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

Alright, Varduhi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

I think the most innovative thing I’ve done so far in my career is trust my gut and take the leap to pivot to Style Coaching during COVID. My first career was actually in education–I hold my MA in Education from the American University of Armenia, and worked at a private school as well as at my own private learning center. I loved how, as a teacher, I was able to work with people, and to use my listening and communication skills to uplift and inspire them.

While I loved my first career, I felt deep down that it wasn’t enough. When I realized that I can help folks through fashion–which has always been my other passion, the thing that has always grounded me and made me the happiest–I knew I had to reach higher and farther.

So I trusted my gut. I went on to leave Armenia, and gain my certification as a Style Coach from one of the most stylish cities on the face of the earth. While London was intimidating, it also inspired me–and lit a fire within me that pushed me to keep going and fulfill the next step in my career trajectory. So I became the business owner of VARD/MOV.

That leap of faith has made me so happy today because I actualized my goal of pivoting careers without sacrificing the aspects of education that I loved–like truly listening to people, being patient and helping them work through their goals to make the world a better place.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

So, I am Style Coach–which is a title a lot of people haven’t heard of. A Style Coach is a lifestyle professional that combines personal styling with life coaching. So, a Style Coach helps people to select and style clothes and accessories that work for their body, coloration and personality AND helps individuals gain the confidence and skill set to dream big and achieve their goals.

Essentially, my job is to help clients feel good on the inside, and gain the know-how to reflect that with their unique personal style on the outside. That can take many forms depending on your needs–that’s why every client relationship begins with a kick-off meeting where we discuss exactly what you’re looking for and what I can offer you.

My service offerings include everything from body type analysis to closet audits to personal shopping to confidence coaching, and so much more.

But what makes my services special is my philosophy behind it all. I believe that beauty and confidence come from within, and fashion, style and everything external is simply a reflection of that light that beams from inside you.

As my client, we would start from within, bringing all your many positive attributes, talents and passions to the forefront, focusing on them, and working to build them out further. We’ll dissect your goals, pick apart what you need to achieve them and create a plan for how to get you there.

Then, we’ll hone a personal style that reflects your unique personality in all its beauty using my original 7-Style Approach.

By uplifting both your inner and outer worlds in tandem, you’ll not only beam from the inside–you’ll look good doing it too.

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

Something I had to unlearn was taking smaller steps–sometimes in life you just have to dream big and take the dive. Because when you dream big, bigger things come to you. Yes, it’s all about ‘one step at a time’, but also when blessings come to you, you have to seize the moment and step up to the plate, like when I had an opportunity to leave my education career and move to London to pursue a new path. Yes, it was messy, unorganized and chaotic at times but you adjust. No feat is too big, it’s all about mindset.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

As an entrepreneur, I know that leaders are the type of people who never stop learning–that’s a trait I definitely have, and it gives me the confidence to call myself an entrepreneur. As a literature major in school, I’ve naturally read countless books and each of them have shaped my mind and allowed me to grow into the person I am today.

In the early days of my career, I was still reading a lot of fiction. At the moment–as an entrepreneur who is looking to grow her innovative business–I am reading a lot more business and career-help books. I’m truly skimming and scanning everything I can get my hands on, voraciously consuming as much information on my field as I can.

Besides reading, I listen to a lot of business podcasts/videos as well–both from within my field, such as Lauren Messiah, and outside of my field, such as Mark Cuban.

From within my field, there are a number of established stylists who I work with, partner with and simply talk with the intent of learning from them – never underestimate what you can learn by simply having a conversation with someone. It’s all professional development, at the end of the day.

Also, for those in your field who provide workshops, TAKE THEM! I’m currently enrolled in a Business Accelerator workshop, and I can’t wait to get started.

Contact Info:

• Website: vardmov.com
• Instagram: vard_mov
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vardmov
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vardtheteacher/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY9RPSfRxLHVq8z0vJOnE4w
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vardmov-glendale