We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kendyl Leuck. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kendyl below.

Hi Kendyl, thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

One of my favorite things to do in the morning is pick out my outfit. When COVID hit that didn’t change. It just prompted me to start taking photos of them. I’ve been taking photos of my outfits weekly since the start of COVID in March 2020, which sparked an idea I’ve had for years: using my name as a pun for a business. As an entrepreneur, I’ve experimented with various ideas over the years—throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. It’s been a lot of trial and error.

That said, in the past year, I realized I needed a workbook for myself. Something to help me organize my closet the way I like, to identify my best colors and stick to them when shopping, and to understand my style and how I could evolve within it. Now, with hundreds of photos that I’ve saved, documenting what has worked and what hasn’t, I saw a need for a comprehensive guide that I couldn’t easily find elsewhere. And then it clicked: I should try image consulting!

I love working with people and helping them find joy in their fashion journey. The right outfit can spark this beautiful light inside someone, making them glow from within. Although I have 10+ years of experience in branding and the fashion industry, I knew that wasn’t enough to get started. So, after completing my Image Consulting certification through IAP, I began the process of branding myself, launching my website and Instagram, and developing my services and materials.

To attract clients, I decided to offer free sessions through the end of the year, and it worked! Unlike other ideas I’ve launched in the past, The Leuck Book gained traction immediately. In the first 24 hours, I had seven leads, and four of them converted to clients. I initially offered too many services, but through this early work, I began to refine what my offerings would look like. Side note, I think that’s key for anyone starting out, you don’t have to stick with what you originally launch. You can refine and edit over time. I received interest in wardrobe coaching, travel planning, and in person styling right off the bat. I also knew that everyone wanted color consulting, even though I didn’t feel entirely confident yet, but I understood it was essential to offer it.

Since I was self-funding The Leuck Book while working my full-time job, I aimed to keep overhead expenses low. I dove into as many free resources as I could find to learn as much as I could about color consulting. Offering color analysis for free created a surge of interest and allowed me to learn on the job with my clients, in exchange for a testimonial. It was truly a win-win.

By the time I completed my 20th consult, I knew I needed formal training to solidify my skills and credibility. After extensive research, I took a color consulting course through Style Academy International, and it couldn’t have been a better fit. I completed it at my own pace and was thrilled to realize that I already knew about 85% of the material. It confirmed that I was on the right track.

I officially launched The Leuck Book in August 2024, and since then, I’ve worked with almost 50 clients, offering services in color consultations, travel planning, virtual styling, wardrobe coaching, and style essence guidance. For the first time, I find myself finishing a Zoom call and thinking, “I love what I do.” It’s a feeling I believe everyone deserves to experience in their professional life.

I’m going to start charging for services in January 2024 and at that time, Im also hoping to launch my workbook to further support my clients!

Kendyl, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I began my career in men’s fashion, working as a Customer Sales Associate at Men’s Wearhouse right out of high school. It was a part-time job during college, but it also sparked my interest in the industry. After college, I joined Men’s Wearhouse corporate in their uniform division, where I managed marketing efforts for large-scale uniform launches across the country. Eventually, I felt ready for a new challenge and transitioned into the advertising space. For the last nine years, I’ve worked as a Project Manager, leading creative teams and launching products from initial concept to market with full-scale, 360° campaigns.

This background has been invaluable in building The Leuck Book. My experience in creating cohesive designs, understanding the customer journey, and tailoring marketing efforts has shaped the way I approach my image consulting business. I prioritize connecting with my clients on a personal level—something that I think comes naturally from my years of retail experience and working directly with customers.

Through The Leuck Book, my goal is to help clients achieve their fashion goals and leave them with tools they can continue to use. I want everyone to look at their closet and feel excited to get dressed, confident in what they’re wearing. I aim to be approachable and break the stereotype that an image consultant is there to judge or to tell you what not to wear. Instead, my focus is on helping clients discover what enhances their natural features and harmonizes with their unique style. This isn’t about throwing everything away—it’s about creating subtle shifts that can have a big impact on how they feel in their clothing.

Ultimately, I want my clients to feel empowered, to experience a sense of joy and confidence in their style choices, and to know that they can always approach me with questions.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best sources of new clients for The Leuck Book have been word of mouth and social media. I’ve relied on my network of friends, family, and colleagues to spread the word about my services, and I regularly post content on my Instagram account to reach a wider audience. Client referrals have also played a significant role—many clients share their positive experiences, which has led to a noticeable increase in new inquiries. This combination of personal recommendations and a strong social media presence has been crucial in building my client base.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my audience on social media has been a slow and gradual process, but it’s incredibly exciting to see engagement grow over time (even if it’s small). For anyone new to social media, my biggest advice is to think carefully about the user experience you want to create. Make sure you have a cohesive brand identity, with a consistent tone and voice, and post regularly. Developing content can be draining, but it’s worth the effort to build an engaged audience.

I use tools like Canva and Pexel App to curate and plan my content strategically. Each week, I review my analytics to see what’s working—things like posting times and popular content types—and adjust my strategy accordingly. It’s a continuous learning process, but staying adaptable has been key to my growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theleuckbook.com
• Instagram: @theleuckbook
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-leuck-book/

Image Credits

Women in white pants with feet up credit: Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels.
Wardrobe with plant credit: Photo by Ksenia Chernaya from Pexels.