Hello World, this is ME!

I recently asked fabuloso tv host and reporter Jillian Leff  to critique my on air interviewing skills on Fashion Buzz and give me some tips to improve. Her assesment was spot on and she had some really great advice!  What stuck out to me most was her advice on showing my personality. She said “Try to inject more of your personality in the piece… We want (to see) your quirks too!”  This really hit home because that is actually one of my main business goals for this year.

I started my business, Trust in Tricia, as a wardrobe consultant in 2008 and quickly became aware of how much my image and my personality said about me, and that first impressions determined my credibility, trust worthiness and whether or not someone would hire me. I mean as soon as I say to people “I’m a wardrobe consultant” or “I’m a stylist” they automatically- and probably without even realizing- look me up and down from head to toe. Assumingly to say to themselves “She says she dresses other people? Well how well does she dress herself?”  Similar to when someone says they are a hairstylist, you automatically look at their hair, right?! It just happens! So initially I was very careful with my appearance and personality; I didn’t want to stand out too much but I didn’t want to blend in, I wanted to appeal to an older woman as well as a younger women so all would want to work with me. It actually wasn’t until this year that I finally felt totally confident in what I do and ready to let go; I had made business relationships, had clients, had a reputation- but most of all I had discovered my niche. I discovered what people, events, and places fit with my personality and talents best and was confident that if wearing sky high heels, bright nails, or admitting that I listen to rap music made someone not want to work with me or take me seriously as a stylist then that’s okay. There is a stylist out there that is a good match for them, as their are clients out there that are a good match for me, and that talent and personality niche is in essence exactly what makes people successful, not trying to fit a mold.  I have tattoos, I have piercings, I laugh extremely loudly at silly things and I have a tendency to swear like a sailor. But that is ME and I am ready for the world to see it! After all, how can I encourage my clients to take fashion risks and to let their personalities be reflected by their outfits if I am not practicing what I am preaching?!

*One of my attempts to put my personality out there is an album on facebook called “Tricia’s Tidbits” where I list random facts about myself. Check it out and tell me if you can relate! What else can I do to show the world who I am??