Styled Story Part II: Vision, Mission, and Purpose

Let's talk Style Struggles. 

By that I mean: 

• Jeans that only zip up half way after your second child (the first one fools you into thinking your body will bounce right back a few weeks after delivery).

• The outfit that's far too business professional for a casual meeting.

• Entering the fashion world and being exposed to just wayyyyyyy too much stuff (one could literally go crazy). 

• Did I mention the hoards of money we spend trying to navigate personal and professional life?

• How about the need to have clothing simply to relax in?

Well, my friends, navigating this struggle is not impossible, Trust me - I've done it!

After my Military career ended, I was in uncharted territory.

After my second son was born, I left active duty military service and became a full-time mom and wife. I lovingly prepared three meals a day for my family, along with snacks, and I snacked while the boys napped, when I was hungry, when I was bored, and just because. Does this sound familiar?

Though I wasn't extremely heavy, I gained an extra 17 pounds, and that weight and I grew quite comfortable with each other. 

After six months as a stay-at-home Mom, I realized a couple of things:

1. Being a Stay at Home Mother was more difficult than I ever dreamed.

2. Conversations with people other than my husband and small children were needed for my sanity.

3. It was time to find "Me" again, so I started school.  

Yeah, that about sums it up.

I embarked on my journey for a second degree in Business Management, and quickly realized that the flip flops and capris that had become so common in my daily life just wouldn't cut it in this environment.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with this attire if this is your style - feel free to own it with no judgement. 

It was just not me permanently. As I began work on my degree, I also began a direct sales career in the fashion industry to apply the concepts I was learning ( I love systems and details). Trust me - it's difficult to talk fashion in a "momdrobe". 

As I transitioned into both roles, I realized a few things:

1. I felt uncomfortable in my clothing.

2. I was unprofessional and didn't quite know my industry.

3. I was still holding on to a few more pounds than I wanted. 

So I did what I had been taught to do: Pile on the layers and put on a suit.

I had grey, black, brown, pinstripe box style suites, and more button up blouses than the law should allow.

I was "professional"

I was stuffy looking, a bit cold, and uncomfortable, but "professional."

Hmmmm........Really, what does that even mean? Does every professional dress the same? DO I need to look like everyone else? Does professional mean foregoing a personal message/statement? 

The answer is - how shall I say this..... Ummmmm..... NO.

While there are places and times that certain types of attire are most appropriate, "professional" is so vague. 

So here's my Ah-Ha moment: I realized that I needed to pay attention to my intuition and find a personal style that felt authentic no matter where I worked.

What if my profession was a trainer in a fashion industry? What if it was a Clinical Laboratory Technologist? What if I was a stay-at-home mom? Or a business consultant?

I decided to immerse myself full time in the pursuit of finding a great personal style for myself and in helping other women do the same.

Today, as a fashion merchandizer and the founder of Styled to Profession, I often answer questions about accessories, provide wardrobe suggestions, and conduct personal consultations. The history of fashion, textile variants, color science, and more remain fascinating to me.

I'm thrilled to take the next step in assisting professionals across the country by offering virtual style consultations and services for purchase through this site.

I love that I can assist others in discovering or rediscovering their personal and professional styles through life's transitions.

Looking forward to continuing our Styled Story together!