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

ASHLEY, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I think it’s all a risk really. Staying in the “comfy” corporate job that has a cushy stable salary is a risk if it means you are unhappy and that bleeds into your life in all facets. I was one of very few women selling enterprise software for many years, making a ton of money and spending it frivolously on trips and shopping because I was trying to fill a void because I was unhappy in my career.
I was chatting with a friend who asked me what I’d rather be doing and “Styling other women” was the first thing that came out of my mouth. It wasn’t something I had really given a lot of thought to, but she instantly said “I’d let you style me.” And thus, I built out a business plan and started with my first client that next week. The following month, I was laid off in a huge corporate restructuring that wasn’t expected (so maybe not so cushy after all) and I decided to take a leap of faith. I said to myself I’d give it three months and see how it went and if it wasn’t working, I’d get my resume together and start looking at the beginning of the year. By the end of the year, I had ten clients and had landed my first C-Level Executive that bought the big package. I started setting higher goals. I started styling men. I hired a mentor. And now I have 35+ clients and I’m a little over a year in and I’ve since styled clients for a private invite at the King’s Castle and at the White House, featured in multiple magazines, styled fashion shows, the list goes on.
All that to say, if I hadn’t taken the risk, none of this could’ve happened. I could’ve missed it all.
I’d be remiss to say that amongst these wins have there been some hard times, both mentally and financially. Business ownership is not for the faint of heart. But most things that are worth it take persistence and grit. I am grateful to my mom who instilled in me a strong work ethic and the deep understanding and empathy it takes to successfully work within this wildly intimate, service-oriented position I get to carry. It is not lost on me that I am beyond fortunate to have had such success all before the age of 40. Take that shot! You’ll never know what’s on the other side.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My love affair with fashion began early. While most millennials were taping up Got Milk? ads of their favorite hunk of the week on their bedroom walls, I was busy clipping Vogue and dreaming of how I could incorporate avant-garde looks into my Abercrombie-filled closet, not feeling authentic to myself to fit in, as a lot of teenagers do.

My corporate career was a similar story. I traded in my fashion-fueled dreams for pencil skirts and flats, the uniform of success. Yet, as I climbed the corporate ladder, I began to break free from the confines of conformity, investing in myself and embracing my personal style amongst a sea of suits.

A serendipitous chain of events led me to begin my journey as a business owner/personal stylist, and I haven’t looked back.

Today, I’m a sought-after stylist, empowering individuals to look and feel their best. As the founder of modASH Styling LLC (pronounced mode-ash) and In-House Stylist at Seattle’s popular The Refind Closet, I’m helping people discover and rediscover their personal and authentic style. Whether it’s finding the perfect gala gown, bachelorette party themed outfit, the quintessential European vacation wardrobe, or a full closet overhaul, I have a knack for curating looks that are both stylish and authentic to my clients’ lifestyle. I simply love to and am great at, nailing the assignment.

With over 35 active clients, I specialize in creating looks that embrace every stage of life and occasion. My approach to finding my next client is about dissecting the way people think about themselves and ensuring my next client is open and willing for a deep and meaningful seismic shift to the way they speak internally to themselves. It’s retail therapy in a whole new light! It’s about shifting limiting beliefs and helping people see themselves as a canvas to a world of artistic expression. Closet edits and shopping are just one small piece to the intimate work I get to engage in with my clients and am so grateful every time someone takes a chance on me as their soulmate stylist.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I lead with empathy, humility and direct communication and it resonates with my clients. I am very clear about the process and how I work and that helps people understand what they are signing up for.

I think a lot of people think that hiring a stylist is a lot like hiring a therapist. You can go and tell half truths in your session and you magically end up fixed. With styling, to ensure success, it has to be a collaborative experience that is both engaging and equally invested in truth, on both sides.

Most of my clients come to me now through referrals, which is a huge compliment. It means that people feel empowered to share their incredibly personal and life-changing experience with others in a way that inspires others to want to do the same.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I’ve invested in a platform that allows for asynchronous communication with clients about their digital closet, our online purchases, etc. When I started my business, I researched and chose industry-specific technology based on the functionality that matched my needs best and on my thoughts about my interaction with their Sales team. It quickly became the basis for how I communicate with my clients, making it easy for me to provide them value, which, in turns creates repeat clients!

The tech company that I partner with already has brand loyalty built through the 1600+ retailers they’ve nurtured relationships with, so that built in my ability to serve my clients readily without having to do all the legwork of building relationships. It takes a village to create a network, so I found my people that helped accelerate that process so that I could thrive.

I also work very hard to ensure I am crystal clear about their needs and preferences to make sure I am providing value every time we interact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.modashstyling.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modash_styling/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modashstyling
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymeiss/

Image Credits

Cynthia Singleton
Olivia Taylor