Today I’m here to answer another Ask Lauren question: When it comes to style, is quality or quantity better?

This is an excellent question because it’s essential to consider when building a wardrobe. The answer might seem obvious, but let me explain why quality always wins.

First, let’s talk about the difference between quality and quantity. Quantity means having a lot of pieces in your wardrobe, whereas quality means having a few select pieces that are made well and will last a long time.

Now, I know it’s easy to get excited about new pieces and wants to load up your closet with a bunch of trendy items. But the truth is, fast fashion in moderation is not bad, as long as you practice discernment when shopping.

That means choosing pieces made well and won’t fall apart after one wash. As a stylist, I can tell when a sample from a store like Zara is made well and will last versus when it’s low quality and won’t hold up over time.

But the real trouble with quantity comes with fast fashion, which can be tempting because it’s cheap and trendy. However, these pieces often aren’t made well and won’t last long, so you’ll end up tossing them and contributing to the environmental impact of fast fashion.

On the other hand, investing in quality pieces might mean spending more money upfront, but it’s worth it in the long run. Quality pieces will last for years, which means you’ll spend less money over time because you won’t have to replace them constantly.

Plus, quality pieces are often more versatile, which means you can create a variety of outfits with just a few select parts. And when you need to add something new to your wardrobe, you can choose pieces that complement what you already have rather than just buying something because it’s trendy.

So, to sum it up, quality always wins when it comes to style. It’s better to have a few select pieces made well and will last a long time than a bunch of cheap, trendy pieces that won’t hold up over time.

I hope this answers your question about quality versus quantity in fashion. If you have a question, drop it in the comments below.

As a successful stylist and founder of Style Boss Academy, I have trained over 6,000 stylists to turn their passion for fashion into a profitable business. But there are certain things you need to “get over” quickly if you want to make it in this industry.

In this blog post, I’ll discuss the top three things stylists need to overcome to succeed.

Get Over Rejection

The first thing you need to get over if you want to be a successful stylist is rejection. Not everyone will like you or want to work with you, and that’s okay. You will receive “no’s” and rejections, but the more you become acquainted with it, the more successful you’ll be.

Remember that rejection is not personal, and it’s not a reflection of your worth or talent. It’s simply a part of the business. So, get over the fear of rejection and keep pushing forward.

Get Over Uncertainty

The second thing you need to get over is uncertainty. As a stylist, you’ll constantly be faced with uncertainty. You won’t always know how things will turn out, but that’s part of the excitement of the job.

Don’t let uncertainty hold you back from making a move. Trust your intuition and take calculated risks. If it doesn’t work out, come up with a different solution. Learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

Get Over Fear of Failure

The third and final thing you must overcome is the fear of failure. You will fail at times, but failure is feedback. It’s an opportunity to learn and improve.

Embrace failure and use it as a tool for growth. Don’t be afraid to try new things, take risks, and push boundaries. The fear of failure can hold you back from achieving greatness, so get over it and go for it.

To be a successful stylist, you must overcome rejection, uncertainty, and fear of failure. These three things are holding you back from achieving your dreams. Sacrifice is not personal, uncertainty is part of the job, and failure is feedback. Embrace these challenges and keep pushing forward.

Are you afraid to invest in your business? Does the thought of spending money on your business scare you? Well, you’re not alone. It’s a common fear among many entrepreneurs, especially those just starting. But here’s the thing, investing in your business is one of the key levers you can pull to increase your success. It helps you learn more, grow more, and shortcut more.

In this blog post, I discuss the three significant investments I made in my first three years of business and the ROI (return on investment) I received. I’m doing this post because I know how scary investing in yourself and your business can be, and I want to help you overcome that fear.

My first investment in my styling career was a one-day course that cost $280. At the time, it seemed like the most money ever in my bank account, and I was scared to spend it. But do you know what my ROI was? I later became the CEO and co-owner of that company. Not only that, but I also launched my career, which turned out pretty darn well. A $280 investment that scared me later turned into co-owning a company, being the co-founder and CEO, and making millions of dollars. I’m thrilled I spent that $280.

The second investment was $1,500 for me to join a mastermind for entrepreneurs. At this point in my business, I was struggling because my friends didn’t get me, and I didn’t have any other friends who were entrepreneurs. Joining this mastermind was a game-changer for me. I met my first business mentor, who brought in $25 million a year in his business. After two and a half years in this incubator program, my company hit the million-dollar mark, and I was in The Million Dollar Club for seven years. I was even the president for two years. A $1,500 investment paid off.

My third investment was $5,000 for one day of business coaching. One of the mentors that I met from my previous investment said that my confidence was super low when it came to business and that I needed to work on my mindset. He suggested a coach, and I talked to her. I’ll never forget the phone conversation. I was crying because she had just got it. She got all my problems and said, “Here’s how I can solve them.” My ROI on that investment was priceless. My confidence grew, and I was able to take my business to the next level.

The point is, investing in yourself and your business can be scary, but it’s necessary. Finding the courage to make those investments and start seeing that they pay off would be best. Once you get over that hump, it becomes easier to make investments, and you begin to see a greater return on investment. So, don’t be afraid to invest in yourself and your business. It’s the key to your success.

Have you ever wondered what qualities make your favorite celebrities stand out from the crowd and how you can apply these same qualities to your business? I have overanalyzed some of our most loved and hated stars to extract pieces of their magic that you can use to boss it up for your business.

Let’s start with Rihanna, who has a superpower that every business owner can apply, especially personal stylists – confidence. No matter what outfit she wears, her spirit is always on point. As a personal stylist, you have to be able to dress your clients to have that level of confidence as well. Take a little “Riri confidence” off the celebrity boss mode buffet and put it on your plate.

Next up, Oprah. I want to take a little Oprah money and authenticity. Oprah started as a newscaster, and when she realized she couldn’t be herself in that environment, she started her talk show, which changed everything. Her career became vast because of her authenticity and desire to serve and help people. When you’re authentic and filling, you get that Oprah money. So, think about how you can be true to yourself, be true to others, and truly serve while getting paid for it.

Owning your style is an excellent quality for any boss to take on. Sarah Jessica Parker, or you can think about Carrie Bradshaw and her style. All of her outfits were an accurate representation of herself and her authenticity. As a boss, how are you expressing yourself through your style?

Now, onto Kim Kardashian. Love her or hate her; you have to respect her business sense. The boss quality we’re taking from her is her shameless self-promotion. She’s not afraid to put herself out there and be judged. As entrepreneurs, we must take the same approach and not be scared to promote ourselves.

Next, Beyonce. What we want to take from her is her level of dedication. That woman puts it all in, with no room for mistakes. It’s like perfection; we saw this in her Netflix special, Homecoming. Beyonce rehearsed for months for a two-hour performance. As bosses, we need to put that same dedication into our work.

Kevin Hart is up next, and the quality we’re taking from him is his imperfect persona. He’s flawed and screwed up, but he’s coming back. As entrepreneurs, we will have moments where we get it wrong, and that’s okay. We’re just people too.

Last but not least, Kanye West. His ego and unnatural confidence are what so many business owners lack. We may not take it to Kanye’s extreme, but we need to know that we’re the best. As bosses, we need to be able to say, “I’m the best,” and become it.

Take a moment to think about the qualities of your favorite celebrities and how you can apply them to your business. Are you confident like Rihanna? Authentic like Oprah? Dedicated like Beyonce? Are they imperfect like Kevin Hart? Or do you need a little ego boost like Kanye West? Let me know in the comments which celebrity inspires you and how you can apply their qualities to your business.

As a stylist, you may find that no one is booking your styling services despite your skills. This can be frustrating, especially if you are passionate about your work. In this blog post, we will discuss five reasons why this may be happening and how you can overcome these challenges.

No one knows you’re a stylist.

The first reason no one may book your styling services is that no one knows you’re a stylist. It may seem obvious, but if you don’t tell people that you offer styling services, how are they supposed to know? Ensure your social media accounts clearly state that you’re a stylist and accepting clients. Post regular content that showcases your styling skills and how people can book you.

Lack of clarity around who you serve

Another reason people may not book your styling services is because you lack clarity about who you serve. Define who your ideal client is, and focus your efforts on doing them. This way, your potential clients will know that you specialize in styling a specific type of person. If you try to be a jack of all trades, you’ll become a master of none.

You’re not as good as you think you are

It’s essential to have confidence in your skills as a stylist, but you must also be willing to acknowledge that there is always room for improvement. The best stylists in the world constantly seek to learn and improve their craft. Don’t be afraid to take courses, attend workshops, and work with mentors to hone your skills and become your best stylist.

You are generic

Don’t be afraid to develop your unique style and approach to styling. If you’re copying what other stylists are doing, you’re not being original, and your potential clients will notice. Be intentional about the clients you want to serve and create a brand that speaks to them specifically.

Your pricing is all wrong.

Your pricing can make or break your styling business. If you’re priced too low, potential clients may perceive you as inexperienced or not up to par with their expectations. On the other hand, if you’re priced too high, you may price yourself out of the market. Research what other stylists in your area are charging and what services they offer. Use this information to create a pricing strategy for you and your target market.

If no one is booking your styling services, it’s time to take a step back and re-evaluate your approach. By being intentional about your branding, defining your ideal client, developing your skills, creating original content, and pricing your services appropriately, you can overcome these challenges and build a successful styling business. Remember, it takes time, effort, and persistence, but you can achieve your goals with the right mindset and approach.

If you’ve constantly received compliments on your style and fashion, you might be destined to become a personal stylist. As someone with over a decade of experience, I know what it takes to become a successful personal stylist. Discuss the five signs indicating you’re meant to be a personal stylist.

Sign #1: Obsessed with the Power of Style

Being obsessed with style isn’t enough, to become a parent would be best if you were. It would be best if you were passionate about the power of style, which means understanding how clothing can transform a person’s confidence and future. As a personal stylist, you’ll be working with real people – executives, moms, and entrepreneurs – and it’s your job to create a style that boosts their confidence and transforms their outlook on life.

Sign #2: Receive a Crazy Amount of Compliments on Your Style

If people constantly compliment you on your outfits, you might have a natural talent for creating stunning ensembles. A personal shopper can pick out cool clothes, but a stylist knows how to make those clothes come to life. If you’re getting compliments left and right about how you put things together, then you might be able to make a career out of it.

Sign #3: You Fantasize About Style

Do you daydream about putting together outfits or creating a new look for someone? If so, then you might have a passion for styling. Even if you’re not sure if you want to become a personal stylist, the fact that you fantasize about it means that there’s something there that you should explore.

Sign #4: You Can’t Stop Thinking About Turning Your Passion into a Profession

If you constantly daydream about how to turn your love for fashion into a career, it’s time to take action. Obsessing that you’re not where you want to be and constantly thinking about how to make this passion into a profession is a clear sign that you should pursue a career as a personal stylist.

Sign #5: You Know You’re Meant for More

Becoming a personal stylist might be your career if you’ve always known that you were destined for something more than just a regular nine-to-five job. You’re driven, motivated, and passionate about fashion – and you know that you can make a difference in people’s lives by helping them transform their style.

If you exhibit any of these five signs, you might be destined to become a personal stylist. If you’re ready to take the next step, explore your options and see where this career can take you. Remember, being a stylist is more than just being obsessed with fashion – it’s about understanding the power of style and using that knowledge to help others transform their lives.

Business cards are a waste of money!

As a stylist for 13 years, I’ve seen many aspiring stylists in my DMs asking about business cards. They want to know what they should put on them, how much they should charge, and where they should put their website. Honestly, none of those things matter right now.

Business cards are so outdated. Who even uses them anymore? I know some people will say they still use them, but I’m talking to stylists right now. Business cards are a waste of money, and you’re overthinking them when you should be thinking about something else in your business.

These days, people ask for your social media, specifically your Instagram. Recently, someone reached out to me looking for stylists to cast on a TV show. I have thousands of students that would be perfect for this opportunity. When she asked for their information, she didn’t ask for their website, email address, or phone number. She asked for their Instagram.

Stop obsessing over your website and business cards. Instead, start putting yourself out there in a meaningful way. Show up on social media and showcase your work. Talk about how you serve clients and transform people. That is the new business card.

I haven’t had a business card in years, and it hasn’t affected my success. I still make millions of dollars as an entrepreneur. If you really feel the need to have a business card, they have digital ones.

Here’s why I really hate business cards. They’re passive. Someone asks if you have a business card, and you hand it to them. They put it in their pocket or purse and forget about it. You’re left wondering why they didn’t reach out to you.

Instead of handing out a business card, be active. If someone asks for your business card, tell them you don’t have one, but you’d love to connect with them on Instagram. DM them and set up a time to talk. If they don’t have an Instagram, ask for their phone number or email and set up a time to talk.

Active business cards are for sissies who aren’t ready for business time. Stop wasting money on business cards and start putting yourself out there in a meaningful way.

Stop thinking about business cards and start promoting yourself on social media. 

I recently received a DM on Instagram asking how to start a YouTube channel on a budget, and I loved the question! So, I thought I would share some tips with all of you today.

First, let me introduce myself for those who are new here. My name is Lauren Messiah, and I’m a stylist, author of the book “Style Therapy,” and founder of Style Boss Academy, an online business school for stylists. YouTube has changed my life, and I can’t wait to help you get started on your own channel.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: equipment. When I first started my channel, I shot videos on an iPhone with no tripod, lighting, or fancy equipment. And you know what? Those videos performed better than my current, more polished content.

So, don’t worry about having the latest and greatest equipment. All you really need is a phone and a tripod, which you can find on Amazon. Additionally, you can use simple little mics that plug right into the bottom of your phone, or you can even film on your laptop’s webcam and buy a plug-in mic.

The most important thing is to create content that resonates with your audience. Just get started, and as you see what performs well, you can decide whether it makes sense to invest in better equipment later on.

One more thing: don’t underestimate the power of live videos. Sometimes, my live Instagram videos get more views than my polished YouTube content. So, don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works best for you.

To summarize, starting a YouTube channel on a budget is totally doable. All you need is a phone, a tripod, and maybe a simple mic. Don’t let the lack of fancy equipment hold you back from creating content that your audience will love. Just get started, and remember that the most important thing is to provide value to your viewers.

I hope you found this post helpful! If you create video content, please share your handle in the comments below so we can all check out your work.