We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daphne Marie a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Daphne , thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I never planned to be a fashion stylist. I literally fell into it. I was a part of an organization that had a National presence that promoted positive body images. I was a part of the National Movement. The organization was based out of Atlanta, GA. When they decided to spread across the country I was chosen as one of the lead people to form a group of peers in my city to help with the movement’s growth. Being a part of the organization we had photo shoots quarterly. So I was “dressing” myself at that time. And I say dressing because at that time that what I knew it to be. But what I was actually doing was creating looks (styling). I was good at it. Good enough that others started asking me to help them. So I began researching and boom, I worked more towards being a stylist. Listen, I dressed like a tomboy, what we now refer to as casual until I was about 24. I didn’t wear heels on a regular until I was 24. Styling came so effortlessly to me that I knew it was something I had to do. Again, it wasn’t on my list of things I wanted to be when I grew up. Over the years I’ve evolved and I have helped many people transform their lives and build up their confidence by developing their own style. A style that reflects their personality. I mean, that’s what Personal Style is all about. The best part of what I do is when a client comes back to me and expresses how their confidence has changed, their self esteem has been boosted, and now they love getting dressed versus being depressed about what’s in their closet.

Daphne , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

BlendN’Trendz Style Coaching is my brand. I’m launching BlendN’Trendz Rental Boutique in a few months. I teach creatives how to develop their visual identities. Why creatives? Over the years most of my clients have been artists and entrepreneurs who stand out or want to stand out. They have vibrant and bold personalities. Im a creative so I attract creatives. This is why I focus on creatives. Often times people get stuck in the “traditional” mindset of how they “should” or are “expected” to look when going on an interview, or speaking at a forum, etc. we perform our best when we look our best! We look our best and feel our best when we are wearing things we love and when we KNOW we look good. My daughter came up with the name for my business. She was playing around one day in the backseat of the car doing a freestyle rap about me and she was like my mama be blending trends… I said that’s my business name. And my motto is “Phuck the trends, create your own!” I don’t just DRESS people, I create them.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I’ve had to pivot multiple times during my journey. Mainly because I had to understand that I can’t service everyone. And I provide a luxury. Teaching people that this is a luxury that necessary for their success has been difficult. We all can get dressed, but what can you do to stand out? What can you do to your appearance that will make people remember you and look for you. What can you do to make people pay attention to you? These are things I teach. And bottom line when you have someone’s attention, they begin to listen to your messaging and they spend their money with you because they trust you and they want to experience your experience.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

One of the things that was a plus for me getting started was I really didn’t have to invest a lot of money getting started. In the beginning it was just me buying my clothes, styling myself and taking pictures. People want to look good. And it’s a double win when it won’t cost them a fortune. I learned how to design websites so I built my own website. I designed my own business cards. I taught myself how to do a lot of things bc I was a single mom of 3 and I didn’t have the money to invest in a lot of things and have people do them for me. It definitely has paid off.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yourstyleshouldtalkshit.style
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/theimagecreator
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/daphnemarietic

Image Credits
Photographers: @Michael “Musicated” Sullivan (black dress long ponytail) Antionne Duane Jones (mask photo and pink skirt photo) Kreed Celisse Photography