Today we’d like to introduce you to Sibu McNeal.
Sibu, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was Galveston Island born but grew up and educated in a small town south of Houston, called La Marque, TX. Although I was in a small town, I never had a small town mentality. It simply served as my incubator. Being the oldest of three siblings, I sometimes took on the motherly mindset which prepared me to be a successful wife, mother, educator, and wardrobe consultant. The many layers of Sibu always draw the question, “What project are you working on now?”
Our parents, devoted clergy and educators, always instilled in us the value of education, integrity, and looking good as you do it. Although I ran from the first two, I was captured by the latter. I’ve been on this educational journey now for 15 years, where 10 of those years were spent in the classroom teaching middle school science. Even in the classroom, my love for fashion surfaced, as my students became elements of the periodic table while rocking the runway. We created music videos while dressed up as parts of the cell. When my classroom journey ended, I was able to impact a larger number of students as a Classroom Instructional Coach. This allowed me to share my crazy ideas with other math and science teachers. I currently serve as The Workplace Learning Coordinator at Seagoville P-TECH. I must say this has been the most rewarding part of my educational journey thus far, having recently been awarded DISD’s Workplace Learning Coordinator of the Year.
If education is in my blood, I would say fashion is definitely the heartbeat that keeps my blood flowing. I was always the one my friends would go to for advice on what to wear to a party or they would ask, “Can I get something out of your closet?” One would look forward to seeing what kind of shoes she would be wearing on any given day. I always found freedom in putting on garments that reflected the opposite of my once quiet demeanor. Clothes helped me express my inner thoughts without having to say a word! I never hesitated to put on the shiniest pair of shoes or wear my collar popped straight up, as it gave me the voice that took a while for me to find.
As satisfying as it was to put on nice clothes, the educator in me could not be suppressed. What does one have to do with the other? I’m so glad you asked… I would find myself giving advice to women (only if they asked) about the garments they wore, thus birthing “Styled by Sibu.” My company focuses on the everyday woman who aspires to be her best self while wearing garments that exude the power she possesses within. That mother who is an expert at her craft, and has to walk in the boardroom to present that brilliant idea, but did not think twice about her appearance because she spent most of the night caring for a sick baby. There’s the CEO of that company that never really cared about choosing the right suit for her body type but now understands that a decision has already been made about her the second she walks into to room based on what she has on and how it fits. “Styled by Sibu” takes the power of education and applies it to your wardrobe needs from your closet in the bedroom to your audience in the boardroom.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, its had blocks, detours, and potholes, but for that, I am truly grateful. I give all honor to God for Devine setups. Everything in my life that should’ve disqualified me God used to put me before great people.
One of my greatest yet most rewarding challenges in life has been motherhood. Although I was the oldest, nothing prepares you for being a mother before you feel ready. At the age of 20, I found myself going into labor in my dorm room. I struggled to process what was about to transpire, knowing that I had only informed my family about a month prior to this. My body began contracting at 3:00 am but I was still in denial! Keeping my pregnancy a secret (even from my roommate) was the craziest, most irresponsible thing I could’ve ever done, but even in the midst of this God blessed me with a healthy baby boy. As time progressed I found a fight and resilience in me that I never knew existed. Not only did I graduate from college (even having to take the little one to class with me at times), but I excelled beyond what I ever thought I could. I graduated with honors, was the secretary of the SGA, became a proud member of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., all while my son was right by my side. I would be remiss to mention all of this and not mention that I wasn’t your typical single mother. I had a great support team that was headed by my son’s father and now husband. We are now the parents of two amazing boys and are going on our 13th year of marriage. Only God!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Styled by Sibu – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
“Styled by Sibu” focuses on the everyday woman who aspires to be her best self while wearing garments that exude the power she possesses within. That mother who is an expert at her craft, and has to walk in the boardroom to present that brilliant idea, but did not think twice about her appearance because she spent most of the night caring for a sick baby. There’s the CEO of that company that never really cared about choosing the right suit for her body type but now understands that a decision has already been made about her the second she walks into to room based on what she has on and how it fits. “Styled by Sibu” takes the power of education and applies it to your wardrobe needs from your closet in the bedroom to your audience in the boardroom.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like the most about Dallas is that anything you could ever want and need is located right here! We don’t have to go very far to find what we need.
What I like the least about Dallas is the traffic!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 469.430.9146
- Email: sibumcneal@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @sibu_mcneal
- Facebook: Sibu McNeal
Image Credit:
Jordan Mkwanazi Ceo and Founder of 1957 Productions
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