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

Hi Jean, thanks for joining us today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

For me, showing appreciation goes far beyond a thank you note. My entire business is rooted in relationships, and I see myself as a partner in my clients’ lives, not just their closets. I’ve had the privilege of styling women through all stages of life, becoming moms, navigating career shifts, and celebrating milestones, and what starts as editing and styling clothes often turns into something much more personal.

When a client lets me into her closet, she’s inviting me into her world. Sometimes that means letting go of sentimental pieces or talking through why something no longer feels like “her.” Those moments build real trust. I make it a point to follow up after every session, keep an open dialogue, and encourage my clients to reach out any time, even for quick questions like “Does this work for dinner tonight?” or “Can I mix these two pieces?” I have an odd ability to remember their wardrobes piece by piece, so I can talk them through a mini style crisis on the fly.

Most business owners would stop once the session ends, but I believe the ongoing support is what makes clients feel truly valued. It tells them I’m invested in their confidence and not just the transaction. That unexpected level of care being available, remembering the details, and celebrating their wins creates a bond that lasts. And I think what clients feel in those moments is that they’re not just paying for a service, they have someone in their corner who genuinely wants them to look and feel their best.

Jean, 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?

Before I started this business, I spent over 20 years in the fashion and beauty industry at prominent brands such as Donna Karan, MAC, Estée Lauder, and Victoria’s Secret. It was an incredible experience. I learned how brands shape identity, how style connects to confidence, and how details matter. But at the same time, I noticed that so many women (myself included at times) were overwhelmed by their closets. Despite having plenty of clothes, they still felt like they had “nothing to wear.” That disconnect is what inspired me to launch my business.

I work with women to simplify, streamline, and elevate their wardrobes, so getting dressed becomes one of the easiest parts of their day. My services span the full spectrum of wardrobe support: from in-person closet edits and creating curated shopping boards to virtual styling sessions across the country. For some clients, it’s about editing what they already own so every piece fits and flatters. For others, it’s styling and outfit-building to unlock fresh ways to wear what they have. And when new pieces are needed, I provide shopping recommendations (sourced online) that feel modern and timeless without being overly trend-driven. Whether we’re side by side in a closet or connecting over Zoom, the goal is always the same: a wardrobe that works seamlessly and makes getting dressed feel effortless.

One thing that sets me apart is how personal this work gets. When clients invite me into their closets, it’s never just about clothes. It’s about identity, milestones, and letting go of pieces that no longer serve them. I’ve worked with women through every stage of life: promotions, career changes, new motherhood, weddings, relocations, and everything in between. I always say editing a closet is a little like therapy… you’re making room for the next version of yourself. And I love being part of that process.

Another thing my clients often tell me they value is my follow-through. I don’t disappear once a session is over. I have this odd but useful ability to remember what’s in someone’s closet, so months later, when a client texts me in a panic, “Can I wear this to my board meeting?” or “What shoes go with this dress?” I can talk them through it. That kind of ongoing support isn’t something most stylists build into their business, but it’s something I insist on because it matters.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the transformations I see in my clients’ wardrobes, but the transformations I see in them. There’s a confidence that comes from opening your closet and knowing everything works for your body and lifestyle right now.

At the end of the day, my brand is about clarity, confidence, and ease. It’s not about chasing trends but helping women feel relevant and modern in a way that still feels true to who they are. My goal is to take away the second-guessing and the stress, and replace it with a sense of confidence every time they get dressed. When your wardrobe feels current, functional, and aligned with your lifestyle, it frees you up to focus on everything else you’re showing up for in life.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

One of the most impactful books for me as an entrepreneur has been Company of One by Paul Jarvis. His philosophy that success doesn’t have to mean endless growth really resonated with me. The idea that you can build a business designed to support your life, rather than one that consumes it, shifted the way I thought about growth and scale. It permitted me to focus on sustainability and quality over quantity, which is at the heart of how I run my styling business.

It also shaped my philosophy as a stylist and entrepreneur. Less is more, depth matters more than breadth, and success is about building something modern, relevant, and sustainable. For me, that translates into a business that prioritizes personal connection with clients by taking the time to understand their lifestyle, their goals, and the emotions tied to what they wear. It means approaching every wardrobe with thoughtful curation, editing out the excess, and filling in whatever is needed so everything in your closet serves a purpose. And it means helping clients take a long-term approach to style so their wardrobes evolve with them through different life stages and feel intentional rather than disposable.

My goal is to create a styling experience where getting dressed becomes one of the easiest and most confident parts of someone’s day, not because they have more clothes but because they have the right clothes.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Yes, my side hustle became my full-time business. I spent more than two decades working in the corporate world in fashion and beauty, which I truly enjoyed, but over time, the grind became less inspiring. On top of that, my life changed in a big way when I had a child with special needs who needed more of my time and attention. That shift forced me to step back and think about how I could take the parts of my career I loved most, style, creativity, and connection, and channel them into something more meaningful and flexible.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for helping women with their style choices, guiding them on what to wear for their body types, and showing them that getting dressed doesn’t mean being “dressed up,” it just means being dressed right. I started small, working with friends and family on wardrobe edits, styling for occasions, and everyday outfitting. I came alive doing this, and my family noticed how energized and committed I was, even while juggling my corporate job, motherhood, and everything else.

The turning point came when I decided to scale back my corporate role and consult part-time, which freed me up to build my personal styling business. I launched a website and social media presence, and slowly but surely, through word of mouth and consistent content, the business started to grow. It wasn’t overnight; it was slow and steady, but that pace allowed me to build a solid foundation.

Key milestones included my first paying clients outside of my personal network, creating a recognizable brand identity online, and developing a high retention rate among clients who came back season after season. Over time, referrals, social media, and even Google searches became consistent sources of new business. What started as a side hustle has grown into a full-time, sustainable business with a loyal client base and steady momentum.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jeangordonstyle.com
• Instagram: @jeangordon.style
• Linkedin: Jean McCall Gordon

Image Credits

Image Credit: Adeline Artistry