The Stylist Studio: New Beginnings
Since, 2012, I have conducted one-on-one trainings with future personal stylists. I also occasionally trained local retail staff. I hadn’t actively pursued training as a major part of my business, though. Working with new and existing clients has always been the heart and soul of DC Style Factory.
Fast forward to 2016…I was chatting with my pal and fellow local personal stylist, Lani Inlander of Real Life Style. We were sharing stories about how much interest we had been getting from people looking to intern, shadow, and learn about our businesses. It dawned on us: What if we joined forces and created the ultimate training for personal stylists? Voila! The Stylist Studio was born.
Over the next year, we dug in, developed the interactive training, wrote a comprehensive manual, and secured locations at two of our favorite retailers in DC — Kit & Ace Georgetown and Betsy Fisher. We were a true team. Our synergy working together yielded a top-notch professional development program that offers area stylists-in-the-making something that no other image consulting class can — real-life, on-the-ground experience from two professionals. Who better to teach you how to work as a personal stylist than people who do it every single day?
Lani and I understand the DC market intimately. We know what clients want and expect working with a personal stylist, and how to deliver it. We have honed the services every personal stylist should offer. We have the know-how to style women of all shapes and sizes. And, we understand the complexities of running your own business. We wanted to incorporate this gold-mine of experience and information into a comprehensive and interactive training program.
We launched the first Stylist Studio this past January. The two-day training with seven future stylists surpassed all our expectations. As our trainees arrived, I could feel the room bubbling with excitement.
We learned that these women’s experiences and professional goals were varied. Some, but not all, wanted to become personal stylists like us. For example, one trainee was looking at opening a boutique with a personal styling component — a big trend in retail these days. Another trainee had completed certification to become a life coach and wanted to add a personal styling component to her business.
We covered everything from dressing different body types, deciding what colors work best on different skin tones, and developing client relationships. The goal was to impart knowledge we have amassed in our combined 30-plus years in style and fashion. All our trainees asked thoughtful, spot-on questions that made the weekend invaluable to the entire group.
We ended our two days together on a high note. I received an email from a trainee that confirmed we had hit the mark with The Stylist Studio.
“Thank you for such a great weekend. The training was so well done — it exceeded my expectations for sure. It provided us with the theory and “rules,” but also touched on many of the intangibles that, like in most industries, are really the differentiators and separate the good from the great.”
We are so thrilled to have worked with this group of women and are already developing next steps in their professional development.
Are you interested in becoming a personal stylist? Our next introductory training is already on the books — June 10 and June 11, 2017. We will be sending out more information in February. If you are interested or know of someone who is, feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@thestyliststudio) for updates on upcoming trainings.
See you in The Stylist Studio!