Sponsored Sponsored content From Necessity to Treasure-Hunting

For Jim Lanahan, thrifting didn’t begin as a hobby. It was about getting by. Growing up outside New York City, the only child of a single mom who worked long hours as a nurse, money was often tight. Resale shops filled the gaps.

“I grew up around old stuff and hated it,” says the 52-year-old today. “I wanted Nintendo and G.I. Joes and new things. It wasn’t until much later in life that I grew an affinity for antiquing and thrifting.”

A self-described “chubby gay kid,” Lanahan was a bright student who excelled academically, became a top Boy Scout, earned a red belt in Taekwondo, and mastered the cornet. In high school, he discovered a natural talent for singing and performance.

A favorite English teacher introduced him to Broadway. “He knew people backstage who had previously gone to my high school,” Lanahan recalls. “It literally opened up a world to me. This is what I needed to do!”

Off to Broadway

Lanahan eventually landed in Manhattan with dreams of stardom, but hated auditioning. “You quickly realize there are 10 other guys who look just like you and can do everything you can do.”

Still, he persisted, landing roles in touring productions and spending years on the road. “The funny friend character was always my thing, and if they tap-danced, I’d get the job every time,” he chuckles. “Then I would come back home and love the security of a temp job. I liked making money. I liked being around my friends.”

That practicality led him behind the scenes, working in the offices of major Broadway producers and eventually running global musical tours. “I worked on every big show except for ‘Wicked.’ Not because I’m better than anyone else. I just have a solid reputation, and I was at the right place at the right time. I got very lucky.”

A life-altering pivot

Lanahan’s life changed dramatically in 2017, when his mother, Mary Jo, then 68, suffered a massive stroke that paralyzed the left side of her body. Lanahan became her primary caregiver.

During her 10-month recovery, the two lived together on the East Coast before relocating to Los Angeles, where Lanahan continued producing stage shows.

“Caregiving is the most exhausting job I never applied for. It’s just really emotionally difficult,” he confesses. Self-care became essential, and regular breathers in Palm Springs were part of that.

In 2020, Lanahan made a permanent move to the desert. He’s in Palm Springs. Mary Jo, now 77, lives in an assisted living facility in Cathedral City.

Building a following — and discovering Revivals

Long before, Lanahan had begun documenting his life on social media. When he started posting about caregiving, audiences responded.

His followers — known as Lanafans — now number more than 130,000. Roughly half are caregivers, and most are based in the U.S., with strong followings in the U.K., Australia, and the Philippines.

Needing to furnish his new Palm Springs condo led Lanahan to Revivals. He began regularly visiting the stores and filming short videos about his treasures. “I go every Saturday and hit up at least two of the four Revivals locations,” he says, adding that Palm Springs and Cathedral City are great for art, Palm Desert for fashion, and Indio for utilitarian furniture.

Known to Lanafans as Thrift Boss, he believes the desert is a thrifter’s paradise. Residents have collected amazing objects from around the world. Once they’re ready to part with them, shoppers benefit. “Revivals is the unique intersection of upcycling, volunteerism, and community activism,” he says. “I love the whole package. It feels like a department store — cleaner, nicer. I love all the volunteers. I know the managers at this point, and they know me!”

Lights, camera, action!

That mutual admiration caught the attention of DAP Health Chief Marketing Officer Steven Henke, who invited Lanahan to star in a new series of Revivals commercials inspired by his social media style.

The spots feature Lanahan riffing on his finds. “When you find something fabulous, it does have a soul,” he maintains. “I’m a little woo-woo about this stuff. Like, ‘Who owned this?’ ‘What’s the story?’ ‘What energy am I bringing into my house?’”

For Lanahan, becoming the face of Revivals feels organic. “I’m the cheerleader, a true fan of Revivals who is appreciative of it on many levels. It’s about the thrill of the hunt. It’s about bringing my community with me. And now, with the ads, it’s about exposing an entirely new audience to the love I have for the brand.”

---