A Rooftop, Some Friends, an Uber Wishlist and a Long Legacy

Let me start by saying that Heidi would have hated that I’m posting these photos. But, they are the only ones I’ve got and they remind me of a really lovely evening with some of my very first clients. Each one went from an acquaintance to a good friend. So I’m posting them. It’s also a reminder that we are our own worst critics.

Six years ago this month, I started Poplin Style. Jumping into an entirely new career based entirely on my feeling that I’d be good at it and it would make me happy, I announced to the world that I was now a Personal Stylist.

I never could have done this without the intricate, vast, surprising support system all around me. Yes, my husband is incredible. And, yes, I have great friends, too. Yet, surprisingly, it was the friendly acquaintances who took a chance on me that were integral to building this business.

When I decided to reinvent my career, I happened to meet my husband’s boss, Heidi. She insisted on using my services. In fact, my first client was a good friend, Lauren, and Heidi was my next. But, Heidi was different. She saw what I had to offer, the early incarnation of the Style 360. But, it wasn’t for her.

“I know what I like. I just hate to shop. I don’t want to go to the store together. Can’t you do something else?”

And the Uber Wishlist was born.

I poured over her Uber Wishlist for hours next to the pool on a family vacation. When I finally completed it, she was elated. And that kicked off wishlist subscriptions. Heidi subscribed to a monthly list for a year.

The rest is history.

We lost Heidi a couple of weeks ago, now. I’ve been thinking all about this post since that day. But, it’s taken me some time to sit down and write it.

Here’s what I’m taking away.

More Uber Wishlists!

The Poplin process is an intimate one. I often tell people that the consultation is really just an opportunity for a potential client to figure out if she's comfortable changing in front of me.

As a personal stylist in Seattle, my approach goes well beyond the current trends and into what the ideal collection is for each client. Using her online personal profile, her budget and the existing pieces in her wardrobe, we either head off to shop or I create an Uber Wishlist for her. Uber Wishlists consist of 20-30 items that work as a cohesive collection and coordinate with her existing pieces.

Periodically, I add more sample Uber Wishlists

One Client's Story From A-Z

First off, thanks for reading the blog, Dear Reader. As a reader, you know that I style women, primarily in the Seattle area. What you may or may not know, is exactly how it all works. I'm not the sort of stylist who selects pieces for someone and heads out the door. I don't swing by for an hour, size someone up and make recommendations.

Instead, my goal is to empower each client to understand her individual personal style as well as what pieces are ideal for her body type and her budget. Most importantly, I want her to enjoy getting dressed and feel confident in her look everyday. I want clothes to be a form of self expression that gives her the momentum to take over the world. All of this takes an investment from me and the client. And that investment pays off.

I thought you might like to see how it all works by focusing on one client. So, here we go!

Over $500 Worth of Poplin Services just for YOU.

Today I discovered a really lovely review on Yelp.

I view my role as a personal stylist to listen to the client and translate his or her words into a strategic plan for the client's personal style. I never want clients to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about their closet, their size or their budget. I certainly don't want clients to feel like I'm regurgitating the same information from client to client. Basics, layering pieces, etc. It's much more than that.

It's about a journey to feel great in everything you wear. To feel like yourself. Above all else, to know what looks good on you and how to achieve the most stylish version of you after our few weeks together have ended.

That's why, I'm giving away an Uber Wishlist.

That's right, a $575 value,