Today we’d like to introduce you to monica kelly.

Hi monica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was very disconnected from my body which resulted in a long battle with eating disorders, unsure how to dress my body, and I also had awfully painful periods. I thought everyone suffered the way I did. I starved myself for years – about 15 yrs old off and on until my early thirties.

Over that course of time, I got super sick – I remember vividly waking up in high school (junior and senior year) with the worst stomach pains. I would start my days by crying in bed, sometimes unable to move and go to school. I went to a million doctors, had a million tests, and eventually found out that I was digesting my food about 5x slower than the average woman. So when I finally ate again (me and my high school and even college friends were naughty) so we would smoke weed before going out to eat. I was not only finally allowing myself to eat, but I was overindulgenging because I deprived myself for too long. I

Initially, I wanted to be a nutritionist to heal my eating disorder, so when applying to colleges, I wrote about my eating disorder and how I healed it before even stepping foot on campus. Obviously, in my sweet brain I thought I had overcome it, but after my second semester at Springfield College, it came back in a bigger and more intense way. I was now working out plus starving myself so I got super skinny and felt like I was on top of the world. After all, most people when they wrap up their first year of college, they have blown up from all the partying and late night eating.

When I was in my twenties I found a gynecologist who helped me immensely. I learned that I had PCOS (was in the emergency room a few times for a cyst bursting) and she was determined to help me feel better. We’ve been working together for about 11 years now and I feel so seen and taken care of. I literally tell her everything so she can do her job even better.

But, coming from an Italian family – everyone was ALWAYS talking openly about my body to me, my mother, and doctors. It was like either I was too thin or too pudgy and so many doctors couldn’t find the root of the issue for the major flip flopping.
Generationally, my grandmother and mother deprived themselves of the richness in foods. They thought that they had to be super thin to get a man, settle down, raise a family, and be respected. This way of thinking was pushed on me and my sister throughout childhood into adult hood. I now know how to connect to my body and give it whatever the f*ck it needs or wants. I don’t limit myself or make myself feel bad about it. After all, I’m nourishing my beautifully strong body.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been smooth sailing for me as I have gone through so many challenges and obstacles along the way…

There have been times where I couldn’t get out of bed because of stomach pain, bad periods, or depression. As someone who’s done a lot to improve their mental health, it’s come in waves of positivity and growth vs down and dark.

I was the one who advocated for myself and really got the help/treatment from my team of healers – my gynecologist, PCP, acupuncturist, astrologer, medium, reiki healer and therapist to be where I am today. Without them, I don’t know where I would be or if I would honestly even still be here. They’ve picked me up when I was so sick, believed in me, saw my potential, and never judged me through the process of healing.

I’ve even struggled in the beginning and throughout COVID – I didn’t know if I could continue to get clients because I felt like a failure. I wasn’t trying hard enough, I was putting the business on the back burner as I looked for another hell of a corporate job.

I learned a shit ton in my corporate career days, as an EA I was supporting strong leaders. Some were wonderful and others were toxic and abusive. However, I always knew I wanted to do something on my own for myself to help women in similar situations that I was in. I remember having a conversation (a performance review) with my first boss in the corporate world. She was a CEO of a lux fashion brand – think super intense, always yelling, and underpaid her employees. I went into that conversation wearing an offwhite top with black horizontal stripes which emphasizes with strength aka you will and can get whatever you want if you go about it in the right way.

Building my business has been super challenging but so rewarding in so many ways. I’ve reconnected with people I’ve met in different stages, cities, and communities. I have a very direct and strong opinion (I’m a New Yorker after all!), and I understand that my way isn’t for everyone. But, it has helped so many women believe in themselves again, feel good and happy in their skin, and when they have a glow up it makes me so proud.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an image consultant based in Brooklyn. I help women transform their lives. Ultimately, I want to simplify their lives and make getting dressed and shopping easier for them. After working together, they are super clear on what works for them and why…

Through color analysis, body analysis, personal shopping, and closeout clean out/organization I educate, empower, and provide ease. I want to simplify their lives – you should go to your closet every morning and reach for something that is in your color season, accentuates your beautiful body while camouflaging your insecurities and makes you feel confident. I want every woman to walk outside into the world as their best self.

What sets me apart is that image consulting is ultimately bio individual- undertones, dressing your body, personal shopping, etc. is based on the individual. Are trends important? Of course, but what I care most about is feeling and dressing YOUR best – and that can look or feel differently depending on whats going on in your life. Let’s say you just had a baby and am unsure how to dress your new growing belly – I’m here to find the best pieces for that beautiful journey cheering you on.

I am most proud of not giving up, dimming my light and not listening to everyone who told me it would be impossible to start a business, be successful in it and make it. It’s not easy to be a business owner, obviously, but it’s what I was made to do.

What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are super exciting! I’m always looking for creative ways to expand and reach more women.

I am planning on expanding my business by speaking at schools and small businesses to positively influence young women, participate in bridal/bachelorette parties (by doing color and body analysis so everyone plus the brides can show up confidently), and host or co-host retreats (eventually).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.monicakelly.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monica.a.kelly/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-kelly-b09451195/

Image Credits
@nafisaskeie for all the photos