We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordin Redou. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordin below.
Jordin , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
When I created my blog The Chic Observer back in college, I was focused solely on fashion. My initial thought was, “I have all of these clothes that I spend a lot of time styling and putting looks together with, so someone outside of the kids in my economics class needs to see this!” Over time though, I slowly started adding more details about the restaurant I was wearing the outfit in, or the event I went to that called for a certain look. From there, the idea of talking more about lifestyle started to form. As I continued to write and take/post photos, I realized what I wanted to do was to not just show my followers how to dress for the life they wanted, but also show them ways to implement tasks or routines day-to-day to create a posh and luxurious life. Whether my follower was a student wanting to give their space a classier feel on a college budget, or a professional woman looking for ways to feel more elegant. Living your best life is not just about clothes but also books, one’s food, travel and daily routines. My job is to provide a variety of ideas that inspire my followers to make changes and adjustments that make them feel good about where they are in life.
Jordin , 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?
The Chic Observer and my styling consultations aren’t just about keeping up with trends or what celebrities are wearing. My goal is to help my readers, followers and clients realize what in their life feels a bit drab and what tweaks they can make to feel they’re living a refined and fabulous life. So many times, I hear people express discontent with their wardrobe, style or routine. They feel there is either no way to make these things more enjoyable or say that spicing up a space or living with more joie de vivre is too much work. These statements always appall me because I can see in any situation how easy it would be to make small changes to create a more enjoyable experience.
For example, if you’re exasperated with the nightly chore of cooking dinner for yourself or your family, what can you do to make it a little more exciting? Buy yourself a nice set of cookware in a beautiful blush pink or a soothing creamy white that makes you excited every time you pull it out of the cabinet. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Just beautiful. Thrifted items for the budget conscious are like found treasure! Find or make a fun apron that flows as you float around the kitchen sipping a glass of wine while swaying to a special playlist that you listen to only when you’re cooking or as you learn new facts from a fascinating podcast. Set the table with crisp linen napkins and tall candlesticks that cast a warm glow over your dinner space. It’s little details – the items you use, the way you settle into the task and the atmosphere you create that will make you feel like you’re living a higher quality of life.
With all that in mind, we can’t forget the fashion aspect! For me (as well as most people), what I wear plays a big part in how I feel everyday. Do I feel like I’m presenting that day’s best version of myself to the world? Who is that girl I’m showing to my fellow New Yorkers? What does she want? How does she feel? Where is she going today? If I’m feeling glamorous and want to wear an evening gown and opera gloves to a night at the ballet, I’ll lean into that. If I want to wear something fun and flirty, I’ll throw on a sequined mini skirt or a bright yellow feather coat. If I’m missing Paris (my favorite city in the world, sorry NYC) I’ll select a pair of well-fitting jeans with a well-constructed blazer, an Hermès scarf, and a chic bag.
Find what you like, find what makes you feel sparkly or poised or cool and lean into it. You’ll feel better and live a more luxurious life. Promise!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
There are three things that are most important when it comes to growing your clientele: 1. Be different
2. Stay true to your mission
3. Try many many different ways of getting your name out there
Blogging/fashion writing is an especially over-saturated market these days, so don’t be afraid to be different. Picking up three trendy pieces and slapping them all together in an outfit isn’t exciting or nuanced or even YOU. Don’t be afraid to try something new and stand out because that’s what’s going to attract the right kind of clients.
If something doesn’t work, change your method, not your mission. Your mission is what’s going to keep you passionate and excited about your business, and that energy is going to be important for growing your business, including when times get tough.
When trying to get your name out there, the thought of straight-forward networking can be daunting. Luckily, that’s not the only way to grow. When I first started, I ordered business cards and would leave them at the checkout counters of small boutiques, ask someone if I could take a photo of their outfit for my blog and give them a card, or I would even leave them in dressing rooms of stores I was shopping in. Get creative with getting the word out about your business and services and use the resources that are available to you.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Anyone who’s known me a while could tell you I’m a creature of habit. Once I find a way of doing what works, I’m defiantly a “don’t fix it if it’s not broken” type of girl. Because of this, learning to pivot can be something of a challenge for me. One example that comes to mind is when social media platforms started to shift their algorithms to prioritize video over photos. I had spent years perfecting the art of the perfect candid shot, the best poses and backgrounds, how to edit photos, best times to post, etc. So when video became the new still shot, I stubbornly dug my heels in and continued on as I had been. Of course, it wasn’t long before I came to the realization that, if I wanted to stay in the content game and use social media as a marketing tool, I would have to play by these new rules. I had to change with the times and learn how to look natural while filming things like cooking videos and flower arranging, as well as how to edit videos and do voiceovers. It certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone (which we all need once in a while). And it reminded me to be more flexible and have fun with it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://observerofchic.blogspot.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechicobserver
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChicObsever
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/observerofchic
- Other: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Redou-Let-s-heed-the-strict-rules-of-Greek-life-12383339.php http://voyagehouston.com/interview/meet-jordin-redou-of-the-chic-observer/