Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenilee Samuel.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Most people know the frustration of wanting to look and feel amazing in their clothes, like the cool person we see walking by on the sidewalk, but not all of us know how to do that! After having four babies back to back and being on a tight budget, I was determined to learn how to dress my body in a way that was flattering (and disguised my ever-changing figure) and didn’t LOOK like I was on a budget. I started studying and learning how to dress different body shapes and nail people’s styles, which eventually landed me a job styling with Stitch Fix for three years. I worked there for three years, developing the skills to style men or women of all body shapes, seasons of life and professions, of which I never laid eyes on about 75% of them. I styled over 8,000 people and had many return clients. I could walk up to any person, and without even thinking about it, in about six seconds, flat have identified their approximate height and weight, body shape and inseam length! Getting hired with them from my area was a very unusual opportunity which closed right after I was hired, and was really the fast-track to learning the skills for the industry. When I quit working there and started J. Samuel Styling, it’s because I really wanted more person-to-person interaction with my clients, and I wanted to dig deeper into the education aspect of working with clients.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Gaining my skills has been a relatively smooth road, but building a business has not been. I’m from a smaller town near Houston, and the community here isn’t accustomed to the idea of personal styling, and finding my ideal clientele has been a bit of a struggle. However, I find that word of mouth & posting jobs on social media is the most powerful way to draw traffic.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about J. Samuel Styling – what should we know?
Even though I offer any variety of services that women need in regard to their wardrobe, my most popular package is a Closet Edit. In this package, I spend about 3 hours with a client in their home, help them identify their body shape and fashion-style, coach them through some style tips to flatter their shape, and then I create 25-45 outfits in their closet for them. I photograph/edit/post these photos on a Pinterest board for them, and create a targeted shopping list for their next-steps (possibly with me shopping for them). A person’s personal style is such an intimate reflection of who they are, which makes these Closet Edits such a meaningful time for both myself and my client. Every single one of them has expressed things like “I never would have thought to put that together!” or “I feel so confident in my clothes now, I really feel like I know how to dress my own body!” and “I didn’t realize I had so much to work with within my own closet!”. One sweet lady interrupted me in the middle of styling an outfit to whisper, “I hope you realize just how much you’re making my week!”. It’s so rewarding helping women rebuild their confidence in this area of their life!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband deserves applause for always watching the kids when I have to be gone to travel to fashion events or style clients, and all my friends/clients who’ve been so supportive!
Pricing:
- Closet Edit package- $200, plus travel if further than 15 miles
- For shopping or consulting- $45/hour
Contact Info:
- Address: Beaumont, TX
- Website: www.jsamuelstyling.com
- Phone: 409-499-0369
- Email: jsamuelstyling@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jsamuelstyling
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jsamuelstyling
Image Credit:
Me & Client, Lina, in front of Christmas tree.
Maternity styling with Rachel
Blonde: Deirdre F., client
Man: Client, Thomas T.
Flatlays: a few of my outfit creations for clients or social media.
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