Salud 2016!

As I look back and reminisce over 2016, I still can’t believe everything that’s happened! This year I have been finding out a lot about who I am, and because of taking a huge leap of faith career-wise I am more confident than I have ever been. Not only have lost 15 lbs. (nowhere near my goal weight, but still!), I am much more self-assured and willing to take chances. But before I go on, I guess I should go back to the beginning…

I have wanted to become a personal stylist since college, well over a decade ago, but I never knew how to go about becoming one. I used to be someone who really wants to take chances, but instead I fill my head with so much self-doubt that I just give up on them. My biggest concern was that Personal Styling is a relatively new field of business; it started in the 90’s. There’s no university course for it, so, the best way to succeed in this new field is to either work in retail or assist an already established personal stylist.

Jump to 2014. I had started a lifestyle blog and while it was fun (and very time consuming), I knew I didn’t really want to make a career of it. But blogging opened up some amazing doors. I met Rosana Vollmerhausen, who is the owner of DC Style Factory, at one of her first Style Workshops and about a year later I approached her for stylist training. Yes, it took me that long to gather up enough courage — remember the whole filling my head with self-doubt issue? After training with Rosana, I became a personal stylist with DC Style Factory, one of the top personal styling companies in the D.C. area. To say I am elated I took this chance would be the understatement of the century!

Rosana and Me, May 2014

While working alongside Rosana, I witnessed firsthand what it takes to become a successful personal stylist. Your day is never boring, you are never in one place for more than a couple of hours, and although it’s a very fun job, it is very hard work. Apart from pulling clothes, running around lugging bags of clothing to donation centers, and handling each and every one of your clients’ needs, the one-on-one relationships I build with my clients is hands down the best part of the job. Style is not superficial. It is a very powerful tool that can help you put your best foot forward in life, and to be able to help them on their style journey and help them become more confident makes it all so worthwhile.

Not only do I get to work with some amazing clients, I also have been afforded the chance to post for Alexandria Stylebook. This platform has boosted my clientele immensely and the ability to collaborate with such strong and powerful local businesswomen is seriously a dream come true! One of our very own clients is the Editor! I have built some amazing relationships working with these boutiques. One of the biggest highlights of my year was an editorial test photoshoot I did with local photographer Zoltan van Heyningen and local hair and make-up artist Audrey LeFevre this past November. I pulled the shoes for the shoot from The Shoe Hive, not only because of their ridiculous selection, but because of the relationships that we have built with Elizabeth and Christen.

Another amazing opportunity I had was a post I did on the sheath dress. One of the things I love so much about the clothing boutiques that are a part of Alexandria Stylebook is that they offer pieces for more than just one type of woman, which resonates well with our clients. I styled a sheath dress from Kiskadee on three different body types and this post alone brought in so many new female clients!

All I can say is quit being scared and take those chances…especially the ones that have been on your mind for over a decade! I cannot wait for what 2017 has in store and I am utterly grateful to my family, friends, and anyone who has helped me along the way!

For more information about styling please contact me at Marisa@dcstylefactory.com!

  • The latest from Marisa
Marisa launched a personal style blog several years ago and within a year had gained a loyal following of thousands of readers. She parlayed that stint as a style blogger into her own personal styling business. She trained with DC Style Factory and since then, has worked one-on-one with clients; styled marketing photoshoots for local designers; and partnered with local businesses and retailers as a stylist for fashion fundraisers. She is now also working at Mint Condition.

Mint Condition stocks an ever-changing inventory of current women’s clothing, handbags, shoes and jewelry by top designers – all in a fresh boutique atmosphere. Come see why we've been named the DC Metro’s Best Consignment Store by Washingtonian, Northern Virginia, Virginia Living Magazines and the Washington Post Express and featured in Southern Living Magazine as one of Old Town's best boutiques. 

Visit our fabulous 2,000 square foot location along the brick-lined streets of charming, historic Old Town, Alexandria.

www.shopmintcondition.com

Mint Condition                       
103 S. Saint Asaph Street
Alexandria, VA 22314             

703.836.6468        

 

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