We were lucky to catch up with Robin Fisher recently and have shared our conversation below.

Robin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

I will never forget 2017, the year I was diagnosed with colon cancer. At the time, everything in my life was going well. My business was growing, I was serving as the director of a major fashion organization in New York, my family was thriving, and I had just returned from a successful business trip to London. But something felt off.

For months, I went to the doctor searching for answers. Because of my age, cancer was never considered as a possibility. Then I heard the words that would change my life: “Robin, you have cancer.” I remember going completely numb. My first thoughts were of my husband and children. I had achieved more than I had ever dreamed for myself, but at that moment none of it mattered. It was time to focus on what truly mattered, my health and my family, and prepare for the fight of my life.

That experience shifted my perspective forever. It forced me to slow down, reevaluate my priorities, and lead my life and business with even more purpose. I learned that success means nothing if you are not here to enjoy it, and that self-care is not optional, it is essential.

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.

I am the founder and CEO of Polished Image and Style, an executive image consulting and personal styling agency based in the Washington, DC area. I work with high-functioning professional women who want to look and feel confident while authentically representing who they are. My clients are executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, doctors, diplomats, and other leaders who are making an impact in their fields.

My love for fashion started early. I grew up in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area with deep family roots in the industry. My grandmother was a master tailor, my mother and aunt owned a fashion boutique, and I was surrounded by fabrics, patterns, and the art of making clothing from the time I was a child. By the age of six, I had been on my first buying trip. I learned that style is a powerful form of self-expression and communication, and I watched women seek out that perfect piece that would tell the world exactly who they were.

My professional journey began in corporate fashion where I spent over 13 years as a technical designer, international production manager, executive buyer, creative director for a magazine, and more. I traveled the world managing apparel production and working alongside top fashion executives. In 2009, after having twins, I decided to create a business that merged my industry expertise with my passion for empowering women. That was the start of Polished Image and Style.

Today, I specialize in helping women develop their unique style identity through my signature Polished ID™ Method, a six-step system that teaches them how to define their personal style, edit and update their wardrobe, and create a professional yet authentic image. My services include one-on-one private styling, virtual coaching programs, and corporate workshops. I help my clients solve the problem of having a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear by teaching them how to create a wardrobe that works for their life, aligns with their goals, and removes the stress from getting dressed.

What sets me apart is that my work goes beyond fashion. I focus on personal branding, professional presence, and mindset. I teach my clients how to present themselves with confidence and authenticity so their image reflects their true value. I am most proud of the transformations I see when a woman begins to see herself differently, walks into a room owning her presence, and uses her image as a tool to achieve her goals.

My mission is simple. I help women develop confident, individual style so they can level up how they show up and create the life they desire. I believe style is not about perfection, it is about intention, self-respect, and owning your power.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I was seven weeks pregnant, I walked away from my last corporate job and decided to bet on myself. I loved the work I was doing, but the environment was toxic, and I refused to take my babies through that. At the time, I felt broken and unsure of what would come next, but I also knew I had a dream I had been carrying for years. I had always wanted to start my own image consulting firm, and for the first time, I had the opportunity to make it happen.

I remember sitting down one day, very pregnant, and emerging hours later with a complete business plan. From that moment, I was all in. My business was an instant success. Within a few years, I was earning more than I had ever made in my corporate career and, more importantly, I was happier than I had ever been because I was working in my passion.

That decision to pivot changed the course of my life. It taught me that sometimes walking away from something that is not serving you is the only way to open the door to what you are truly meant to do.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

My entire life, I have had a high attention to detail. My grandmother even nicknamed me “Hawk Eye” as a child. What neither of us knew at the time was that I have OCD. I was diagnosed after my cancer journey, and from that day forward, everything began to make sense.

When you understand how your mind works, it is a powerful thing. Instead of feeling sad or frustrated about it, I decided to embrace it and make it my superpower. I have always believed in producing and presenting my absolute best work. However, there were many times when I would hold back from publishing, releasing, or sharing something because I felt it was not good enough. I am sure this cost me opportunities over the years.

I had to train myself to stop letting OCD be the voice that held me back. I learned to push forward even when I felt something was not perfect. Now, I remind myself to go for it, push publish, send the email, and put my work into the world. The lesson I had to unlearn was that perfection is the goal. The real goal is progress, impact, and taking action.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://polishedimageandstyle.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polishedimage/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PolishedImage/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/polishedimageandstyle/

Image Credits

Delores Halloway – https://alittlebitofwhimsy.com/