We were lucky to catch up with Tina Schwahn recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tina, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

The Story Behind My Mission: Styling for Real Women

When I left the world of music education, I found myself in a bit of a tailspin, wondering what my next step would be. It wasn’t until a couple of friends gave me a gentle nudge that I decided to channel my thoughts into a blog dedicated to women in midlife. Around the same time, I dove into a job with a direct sales clothing company that revolved around the party plan business model.

As I crafted blog posts and shared my journey, my social media feeds filled up with style influencers living what seemed to be perfect lives. Perfect wardrobes, perfect bodies, perfect homes—you name it. And amidst all this “perfection,” I couldn’t help but think, “Who’s out there representing real women?” That question ignited something in me.

I’ve been through it all—divorce, single parenthood, menopause, and with it the dreaded weight gain, and the challenges that came with the COVID pandemic. I know what it feels like to grapple with self-image, to feel fat and frumpy, and to struggle with dressing a body that’s changing. In midlife, we’re often stuck in this awkward place: not wanting to look like we’re trying too hard to be young, yet not wanting to mirror our mothers or grandmothers.

As I connected with other women, it became clear: I wasn’t alone. So many women struggle with curating a wardrobe that fits their changing body, but also fits their lifestyle now. I also realized that while my clothing sales business had its merits, it wasn’t enough. I didn’t just want to sell clothes; I wanted to empower women. I dreamed of helping them clear the chaos from their closets, crafting wardrobes that truly reflected their lives and bodies in this moment. I wanted to guide them toward loving their current selves, embracing their unique shapes, and discovering new ways to style themselves.

So, I made a bold choice—I left the clothing company and took the plunge to establish myself as a personal stylist. To ensure I could truly serve my clients, I enrolled in the Global Style Academy to learn the “how” behind my “why.” Just a year ago in September 2023, I embarked on this journey, and I’ve been on an exhilarating ride ever since.

Working one-on-one with clients has only solidified my passion and purpose. Due to beautifully unique shapes and sizes, many of the incredible women (and some men) I work with can’t simply walk into a store and grab items off the rack. They need the trained eye of a stylist to help them curate their wardrobes, discover their unique signature styles, and elevate their looks with fresh pieces.

One unforgettable moment was with a client who arrived to her VIP style remake feeling defeated and unworthy of the time and investment in herself. She almost didn’t make it to her appointment! But after just 40 minutes of trying on clothes, her perspective shifted. She began to see herself reflected in a new light, realizing that she could find clothing that not only fit her new figure but also aligned with her aspirations in life and career.

In just a year, my “why” has evolved into the three pillars of my styling business: 1. Clear the Chaos, 2. Love the Skin You’re In, and 3. Have Fun Getting Dressed Again.

I’m just getting started, but the transformations I’ve witnessed in my clients are nothing short of magical. I believe every woman deserves to feel confident and fabulous, and I’m here to help them on that journey.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I didn’t begin in personal styling—I had a corporate career for 22 years and then was a music educator for 13 years. After leaving that career, I felt a bit lost until some friends encouraged me to start a blog for women in midlife. That led me into direct sales for a clothing company, but I quickly realized my passion wasn’t just about selling clothes—it was about helping women feel good in the bodies they have right now.

Social media was full of influencers with “perfect” lives, and I wondered, “Who’s representing real women?” Women like me, who’ve experienced menopause, weight changes, and the frustration of dressing a midlife body. I wanted to create a styling service that was real, size-inclusive, and budget-friendly, so I left the sales job and trained at Global Style Academy to launch Real Style for Real Life.

My work centers around three pillars: 1. Clear the Chaos, 2. Love the Skin You’re In, and 3. Have Fun Getting Dressed Again. I help clients declutter their closets, embrace their bodies, and rediscover the fun in getting dressed. Most of my clients need more than just a quick shopping trip—they need a trained stylist to help them create a wardrobe that works for their lives today.

What sets me apart is my focus on real women. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all fashion, and I’m proud to offer accessible, personalized styling for women of all shapes, sizes, and budgets. Watching clients transform—from feeling insecure to stepping into their confidence—reminds me why I do this. My mission is to help women feel amazing every time they get dressed, no matter where they are in life.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

For me, joining a local networking group and the chamber of commerce has been the best way to gain new clients. As a former teacher, I never had to seek out “clients”—students were required to come into my classroom. So, when I started my styling business, networking was completely foreign to me. But joining my local CenterSphere Chapter and the West O Chamber of Commerce put me in front of the right people. It helped me learn how to speak confidently about my business, build relationships with other business owners, and become more involved in the community in a new way.

Now, I have a broad network of people who “talk behind my back”—but in the best possible way! When they hear of someone looking for a personal stylist, they recommend me. A close second to networking is word-of-mouth referrals. I always strive to go above and beyond for my clients, so they’re happy to refer me to friends and family, and their positive Google reviews and testimonials have been a huge help.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

At my age, there have been many pivots. Career-wise, as well as personally, I’m in what I call Act 3. I started in corporate America after college, despite earning a degree in Music Education. I initially planned to teach, but substitute teaching didn’t pay the bills. I found myself working in customer service for an insurance company, and as I climbed the corporate ladder over 22 years—eventually becoming a project manager in IT—I realized that while I was good at it, nothing about that career fed my creative soul. My personal life was also struggling during this time, as I became a single mom of three, juggling the demands of work and family.

But throughout my corporate career, I was also the volunteer choir director at my church, and that was where I truly came alive. Music was my passion. When I married my wonderful husband, he could see how unfulfilled I was in my corporate career, and he encouraged me to make a change. With his support, I decided to go back to my first love—teaching music. It wasn’t easy. I had to return to grad school to renew my teaching certification, and at 42, I completed student teaching and finally landed a part-time position as an assistant choir director at a local high school.

I loved teaching and learned so much from working under one of the best choral directors in the area. But my dream was to start my own program. That dream came true when a new middle school opened, and I was given the chance to build the music program from the ground up. It was both daunting and exhilarating, and I remember one of my mentors telling me, “Just imagine what you want it to be and do whatever it takes to make it happen.” I wasn’t sure how I’d do it, but that advice stayed with me. Through late nights, weekends, and leaning on my network of fellow teachers, I figured it out—and built a thriving program that I was incredibly proud of.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Overnight, teaching music became nearly impossible. Choir was labeled a “super-spreader” activity, and suddenly, I had to teach singing over Zoom, which doesn’t work when only one voice can be highlighted at a time. I quickly learned new technology to create virtual choirs and lip-sync videos, but the joy was gone. When we returned to in-person classes, the energy was different. Teaching masked and socially distanced took the fun out of singing, and my students seemed to have lost their spark. I was giving myself pep talks just to get through the day.

That’s when I knew it was time for another pivot. My husband, once again my biggest supporter, suggested I leave teaching and take time to figure out what was next. It was hard to let go of an identity I’d spent years building, but I knew I couldn’t stay in a profession that no longer brought me joy. After some soul-searching, I stumbled into personal styling—a career that allows me to combine my creativity, passion for helping others, and love of fashion.

It’s been a winding road, but I’m still using that advice from my mentor: “Imagine what you want it to be and do whatever it takes to make it happen.” Now, I get to help women (and men) clear the chaos from their closets, embrace their bodies, and have fun getting dressed again. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to see where it leads next.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tinafayeschwahn.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realstyle_reallife/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinafayeschwahn/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-faye-schwahn-personal-style/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tinafayeschwahnpersonalstyle

Image Credits

Stacy Ideus Photography

Vanessa Mitera Photography