Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Newlands.
Hi Paula, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always been interested in fashion for as long as I can remember. If you count my first retail job at the age of 15, I’ve technically been in the industry for 20 years! Clothestime, American Eagle, and shortly after graduating HS, NYC to pursue a full-time modeling career. I spent most of my twenties traveling the world shooting editorial spreads, catalogs, looks-books, campaigns and strutting the runway for renowned designers and brands. What a time to be alive! Experiences I will cherish forever.
When the economy crashed in 2009, it was time to shift. I continued a part-time modeling career while pursuing a degree in merchandising / marketing; at this point, I was confident fashion was the path my life would take. Two years in, a school project turned into a business, a women’s accessories boutique based out of South Florida. My parents ran the brick and mortar while I did all the buying, email marketing, and social media from California.
Teamwork made the dream work, but after four years in business, we decided to sell.
After StyleNest closed, I accepted the position of an assistant personal shopper at Bloomingdales. I was there for two years. The job was fun and right up my alley, but unfortunately, there was no room for me to grow. So, I left and found myself at a crossroad once again. For months I researched positions in styling, personal shopping, wardrobe consulting, etc. and kept coming across Trunk Club. Are you familiar? I was so intrigued! A place where men and women could come for a personal shopping experience outside of the mall. And, each clubhouse throughout the country had an open bar! I would be given all the resources (clothes, clients) and all I had to do was what I was great at. I was so in. I packed my things and moved to Dallas. I got hired as a stylist, but quickly moved to a Senior Stylist + Custom Specialist position.
After four years with the company, I decided to go out on my own. Trunk Club set the foundation for me to feel confident enough to, once again, be an Entrepreneur. With all my experiences, I knew it was the right time and decision for me to move forward with my career. I am forever grateful for the hustle, the hurdles, the lessons: the managers, the co-workers, the clients, and all the relationships I made along the way. I am the best in my field because of it!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. Nothing about starting and running your own business points to a smooth road. There are constant speed bumps, especially when it comes to making the “right decision”, Some of the recent uphill battles have been adjusting my services and prices to align with my growth and clients immediate wardrobe needs, considering webinars and workshops to take, funds for a business coach, deciding if it’s the right time to hire, how to get creative with synergy partners and collaborations, applying for loans. There is so much that is constantly going through your mind and only you can decide what is right decision for your business! It’s a lot.
As you know, we’re big fans of Styled by Paula. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a personal wardrobe stylist. I absolutely love helping men and women build confidence through their wardrobe! I’ve noticed that at the end of the day we all have a closet full of clothes but most people don’t know how to get creative with what they have. So I create complete outfits with pieces my clients already own, photograph it, and share it to an album on their phone making it easy to dress for any occasion. Some clients find themselves wearing the same outfits time and time again, shopping the same stores, colors, styles, and silhouettes, or simply dislike shopping altogether. So I go in and help them sort through their clothes.
We’ll remove anything that no longer serves them, and at the end, I’ll provide them with a wardrobe checklist that helps them start shopping with intention. The goal is to set the foundation for a staple wardrobe so it’s easy to mix and match without hesitation. It is so important to know what flatters you and I just love educating my clients on what works best with their hair, skin, and body type.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I am a huge risk taker, hence why I started my own business. No one said it was going to be easy! But I just love a good thrill, the unknown, testing my abilities to complete tasks and goals. I have failed many times over, but I eventually wipe the tears and figure it out. It’s nice to feel, it’s nice to see what you’re capable of. You’d be surprised what you figure out when you have to! Risks are usually worth taking, especially if it’s something you are very passionate about, because what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!
Pricing:
- Closet Edit – $499
- Your Style Guide – $295
- Seasonal Refresh – $625
Contact Info:
- Email: styledby@paulanewlands.com
- Website: www.paulanewlands.com
- Instagram: styledby_paula
- Facebook: styledbypaula
