We recently connected with BETHANIE JONES and have shared our conversation below.

BETHANIE, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

When I moved to Los Angeles it was the start of COVID-19. It was a risk to move to the city at such a time- but to be quite honest I was anticipating this new season more and more as the days went on. When I moved to LA the entertainment industry was on pause. Although I like to say work was on pause, creativity was not. During this time of waiting for styling on set, I started to style on the roof of our LA condo facing the Hollywood sign, early in the morning, digitally.. It was a time where sunup to sun down I had the chance to be creative… I look back on that season and laugh a bit. During that time I was so ready for work to start up and to go somewhere other than my roof. However during those mornings I created a program called “My List.” The project of “My List” is where I work with a client entirely online and create a digital shopping list for them basically. Depending on the goals of my client, that is where our Zoom calls, digital links, and follow-ups go.

As I was creating this program I knew it was worthwhile because everyone makes a list of somesort. The thing is, some of us have a calling to different lists. Mine happens to be with fashion and with the help of being home for that time, technology, and a love for shopping… God gave me the idea of MYLIST.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

To introduce myself, I am a midwest girl, who went west, and is now.. back in the Midwest. I kind of love it though, I appreciate all the unexpected twists and turns of this journey. I am now working my way as a Montessori educator, but my roots are in fashion. (And those roots are still active and growing!) I work my business as a personal stylist, but it didn’t start out this way. I began my journey in fashion first in college in Nashville, TN. I was a fashion merchandising major with a heart for entrepreneurship. I grew familiar with fashion styling the year before I graduated college, back in 2019. As soon as I learned about the craft.. I leaned in. I met a celebrity fashion stylist through one of my professors who introduced me to Molly Free, based out of Nashville, TN. Molly mentored me all the way to me moving to Los Angeles. Quite literally through the mountains of Colorado, we talked an hour on how to make connections when first getting to LA. I am so grateful for Molly and how she coached me through that season of life- and is still someone I call today about styling.

Then after about three months of living in LA, a friend from back in Nashville reached out with a stylist connection. From there on I started assisting LA based fashion stylist, Amia Serrano. She taught me all the behind the scenes of working as a stylist… including the not so glamorous ones. (Heavy lifting & driving in LA traffic. Honestly I learned so much those days of assisting.) After about six months of assisting I started test shooting and booking my own jobs.

Although I write this not from my LA roof, but instead back in the Midwest. Though I loved my work and friends I decided in 2022 it was time for me to move home. Honestly I can say, it is one of the best decisions I have made,. though it was really, really painful to leave so much behind. However I didn’t leave it all behind. My friends, memories, and ideas came with me. All of the lessons/experiences have actually turned into something I get to talk about now on a podcast I will be releasing this fall!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn is that you can push through anything. It may sound countercultural for me to say that, but it’s true. There are some doors that won’t open (no matter how hard we try and push them open, they weren’t meant for us.) There were some projects I didn’t style on I wanted to so desperately, or stylists I wanted to assist that I never had the opportunity to. It hurts at the moment, but all of it is for a reason. Sometimes a “no” is actually for our protection, leading to a better yes later on.

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

The best reputation builder is our friend, integrity. It’s the best lesson, best co-worker, and leader we can have in the entertainment industry. This industry is not easy and so many people have been worn down over their work. The days are hard and some jobs aren’t exactly what we picture. But no matter what happens on that set or with the people around you, you go home with yourself and your integrity. Integrity will never go out of fashion and will always be hired to the places you are meant to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bmstyled.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bm_styled/

Image Credits
Purple Checkered Fit & Stripe w/Boot Look: Breana Otey Desert Look: Eric Chang All Denim & Girl in Green: Abraham Timisela and Photographer, Chad Meeks