We recently connected with Monika Nielsen and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Monika thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

As a stylist and closet coach, a normal industry standard is to have this checklist to follow- “If you haven’t worn something in a year, get rid of it” or “Everyone needs a proper white button up shirt in their wardrobe”. I disagree!! What is I don’t like white button downs? What if I have pieces I wear very rarely, but love? Not everything in your closet needs to be functional. There. I said it. 

As a first generation purger, I understand that emotional ties we have with the things in our closet. I believe strongly in honoring memories and not just going through with a “slash and burn-chuck it all mentality”. For most of us, our closet is a place of blocked goals and unmet expectations…a place we have things for a life we may not have anymore or a size we haven’t seen in awhile. As we go through piece by piece, we talk about whether or not it fits your size, your personality and represents how you need to show up in the world. If it doesn’t, I give you the opportunity to move it along and donate to local non profits-there are plenty in need right here in Denver. The things you will never wear again can be lifechanging for someone else.

Monika, 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?

I help women breathe again…one closet at a time.

It starts with you having frustration in your closet, you feel like nothing integrates, often times there’s a pile on the floor after you try things on over and over every morning, nothing quite fits right.

I understand, I’ve been there. I lived this off and on for 20 years. I’ve spent far too much money on clothing I never wore-following trends that didn’t really fit my body or life. I’ve had a closet full of things that didn’t integrate-usually a product of random shopping to fill my closet, not build a wardrobe. I’ve lost and gained weight, so I purged and bought clothing over and over. It’s exhausting!

So when you hit your breaking point, you reach out and we chat about your biggest concerns and frustrations and I send you a 15 page Style workbook. Your homework helps you nail down who you are and how you want to shop up in the world and when we get started in your closet, we overlay that in your space and with all your pieces.

Clients are surprised that we look at each item and make decisions-not a blanket statement of “chuck it”. If you have clothing you cannot wear and a goal to wear it again, we move it out of your main space. If you have clothing that are strictly memories, let’s honor those pieces by moving them up to the top shelf, on display for you to enjoy.

When we’re done, we come up with a plan to fill the holes of your wardrobe intentionally. I always start at local boutiques first-we need to keep our money in the hands of our local business owners!

The thing I’m the most proud of is the guilt and baggage that my clients drop though the process. The joy that comes back in to getting dressed! My clients say over and over that they can breathe again..what’s better than that?

How did you build your audience on social media?

Funny story…I wasn’t on SM when I started my business! Coming from nonprofit work in trafficking, I knew the evils of social media and wanted nothing to do with it. When my business coach challenged me to go out of my comfort zone and put on my big girl business pants, I jumped in. Do it nervous, do it messy, be authentic to who you are and be consistent. I show up on SM with quick wins you can have in your closet, but also as the friend who understands all your frustrations and concerns. I’ve done this most of my adult life, I’ve been there, and I can help you through the process.

My biggest piece of advice to others about SM was given to me by my coach, Krista Demcher.(She is a sales and messaging expert!) Nail your messaging-who are you, who do you serve, how are your clients going to feel once you’ve helped them. Then show up and tell them, and then keep showing up. By the time you are sick of talking is the time people really start paying attention to what you do!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

As a solopreneur, it can be a little lonely and overwhelming. I am fortunate to be a part of The Acorn Academy, founded by Krista Demcher, an online community of female entrepreneurs from coast to coast. 85 of the most brilliant women founders in all business-brick and mortar, services, products and ministry. We meet in various formats throughout the month…I would not be where I am today without them!

My podcast rotates between She Sells, He Sells-Krista and Brian Demcher, The Mel Robbins Podcast, This is Virginia Kerr and No BS Business School with Jan Ditchfield. This pretty much covers, sales, messaging, mindset, video and business backend.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.YourStyleRehabist.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/styleclosetcoach
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/monika.nielsen.14
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/monikanielsenysr
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/yourstylerehabist

Image Credits
Casey Poe Desiree Ortman