a leader—a story of compassion in action, respect in practice, and presence in every moment. And for those of us who walk through the door, it’s a reminder of what retail can be when it’s powered not just by sales, but by soul.

Discover more about Common Threads’ mission and offerings.

Learn more about Primal Leadership.

Curious how consignment works? Explore the overview on Wikipedia’s consignment page.

Kate Galt Primal Leadership Business Coaching

Kate Galt coaches and challenges leaders at all levels— from entrepreneurs to seasoned executives— to sharpen their vision, articulate key messages so they connect and inspire, and make decisive, strategic moves that drive real business growth. Based in Boulder, Colorado, she works with individuals and teams to strengthen leadership, improve team dynamics, and achieve measurable results.

Her coaching is rooted in Primal Leadership—because the strongest leaders move with instinct, command presence without force, and create unshakable trust through raw, real connection.

Like any driven person, Kate is always figuring out how to do it all—running a business, raising two kids with her equally involved husband, and still making time for the adventure that brought her to Colorado in 1998. Whether it’s snowboarding, mountain biking, or chasing an ultimate frisbee, she knows the best leadership isn’t just learned—it’s lived.

The bottom line? Kate makes good leaders great.

Curious about what makes her coaching style so impactful? Book a call and experience it for yourself at CoachTheLeaders.com.