We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessica Papineau a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Looking back, I realize that what I do and who I am now – I was simply born to do; it was a natural calling. What’s ironic is that I grew up in a very different way than who I am. I didn’t have all the things. My parents were minimalists. We didn’t have electricity or running water; let alone a TV or a phone! I don’t know where this love for fashion came from other than I was just born with it. As a young girl, I spent hours in my closet creating outfits. I wanted to shop at all the trendy stores in the mall but I couldn’t afford it. My clothes came from the Salvation Army. I spent hours creating outfits from the pieces I purchased.

I put together outfits that looked super cute and on-trend. It was my little secret that I created these outfits from pieces I found at the Salvation Army. I loved how the outfits made me feel. I would look in the mirror and pretend I was at parties talking to all kinds of people while wearing these fabulous outfits. The outfits made me feel like a million bucks. It felt powerful, almost magical to feel so confident about the reflection I saw in the mirror.

I got my first retail job when I was 16 years old working in a plus-size women’s clothing store. I loved seeing the transformation women experienced when I helped them shop for clothing. Many women would come into the store feeling overwhelmed. They were reluctant to have me, a skinny teenage girl, help them. I watched as they took pieces to the fitting room, noticing that many of their choices weren’t the right fit for their body type. This is when I stepped in and helped them find pieces that flattered their bodies. Seeing their confidence sore made me feel so incredible and I wanted every woman to know that she could feel beautiful and confident. Watching each woman I helped have this experience made me realize that I was not alone with the insecurities I had about my body.

I believe when a woman feels great about how she looks, her confidence elevates and she has more freedom to be her true, authentic self.
A woman’s personal style is truly a reflection of who she is. It’s my role as a fashion stylist to help you discover the beauty and gifts you have on the inside and show you how to reflect this on the outside! I believe that looking and feeling your best begins with how you show up for yourself and others.

Jessica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a teen, I had so many insecurities about my body and how I looked to others. I was so shy and it was through clothing that I was able to discover myself and have the confidence to make friends and try new experiences.

I founded Customized Styling by Jessica in 2019. CSJ is a nationwide concierge styling company supporting women to be their best every day and in every way.

My business has grown and evolved as well, with the addition of CSJ Designs Jewelry. A great outfit isn’t complete without the perfect piece of jewelry so CSJ Designs became a natural extension of my styling services. CSJ continues to expand even further with new programs, customized style boxes, along with beauty and image consulting.

I believe that just like life, fashion is a journey, not a destination. We’re always changing and evolving through different seasons of life and our wardrobes should reflect that.

I feel most proud when working with my clients and helping them discover their inner beauty and show them out to reflect it on the outside. I’ve helped thousands of women throughout the years feel confident and beautiful in their clothing and that makes me feel so accomplished.

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

Like many, COVID-19 gave me an opportunity to really think about what I wanted to achieve in my business. It was also a time when I deeply connected with my family and enjoyed spending time with my husband and two sons.

It was during this time that I practiced public speaking via Zoom and found ways to connect virtually with other women. I offered free virtual styling sessions to help my clients edit their wardrobes and I dropped off athleisure outfits at their doorstep so they were able to feel pretty even though they were not leaving their homes.

This was also a time that I expanded my business outside of Florida and into Canada as well. I created a “Customized Style Box” service and sent them to clients to try on. I would coach them virtually on how to use these pieces with their existing wardrobe so they could create outfits that made them feel beautiful.

The pandemic was a pivotal time for my business. During this time, I started buying directly from clothing wholesalers to create my studio boutique. This was a huge turning point for CSJ as I can now offer my clients an entire wardrobe and one-on-one shopping experience.

I used this time to connect with other women in my community who were struggling through the pandemic. I mentored various women to help them set goals and make a plan to achieve what they want in their life. I have found in working with so many women, that we often don’t give ourselves the permission to dream big. I inspired them by telling my story and sharing how I was able to get started on my business without taking out a business loan.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.customizedstylingbyjessica.com/
• Instagram: @customizedstylingbyjessica
• Facebook: @customizedstylingbyjessica
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIo7IgDkpAxvp8KpkRWjbhQ

Image Credits
For the first photo credit: Roohi Photography