Meet Kim Crowley
I’m a Brit married to a Kiwi who emigrated to Australia 10 years ago and has a 6-year-old daughter. A balanced life is the most important factor to me, I want to do it all but realise I can’t do it all at the same time, so a balanced approach is my mission
We all have previous chapters in our stories – Tell me about your working life/business experiences before now? |
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| I worked as a Fashion Designer for around 15 years in both London and Sydney, designing for leading international brands such as H&M, ASOS, Marks & Spencer, Nordstrom, Myer, David Lawrence, etc. so I understand the fashion industry and garment construction intimately.
I up-skilled to become a personal stylist about 7 years ago and this diverse global experience enables me to impart expert advice to solve any fashion problem. I phased out design and phased in personal styling which I now do full time (well, around school hours!) |
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Please provide a snapshot of your business |
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| I save my clients time, money, and stress when dressing and shopping, leaving more headspace for other things in their life. I do that by providing bespoke personal styling services for real people by creatively optimising what you already own.
I show people that it doesn’t matter what their size, shape, budget, or lifestyle, you can and WILL feel confident about the way you look. |
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Assuming you are now in “Your Next Chapter”, what led you here? Tell me about your purpose, your why, the difference you want to make, who you are called to serve? |
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| My purpose is to inspire and empower people to get out the door quicker every morning, feeling better in their clothes, and it’s the FEELING part I’m most interested in improving.
I understand that self-image is deeply intrinsically linked to our self-worth, self-esteem, and self-confidence. I want to raise up each and every one of my clients with honesty and positivity ensuring they learn not just the tools they need in their style toolbox, but to learn a positive new narrative about themselves so they can uncover their best self. |
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What did you find most challenging about getting started/moving in a new direction? |
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| Initially working across 2 roles, designing and styling, whilst being a new mum, then giving up a healthy salary in design for the unknown – very scary.
Self-doubt and confusion about where/how to start but I had to listen to that other voice in my head that was driving me to set up my business and make sure that became louder to drown out the doubt! Mindset changes everything. |
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What have you found most fulfilling? |
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| Personal styling should be Personal Stylist and make my smile should make me smile | |
Have you experienced self-doubt? What causes it to flare and how do you work through it when it hits? |
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| Of course! I read my testimonials – as suggested by yourself – and also this quote was a game-changer for me:
“There are people out there who are less qualified than you, doing what you want to, and the only difference between you and them is that they had self-belief”. |
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How do you feel you have grown since you started? |
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| I feel like I understand my niche, my self-worth, my brand, and also what makes me happy in terms of achieving a balance in my life.
Initially, I had NO idea what starting my own business would entail, the HUGE learning curve can be frustrating at times but I’ll realise I’m tenacious but hate the technological barriers I come up against! |
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What has been most effective for you when it comes to sharing your message and attracting clients? |
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| When it’s relatable fashion advice & solutions that work for the real world, showing I understand my client’s needs. When I’m clever and think outside the box to show that I’m an expert. | |
Have you developed any particular habits/strategies that facilitate getting things done in your business? |
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| I’ve started to make peace with excel spreadsheets. For years I have been against using them as I felt ‘boxed in’ as a creative person, but lately, the busier I’ve got, I’ve realised I need to organise my thoughts in one place.
Mind maps are brilliant and I love a good priority list! |
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Why do you feel women in the 40’s and beyond make fabulous entrepreneurs? |
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| Because I believe that’s when we come into our own. We’ve had space to grown and understand who we are, what we need as well as completing our 100,000 hours to become a pro in our field. We’re experienced, but not old. We’re realists, not naive. We’re prepared to work hard but we no longer take any crap. | |
What would you say to other women who are standing on the edge of their own Next Chapter, not sure if they can take the leap? |
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| Just start. It will never be a perfect time but you have to start somewhere.
Yes, you’ll make some mistakes along the way but that’s all part of this incredible journey – YOUR journey. |
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What’s next for you? Share your vision! |
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| To shatter the norm and disrupt the consumerist-dominance of the fashion world.
I want to work more and continue to diversify my business. There are SO many types of people I can help and I want to tap into ALL of them because I don’t want anyone to struggle with their self-worth. I’d love to host large events teaching people how to become personal stylists or help them with how to dress/shop efficiently. Maybe write a book but perhaps the above would satisfy that need to ‘produce’ something? |
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| When I’m facing something new and challenging I… | |
| Go for a run with thumping music to remind me how strong and agile I am. | |
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I know my greatest strengths are… |
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| My drive to help people feel better in their clothes. | |
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The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is… |
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| To believe in me. | |
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One of my favourite books is… |
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| Any autobiography – I love learning about people. Or Vogue of course 😉 | |
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My favourite Podcast is… |
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| Yours or Marie Forleo and her hair! | |
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My favourite business tool or resource is… |
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| Lately, it’s Mail Chimp – I’ve just taught myself and I love that it directly connects me with my inspiring clients. | |
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My favourite quote is… |
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| The grass is only greener where you water it. | |
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Not many people know that I… |
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| met and married my husband after only 9 months of meeting and the fact we lived on opposite sides of the world for some of that made ‘dating’ a little more challenging (and the first time I met his folks was the night before our wedding!). This taught me to trust my instincts which has been another great lesson to take into my business. |
You can connect with Kim here.
