Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jaquelyn Wahidi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jaquelyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.
When Christine first came to me about a year ago, she was stuck—in her wardrobe, her confidence, and, honestly, in her life. For privacy, we’ll call her Christine, but her story is one I see a lot. She was frustrated with her body, overwhelmed by her closet, and constantly cancelling plans because she didn’t feel good in what she was wearing. Her career was suffering, too, weighed down by a lack of confidence that followed her into every room.
Christine thought she’d wait to invest in herself. Maybe after she lost ten pounds? Or got that next promotion? But I’ve been doing this work for years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that style isn’t something you earn. It’s something that can spark change.
Once Christine made the decision to invest in her wardrobe, and ultimately, in herself, everything began to shift. We curated a style that honored who she is now and who she’s becoming. We organized her closet, pre-styled outfits for every scenario, and gave her the tools to get dressed without stress. She simply opens her phone each day and selects from a personalized look book I created for her. Getting dressed became easy. Effortless. Fun.
Fast forward to today, and Christine is radiant. She’s lost 30 pounds with ease because she started showing up for herself. She re-committed to her career, landed new opportunities, and is earning more money. More importantly, she’s saying yes to life again. She’s no longer cancelling plans with friends, avoiding photos with family, or turning down new adventures.
Was it all my doing? No. Style is powerful, but what really changes people is when they decide they’re worth investing in. Christine’s transformation wasn’t just about clothes. It was about reclaiming her confidence, her joy, and her sense of self.
And it all started with a single decision: to stop waiting and start showing up.
Jaquelyn, 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?
Hi! I’m Jaquelyn Wahidi, fashion writer and personal stylist, based in San Diego. Since 2016, I’ve been helping women elevate their style and simplify their lives through fashion. From closet organizing and personal shopping to trip packing and look book styling, I pretty much do it all. There’s nothing more satisfying to me than an organized closet and a confident client walking out the door ready to take on her day.
I’ve always had a love for style. I started out as a teen working in a high-end boutique in Northern California where I learned the ropes of designer fashion, visual merchandising, and fabric care. After moving to San Diego to study, I stayed close to the fashion world. I was working in retail buying, merchandising, and sales. Eventually, I landed a marketing director role for a fashion company and later moved into corporate management. There, I got to travel and grow professionally. But deep down, I knew I wanted to return to what I loved most: helping women feel amazing in their clothes.
So, after styling friends for fun and seeing the impact it had, I launched my business. I trained with one of NYC’s top stylists, and since then, I’ve never stopped learning, whether it’s through books, courses, or hands-on experience. To date, I’ve styled more women than I can count, from stay-at-home moms in Rancho Bernardo to surgeons in Temecula to on-camera talent in La Jolla.
What sets me apart? I bring real world experience and a deep understanding of what works for people’s bodies and lifestyles. I’ve been featured in national publications, but what matters most to me is helping each client feel confident and seen. I take the stress out of getting dressed, so they can spend less time second-guessing and more time living.
If you’re ready to stop saying “I have nothing to wear” and start feeling truly put-together, I’d love to help you get there.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
For me, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a mix of word-of-mouth referrals and investing in my website’s SEO. There’s truly no better compliment than a happy client telling their friends about their experience. That kind of trust and personal recommendation is priceless.
At the same time, I’ve learned how important it is to show up where potential clients are actually looking. And most of the time, that’s Google—not Instagram. While some people find social media is fun, real, paying customers often start their search with a question like, “personal stylist near me.” That’s why I believe every solopreneur should have at least a basic understanding of SEO. Optimizing my website has helped the right clients find me-people who are already looking for exactly what I offer.
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
Yes, my business does have a few supplementary revenue streams. In addition to working one-on-one with styling clients, I also freelance as a fashion writer for various publications, including my blog. Writing allows me to share my expertise with a broader audience while staying tapped into industry trends. Of course, it’s also fantastic for SEO.
I also earn commissions from certain brands and retailers when clients shop through my links. That said, my recommendations are never influenced by commissions. I only suggest pieces I truly believe in and that I think will work for each individual client.
As any solopreneur knows, bookings can fluctuate seasonally, so having multiple income streams helps keep things sustainable. It’s all part of building a well-rounded business in a creative field.
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Image Credits
Photos by Robin Dayley