We recently connected with Valerie Halfon and have shared our conversation below.
Valerie, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
In March of 2010 I was asked to take a friend shopping for her birthday after she recently gained some weight and had fallen into a serious slump. Hiring a personal shopper in NYC at the time was not so affordable. It was a very flattering proposal. Although this was not something I had ever formally done before, I wanted to help, so I accepted. The experience was a success and she walked away with a number of new pieces thanks to my expertise and ability to make the afternoon enjoyable, efficient and enlightening. When I saw her shortly after she was smiling ear to ear in a new dress we got together. It was evident her new clothing purchases helped rebuild her confidence so that her beautiful, vibrant personality could shine through again.
The light bulb turned on and I had an epiphany. I love fashion and I love helping people. I can combine both of these passions to assist clients in a deep and meaningful way by showing them how to put their best foot forward. Best of all, I could work with clients of all backgrounds, styles, and budgets. Personal shoppers didn’t have to be just for the rich and famous. I could be the first personal shopper to cater to all kinds of budget, not just really big ones.
Shop With Val was born in October 2010, as New York’s first “affordable” personal shopper. I started assisting my friends with their wardrobes to build my portfolio and practice shopping for different body types and styles. Soon thereafter, I had a website and business cards and I was up and running! The rest is history…
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Shop With Val offers a range of wardrobe consulting services including closet consultations, personal shopping and style look-books. As a style expert, I am also available to host fashion events, TV style segments, and style workshops for private groups and corporations alike.
The biggest problem I solve for my clients is teaching them how to shop for and maintain a well rounded wardrobe filled with modern, versatile, flattering and stylish pieces, all while saving them time and money. There are tons of people out there who don’t like to shop and have a hard time finding pieces that fit them well. Generally, those people are my clients and I aim to change the way they view shopping for the better!
The diversity of my clientele and experience rebuilding wardrobe from scratch sets me apart from others. Over the course of 11 years I’ve worked with over 400 clients spanning two dozen countries. I am most proud that I built this business from the ground up, driven by my entrepreneurial spirit and a dedication to filling a void that existed in the industry. Just 5 years into my business Shop With Val was named one of NYC’s top personal shoppers by Time Out NY in 2016. Shortly thereafter, I expanded the business to Houston, where I am currently based.
I want potential clients to know no matter how hopeless they’re feeling about their wardrobe and image Shop With Val can help. I’ve seen it all from those with next to nothing in their closets to borderline hoarders. I’ve shopped for every size from 00 petite – 24, and I’ve worked with budgets from $500-$5K+. Helping clients build a beautiful wardrobe is important, but what drives me is knowing the power of those clothes can help improve their life personally and professionally. My mission is to help each client put their best foot forward so their inner beauty can shine.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
By 2020 I had been running my business for ten years. I had just launched a new website and revamped my services list, while showcasing new press and testimonials. I had returned from my monthly work trip to NYC, where I had some very successful appointments, while building new relationships with major retailers. I was feeling great about where my business was headed. Then COVID hit and everything came to a screeching halt. I had no work for nearly 6 months. Stores started reopening and clients slowly began to feel comfortable meeting in person, but I knew I needed to find a way to stay connected with my clients who were not local or who were not comfortable working together in person.
I redesigned the way I offered my virtual styling services and am now working with clients remotely more efficiently and frequently than ever before. This shift allowed me to continue to work with my NY-based clients, despite the fact that I have not resumed my work trips to NY. It has even allowed me to work with new clients, even though we have never met. I feel more connected now in a way because I’m not limited to working with clients in just Houston or NYC. I can confidently assist clients from anywhere, and that’s the silver lining of COVID!
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Most new clients will learn of my business through an online search. Thanks to lots of great press over the years (NY Post, Marie Claire, Time Out NY and Houstonia in particular) and countless reviews on Yelp!, Thumbtack and TripAdvisor, there are a number of ways potential clients can find Shop With Val. I also acquire new clients through referrals from past or existing clients. A referral is the ultimate compliment and a reminder that I’m doing something right!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopwithval.com
- Instagram: @shopwithval
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShopWithVal/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriehalfon/
- Twitter: @shopwithval
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shop-with-val-houston