How To Start a Styling Business … The WRONG Way!

I’ve been doing this a long time, teaching stylists; we’re coming up on 13 years. According to Malcolm Gladwell, it takes 10,000 hours of practice to gain expertise in your desired field. That equates to working around the clock (no sleeping – just working) for a year and fifty-one days. Needless to say, I’ve far…

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Are You Making This HUGE Mistake In Your Styling Business?

“Don’t give up before the miracle happens.”   Last week, I watched some incredible videos my students created to share how they’ve transformed since joining Style Boss Academy. Their transformations had my jaw on the floor. I knew I made an incredible program, but damn, I really knocked it out of the park with this…

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How to Transition From In-Person Styling to Virtual Styling

I was probably five years into my business when I had a vision, and it was a vision I didn’t love. I pictured myself as a 40-something in Los Angeles running around the Beverly Center (a mall here in LA), carrying a TON of shopping bags for my clients, and I was freaking EXHAUSTED. What…

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How To Become A Virtual Personal Stylist

When the pandemic hit in March of 2020, many of my entrepreneur friends’ businesses went from millions of dollars to zero. My business, however, tripled in revenue that year. How did that happen? Because in 2016, I began expanding my styling services to include virtual styling. You better believe I was extra grateful for making…

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How To Create a Client Styling Mood Board

One of the most critical aspects of the personal styling process is presenting an inspiration board or mood board to the client before shopping on their behalf. Shopping without a visual plan (you both agree on) is a recipe for disaster at the fitting. So how do you create this visual plan? It’s simple really,…

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Do You Need a Degree To Become A Personal Stylist

I don’t know about you, but I grew up in a world where the mantra was, “go to school, get good grades, get a good job, and start a family.” That mantra never really sat well with me, but I didn’t want to upset the apple cart, so I did what I had to do….

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How Much Do Personal Stylists Get Paid?

Not everyone knows this, but working as a personal stylist isn’t like working a regular job. There are no set hours, unlike a “normal” job, and there certainly isn’t a salary. Well, unless you take on a “stylist” position at a boutique, and in that case, you’re just a sales associate with a fancy title….

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How to Use Social Media to Get Styling Clients 

If I told you I built a 7-figure style empire with virtually zero paid advertising, would you believe me? Well, you should because it’s true. When I first started my business, I had no money; actually, I had less than zero money. I’d just left my 9-5 job with no savings and no plan, I…

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4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a New Outfit

How do you feel about shopping? Do you love it or hate it? Whether you love it or hate it, you have to do it on a fairly regular basis. Shopping for food, clothes, items for your home – it’s a necessary evil, so you may as well be good at it, right? What I’m about to…

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Should You Change Your Style To Fit In?

Why is it that we get so attached to an identity that no longer serves us? Think about it. You’ll wear some less-than-fabulous attire, know you can do better, but get defensive when your appearance holds you back. You shout things like, “They should like me for me!” and “Being judged by your appearance isn’t fair!” Well,…

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Are You Hiding Behind Your Style? 🙈

Hiding vs. camouflaging, there is a difference when it comes to style. Weight gain, past trauma, and a lack of confidence often contribute to hiding behind big baggy clothes or an all black wardrobe. Your main mission when you are hiding is to become completely invisible . Stop doing that! I’m not asking you to…

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It’s OK to Want to Look Good!

Newsflash: It’s okay to want to look good. It’s okay to care about style and appearance. It’s not shallow and it’s not silly – it’s human nature. A lot of women are “rebelling” against style, thinking they are above it all. As one of my coaches recently said, “Anytime you work against human nature, you…

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Are You Wearing Too Much Black?

Back in my celebrity styling days, I dressed a lot of musicians. The lead singer would always get the coolest clothes. The band and backup singers would get to choose from a rack of all black. Makes sense, they aren’t the focus. They aren’t the “star” of the show. There was a time where I…

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FREE Love Your Body Style Challenge – June 21st- July 2nd

Body confidence is at an all-time low. We’ve spent a year and a half locked in the house hiding behind our computer screens, eating snacks, watching Netflix, and not going to the gym. Top that off with stress levels collectively being at an all-time high, and we’ve got the perfect recipe for the quarantine 15,…

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Style Therapy Makeover Experience Episode 8 {watch now}

Have you ever had someone straight-up not hold the door open for you? Like, you’re standing right there and nada. Well, I conducted a little experiment: My building has a doorman, and it’s literally his job to hold open the door for the tenants. I noticed that anytime I’d come in or out dressed in…

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Style Therapy Makeover Experience Episode 7 {watch now}

“Nothing ever fits me!” A common phrase amongst my clients. They say it whether they’re a size zero or a size 16. I’m here to tell you that no matter your size, there is something out there that fits you – it just might take a little extra effort to find it. In today’s episode…

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Style Therapy Makeover Experience Episode 6 {watch now}

It seems like you can’t talk about style without thinking about money. Think about it, have you ever spotted the perfect outfit but then immediately went to: “I can’t afford it. 💸” “I wish I could afford that. 😔” “I could never afford that!!” Or you said, “Screw it!” and went into debt in an…

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Style Therapy Makeover Experience Episode 5 {watch now}

Before the book deals, before the millions of dollars, before the brand partnerships, television commercials, and magazine features, I was just a girl with a dream of starting a personal styling business. I put myself out there and prayed that someone would take a chance on me. Today I can tell you that I will never forget…

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Style Therapy Makeover Experience Episode 4 {watch now}

I hate to play favorites, but … This might be my favorite episode of the Style Therapy Makeover Experience so far! If you’re not up to speed, I self-produced a reality makeover show based on my new book, ‘Style Therapy: 30 Days To Your Signature Style.’  I chose ten deserving women, gave them a copy of my book ‘Style…

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5/10/21

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Style Therapy Makeover Experience Episode 3 {watch now}

Yesterday I was interviewed for a podcast, and the interviewer had some questions about my “tough love” approach when interacting with my clients and followers. Listen, I’m aware that I’m not for everyone. I’m aware that not everyone connects with the passion and intention behind my rants, but let me try to explain: I have…

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4/24/21

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It’s Time To Leave Your Zoom Cocoon

For the first time in a long time, life is starting to feel somewhat “normal.” Note the air quotes because after a year+ of pandemic life – nothing is normal. But with lockdowns loosening and more people getting vaccinated, we are no longer Zoom prisoners. We are free to roam about the cabin, albeit masked,…

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Style Therapy Makeover Experience Episode 2 {watch now}

Last week I had my first gym workout in over a year. It wasn’t pretty. I swore I was still in pretty good shape from my evening at-home yoga classes, daily walks, and occasional at-home boxing classes – but I was wrong. I waltzed into that gym thinking I was The Rock but I was…

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How To Avoid Toxic Style Advice

How does the saying go? Opinions are like assholes; everyone has one. These days everyone and their mother is an expert, a stylist, or some sort of guru. Heck, even people who don’t have those titles are ready to hand out advice about on life and what you’re wearing. Before you start getting hurt feelings…

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Stop Following “In and Out” Lists

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article called ‘Skinny Jeans and 9 Other Styles That Date You’, and collectively we all cringed. I went live on Instagram last week to discuss it (you can watch it here), but here are my feelings in a nutshell: Stop following “in and out” lists – they are…

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Style Therapy Makeover Experience Episode 1 {watch now}

I was hanging out with a friend on Sunday night at my fabulous new penthouse apartment (long story, follow my IG stories for the latest), and she said something that gave me pause. She said, “You realize you’re living your dream life, right?” Was she right? Am I living my dream life right now at…

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Style Therapy Makeover Experience {Full Trailer}

Pretty sure everyone and their mama knows this by now, but ever since the show ‘What Not To Wear’ first aired, I’ve wanted my own makeover show on TV. I remember watching Stacy London do her thing on TV and thinking, “Eventually, this show will go off the air, and when it comes back as…

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Client Makeover Series Is BACK!!!

My most popular series ever in my YouTube channel’s history is, hands down, my Client Makeover Series. I haven’t posted a client makeover in a really long time because: 1.) They are tough to produce. Between finding clients willing to share their transformation in front of tens of thousands of people and the expenses involved. Putting…

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Style Therapy: 30 Days To Your Signature Style {BONUSES}

Two weeks ago my entire house flooded. I’ll spare you the details, but in a nutshell: Plumbing circa 1990 decided it was done! Nasty sewage water leaked from the third floor down to the first floor Things were ruined along the way So now my FRESHLY remodeled home that took me over a year to…

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Behind the Book: The Design Process {Style Therapy}

Have you ever felt like the most important person on the planet? I have, and it felt damn good! I experienced that magical feeling back in 2019 when I flew to New York to meet my book agent and editor for the first time. I’ll never forget walking into the lobby to see that MY…

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How To Get a Book Deal

Being a published author has been on my vision board for a long time. I put it up there without evening know how one goes about getting a book deal. As the years went on, I became more and more determined to become a published author. So I Googled, read books, and I called friends…

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How To Rewrite Your Style Story

Stories make up our lives, but sometimes those stories don’t serve us. The good news is, we can re-write those stories anytime we choose! Today I want to talk about style stories. The stories we tell ourselves that dictates how we dress. If you don’t like the way you look, maybe it’s time we take…

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Enter to win a Style Therapy Makeover Experience with Lauren Messiah

Did you catch me live today? If not, watch the replay on YouTube (click here). Not in the mood to watch a video? OK, then read on … I am seeking ten dynamic women who feel they deserve a little “style therapy.” If selected, you will go on an epic 30-day transformative journey using an…

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Why Personal Style Matters

Like it or not, style matters. We, especially women, are judged by our appearance. Wishing it wasn’t that way doesn’t change the facts. Michelle Obama said it best in her Netflix documentary ‘Becoming’: “Fashion for a woman still predominates how people view you, and that’s not fair, that’s not right, but it’s true. That’s when…

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How To Find Confidence When You Feel Overdressed

Back when I subscribed to Elle magazine, I would skip past the fashion editorials and head straight to E. Jean’s advice column. I’d eventually get to the style, but man, I loved reading her brutally honest advice more than anything else. I love giving advice, which works out perfectly because people are constantly asking for…

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‘Style Therapy: 30 Days To Your Signature Style’ Cover Reveal

It’s always been a dream of mine to become a published author. I have two distinct memories of when I KNEW I was going to make this dream a reality. Memory #1: I was visiting my parents in Virginia, maybe ten years ago. My mom and I were at Borders (remember that store); she was looking…

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1/19/21

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4 Sneaky Things That Are Ruining Your Style

Not everyone who wants to improve their style looks like a total disaster. Most of my clients look “passable,” meaning no one is going to throw tomatoes at them for being a “fashion don’t,” but they aren’t exactly style icons if you know what I mean. They like style, they have pretty good taste, the…

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How To Gain Style Confidence

I read this quote in a Forbes article, and it stopped me dead in my tracks. “The reason that so many people never fulfill their potential is not a lack of intelligence, opportunity, or resources, but a lack of belief in themselves.” – Margie Warrell This quote hit me hard is because I know what…

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Is It Weight Loss Or Is It Wardrobe?

The other day, I felt particularly cute, so I snapped a selfie and posted the picture on Instagram. I was immediately hit with comments and DM’s like this: “You look so tiny!” “No shade, but I just realized that you are really small.” “How do you stay so thin during quarantine?” While I am doing…

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4/8/20

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The Level Up Formula Style Series {Part 5}

We did it! We made it to Step 5 of the Level Up Formula Style Series; this is where the rubber meets the road, my friend. Before we get started, let us review the previous steps: Step 1: Make a Decision  Step 2: Commit To Yourself Step 3: Put Some Skin In The Game Step…

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4/3/20

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DIY No-Sew Face Mask Tutorial 😷

Two days ago Los Angeles received the following message from the mayor: “Angelenos should wear non-medical face coverings when in public. Face coverings can be made using a scarf or extra cloth and should be used in addition to physical distancing.” It looks like the rest of the world is following this recommendation because the…

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4/1/20

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The Level Up Formula Style Series {Part 4}

The Level Up Formula 5-Part Style Series is back! This week we’re tackling Step 4: Do The Work.  The definition of work is “activity involving mental or physical effort done to achieve a purpose or result.” But most people interpret work as being “grueling, painful, or stressful” – but guess what? It doesn’t have to be. I hate…

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3/31/20

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The Secret to BIG Money and BIG Style

>> WATCH NOW <<  Money is a very sensitive subject for a lot of people – especially right now. There is no doubt that what is happening with the coronavirus is impacting the economy. Stores are closed, restaurants are takeout only… essentially the globe is closed for business. During this pandemic I’ve seen both sides…

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3/25/20

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The Level Up Formula Style Series {Part 3}

I’m having a very interesting reaction to what’s happening in the world right now. And I fully believe it’s testament to the personal development work I’ve done over the past ten years because: I feel fired up, positive, and hopeful. Yes, even amongst the chaos, I’m like lets LEVEL UP! Level up on as individuals and…

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3/19/20

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The Level Up Formula Style Series {Part 2}

First of all, before we get started on Step 2 of the Level Up Formula, let’s address the elephant in the room: This Coronavirus pandemic is like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my 39 years on this planet. I feel like the world took a bottle full of crazy, and we’re all forced to go…

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3/19/20

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The Level Up Formula Style Series {Part 1}

Do you know what time it is? It’s time for a brand new Style Series! Welcome to the Level Up Formula 5-Part Style Series. Over the next five weeks, I’m going to share with you the five things you need to know to level up your style and, as a result, your life! Because what you wear is…

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The 6 Stages of Style Sabotage

I’m pretty sure you’ve heard this one before, but it’s worth repeating: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. That’s not the actual definition of insanity, but you’ve gotta admit it makes a lot of sense. Yet we still repeat unsuccessful behaviors and wonder why…

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Shopping Smarter: How To Curate A Winning Wardrobe

  Shopping: some people love it, and some people hate it. Growing up, I hated shopping, but somewhere down the line, I learned to love it. But even when I loved it, it didn’t mean I was doing it right. When I was in my mid-twenties, shopping was my primary source of entertainment. I shopped…

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1/21/20

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Strategies & Secrets For A Successful Closet Cleanse

Cleaning out our closets is something we all do, and it’s 100% necessary. Could you imagine if you kept every single garment you’ve ever owned? It would be cute to look at the kids’ clothes from back in the day, but just thinking about the clothes I wore in my 20s makes me want to…

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1/21/20

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Building A Wardrobe That You’ll Love Using Pinterest

I love Pinterest. It’s safe to say I’m addicted. It’s a much better way to pass the time than screwing around Instagram. Plus, it’s an incredible tool to help develop your style. I use it, and I teach my clients how to use it properly inside my course, Personal Style University. BUT my guess is…

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1/21/20

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How To Know If It’s Time For a Style Refresh

It’s 2020, the New Year is here, and if you’re like the people on my Instagram feed (cleaning out their closets, shopping)- you’re probably feeling compelled to bust out the “new year new you.” The new decade feels they are upon us, and people want change, and they want it now. So what’s the problem?…

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