Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elizabeth Mahoney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elizabeth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The story behind my mission with Care x Elm is deeply rooted in my lifelong relationship with style and self-expression.

Fashion has been woven into my life for as long as I can remember. It was a way I connected with my mother, grandmother and my great-grandmother. I learned early on that style is about so much more than what you wear. It’s a way to express who you are and show up confidently in the world.

After spending several years in New York with Ralph Lauren where I grew into visual storytelling, I started to see how much style impacts confidence—not just for creatives, but for busy professionals, parents, and anyone navigating daily life. My experiences both professionally and personally, alongside my journey with mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation, taught me how essential it is to feel aligned, inside and out.

With Care x Elm, my mission is to help individuals and brands find that alignment, using style as a tool for confidence, joy, and ease. I believe that great style is thoughtful and reflects who you are, not just what’s trending. It’s about celebrating individuality, incorporating sustainable choices, and making life a little bit simpler, and more beautiful along the way.

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 passion for style and fashion began early, nurtured by the strong, creative women in my life. Growing up, getting dressed with my mom was our special thing, shopping together, curating outfits, and celebrating the joy of personal style. She was a cosmetologist with an innate eye for beauty. I spent countless days in her salon, assisting her and immersing myself in the glossy pages of fashion magazines.

That love of artistry extended further back to my great-grandmother, a gifted seamstress who taught sewing from her home, and hand-crafted clothing for her family. Her creativity sparked my mother’s passion and, ultimately, planted the seeds for my own love of style. I was fortunate to spend just about every weekend with my great-grandmother in early childhood. These experiences taught me that fashion is more than just clothes; it’s a way to honor who we are and share it with the world.

Professionally, I spent about a decade at Ralph Lauren where I dedicated myself to visual merchandising, collaborating with business and creative teams to bring the brand’s vision to life for the customer. That time was so formative for me. It taught me the power of styling with purpose, the impact a thoughtful, cohesive wardrobe can have, and how to collaborate effectively.

Today, I bring that perspective to Care x Elm, my personal styling business, where I work with individuals and brands to tell their own stories through style. For my private clients, I focus on aligning wardrobes with their lifestyles, helping them feel confident, authentic, and ‘put-together’. Whether that’s for everyday life, special events, or professional needs. For brands and creatives, I offer styling for photoshoots and content creation, helping execute visuals that feel cohesive and impactful.

What makes Care x Elm unique is my focus on blending creativity, expertise, and a deep understanding of my clients. I believe I approach personal styling with intention, ensuring every choice reflects who my client is while bringing practicality and ease to their life. I also incorporate sustainable elements, including vintage and second-hand pieces, to create wardrobes that feel meaningful and conscious. And if I can introduce my clients (or myself!) to a new emerging brand that is doing right for the planet, that’s a big win.

What I’m most proud of is the connection I get to foster with my clients and collaborators. Seeing someone light up when they feel truly seen through their style, stepping into a version of themselves that feels powerful and authentic, that’s where my passion now lies. Style isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about inner spirit and storytelling.

At Care x Elm, I aim to create more than just outfits. I help my clients build a wardrobe and a relationship with style, one that is hopefully empowering and joyful.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to expand my creative work into interior spaces, applying my eye for style, balance, and mindful design to environments that are both inspiring and personal.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

After my years in New York, where I lived for luxury fashion and creative visual work, moving back to California marked a major shift. I found myself working for fast fashion brands and immediately felt the contrast. Not just in quality but in creativity, purpose, and connection. The focus on mass production and advertising over artistry left me uninspired, and the sheer waste I witnessed started to weigh on me. Add to that a two-hour commute and a growing sense that I was disconnected from my ‘why,’ I knew something had to change.

Around that time, my soon to be sister-in-law, Molly Mahoney, was growing her digital marketing agency and coaching business. My corporate background lent itself perfectly to her needs, building systems, project management, and team structure. Stepping into that role allowed me to pivot, breathe new life into my career, and learn the ins and outs of business management. I’m incredibly proud of the work we did, growing the team from 3 to 20, and grateful for the exposure to inspiring creatives and business owners.

That time rekindled my own entrepreneurial spirit. Though I never lost my passion for style, it was those years that gave me the confidence and clarity to return to fashion, but on my own terms. Now, with Care x Elm, I’ve created a business that allows me to combine creativity, sustainability, and personal connection, helping clients feel their best while staying aligned with my values.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

People are at the heart of everything, whether it’s a business, a project, or a creative endeavor. I have been fortunate to build my chosen family through my career choices. Specifically, at Ralph where the company’s ethos revolved around its people. That experience shaped how I view leadership and teamwork: when people feel cared for, supported, and invested in, they show up in incredible ways.

I often think of the Maya Angelou quote: ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget the way you made them feel.’ That’s the foundation of my approach to managing and collaborating with others. Regular check-ins, listening deeply, and recognizing people’s contributions go a long way in fostering trust, morale, and growth.

I also believe great things come from collaboration, creating space for new ideas, play, and trying things outside the box. Managing a team means encouraging that creative energy while providing a framework of support and clear direction.

While I currently work closely with my clients and creative collaborators, I look forward to growing my own team in the future. My goal is to create an environment where people feel empowered, valued, and inspired because when people thrive, businesses thrive too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carexelm.com
• Instagram: @carexelm @___lizzie___lee
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.mahoney.carexelm
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-mahoney-creative/

Image Credits

Lauren Michael Photography