Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Mellon.
Dawn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I spent the first ten years of my career in sales, marketing, marketing communications, and media relations in the high-tech and banking industries, and by 31, I was an assistant vice president for a $30 billion bank holding company.
As much as I enjoyed my career in ‘Corporate America,’ I decided to start a family and to take what would end up being a nine-year sabbatical. In that time, my husband, Jon, and I moved from Cleveland to Chicago to Dallas with our two beautiful children, Andrew and Erica.
At the time, there were about 900 consultants selling ETCETERA throughout the country, and I think I was ranked in the bottom 25%. That didn’t make my competitive self very happy. So, I took my sales and marketing skills and grew my business enough to earn the title “Rookie of the Year.”
In fact, within two years, I was ranked as the top consultant in my region and one of the top ten in the country. That success led to an invitation to sit on the company’s coveted Editorial Board. Every month, I spent three days at the company’s headquarters in New York working directly with the design team to influence the next season’s collection.
Eventually, the women who were purchasing clothes from me wanted more. They wanted me to help them complete their outfits by recommending shoes and handbags and accessories and so forth. They wanted me to organize their closets and create look books. They wanted me to be their stylist!
Suddenly, I found myself having two full-time jobs – selling ETCETERA and being a stylist. I knew I had to choose between the two, but I had no idea exactly how I would make that decision. That is until I joined a bible study group and met Pat Smith, the beautiful wife of NFL Hall of Fame Inductee Emmitt Smith.
At the end of the day, my reward is knowing the impact I’m making in the lives of my clients will, in turn, make an impact on the lives they touch.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
My advice to those who are just starting their career in styling is, first and foremost, to know there is enough work for everyone. It’s important to stay humble, work hard, and act in a manner that is befitting of our profession. Be respectful of those who have paved the way for you to realize your own success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dawnthesavvystylist.com
- Phone: (214) 740-3018
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
1. Me with Ashley Roethlisberger (wife of Ben Roethlisberger) taken at Fashion Designer Nha Khanh’s studio by Nha Khanh.
2. Me and a friendly reindeer at a holiday part at Martini Consignment taken by Gregory Martin.
3. Me and my husband, Jon, at the premiere of ‘The Real Housewives of Dallas’ by Gregory Martin.
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