When I was a sophomore in college, one day I was pacing up and down my room and said to myself “I want to help women shop better” because I was always getting compliments on my affordable but well put-together outfits. It quickly became obvious that many women did not know how to do this or thought the only way they could look good was to break the bank. I mean, if you want to go Set it Off style, I’ll drive! haha.

So I started a blog in my senior year, first with articles, built an audience and slowly integrated style posts. After solidifying my presence, I took the leap to accept clients as a personal shopper. My clients requested styling tips and wanted more ways to get enough wear out of their new clothes. That led me to become a personal stylist in addition to being a personal shopper. I was still writing my weekly blog consistently. From undergrad to grad school and eventually my professional career, this experience taught me how to juggle multiple responsibilities effortlessly.

I had the pleasure of working with so many amazing clients, both men and women, specifically helping the everyday woman to enhance her personal style. Because I love weddings (always have), I integrated bridal styling to guide brides on how to achieve their dream wedding looks. Seeing a consistent boost in my clients’ confidence was the icing on the cake and it kept me going. My favorite part of being a stylist was when my clients got to a point where they no longer needed my services because they could trust their voice and had finally learned to shop in a way that truly reflected their personalities instead of being guided by fickle fashion trends—that was my goal.

After an enriching 8-years, I decided it was time to move on to something that I had been doing all along but intentionally put on the back-burner. I still reflect on this journey fondly and cherish it because it was a time of growth and personal fulfillment. Without any formal training, I learned how to be a stylist, offer my services and run a successful business.