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

Empress, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about one of the craziest things you’ve experienced in your journey so far.

I was offered a project to work with a celebrity in another state, I had meetings with the team to make sure everything was great. When I flew out of state and arrive I was greeted and taken care of with small essential things. As I got to my hotel, I was told that things were going to be different than originally planned. The very next day, I asked what was needed and what time I needed to arrive on set; and things appeared to be rolling smoothly until the afternoon. There was some unclear conversations through text and I was told that my services were no longer needed. The biggest problem was that I flew across the country with little to know money, not a lot of explanation was given on the project and there was lack of proper communication. My lesson and takeaway was that a contract is always needed no matter what type of job; and how small or big the job is, I need the contract to protect myself and my brand. I looked at it as a learning lesson and moment for what to do and what not to do.

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

So before I became a personal stylist, I worked with a fashion designer for a few years helping her with her brand. I learned a lot and truly realized that I had desire to be by myself. I originally only wanted to dress and style men, but that’s not the vision I was given. After being diagnosed with lupus, which is an auto immune disease, I knew that in order to fulfill my vision I had to begin with myself as my first client. I started researching schools to better educate myself. I also started working on my personal brand and who I wanted to show up as. From the heartache, depression, skin issues, weight issues, hair loss and internal pain, I decided to allow those things to be my reason to want to change myself, grow in personal development and truly create a style that I could call my personal style. I absolutely knew somewhere within my heart and soul that if I truly did the work on myself I would be able to attract the type of clientele that needed my services.

The experience I have over the years is working with an online fashion company, working with celebrities, working on a few editorial shoots, working behind the scenes with fashion shows, working as a personal stylist with major retail luxury stores and now working as a personal stylist to help my professional women. Over the years of wearing the different hats, as well as learning so many tools and gems; I feel like I have found where my purpose will be served the most.

I help professional women to find their true authenticity and value through personal style and development. The women that I work with are entrepreneurs, CEOs, business owners, VPs, COOs and most women that work in a professional industry. These ladies range from 30 years old to about 45 years old, they are busy women who truly need or want a personal stylist to help them take their personal brand to the next level. One of the biggest problems I am able to solve for my clients is what they will wear daily to show up as their most valued asset. The biggest thing that sets me apart is I believe in the clients voice being a huge partner of creating her personal style.

One of my biggest accomplishments was being lead key stylist on a celebrity stage play working with 5 of your favorite celebrities. Another fun accomplishment was my first editorial shoot, working with a team, was published in 6 magazines. Another pretty well accomplishment was while working as a personal stylist at one of the highest luxury retail stores, I helped them create almost $200,000 in sales volume in just 2 1/2 months.

I need my potential clients to know I an Empress Bey, I’m serious and knowledgeable about my services but I value having fun, laughing and receiving feedback from my clients to grow and enhance better service experience.

Currently, there are two specific services that I offer for my clients. One of those Services is a one-on-one Personal Style experience where I am able to take you from not knowing what to wear, to walking down your driveway as it is your own red carpet and owning it. The other service are for my ladies who do have a little bit of personal style to knowing how to dress; but they really need the structure with their closet for it to be organized and very manageable.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, I look at all my women, or even men that I may Style, as a canvas. They are my walking canvas of how creative I can be and the work that I have put together. It makes me so happy to be able to work with someone who did not truly understand their value, or even understand that just showing up as their authentic self begin with them in their personal style. It truly is rewarding when I have clients who I have worked with in the past refer more and more people because that is how I am able to still stand and do what I do.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

So one year I was working at a fashion week, and I definitely was not feeling the best due to having a lupus flare up. I did not want to just fully put myself out there, but I also wanted to be transparent enough in order to get the help that I needed if that was necessary. So instead of making a huge and big announcement, I went directly to the person in charge and told them what was going on. I explained that I was diagnosed with lupus and I was experiencing some headache and a little bit of pain in my body, she told me to take a break and get some water and send her a text if I needed anything. I was able to do so in a quiet space where no one was, I was able to take a couple of deep breaths and tell myself that I was made to do this. After I took the break, I went back to working backstage and I was able to assist and help the models with their outfits. From this experience, one of the biggest lessons that I learned was it’s okay for me to be transparent, especially with my condition and what I have going on; but I also learned that I don’t have to tell every single person on the job what’s going on.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @empress_the_stylist @thestylelyfe
• Facebook: @empress_the_stylist @thestylelyfe
• Linkedin: @thestylelyfe

Image Credits
William Haynes Toni Sanders Talisha Kaye Natalie & BJ Freeman Madelyn Patterson Toni Williams Kaia Dublin Alyse Tatum