Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Lang.
Hi Carrie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I found inspiration for my styling business by assisting friends with outfit selections for events and helping a family member shop for his wife during Christmas. My friends and family always knew I had an eye for putting outfits together and enjoyed it! So when my friends were stressing about having an outfit to wear to a wedding or event, I would gladly do all the research for them, similar to my sister-in-law’s husband. He knew she wanted clothes for Christmas but needed to figure out where to start. I made a digital document called a Lookbook that was easy to understand and included direct links with pricing to make purchasing my recommendations quick and easy. Post-Covid, as people ventured back into the world, I offered free outfit recommendations to gauge the demand for my services. I started noticing how many women hate shopping, are going through a career transition, or need to refresh their wardrobe to feel more confident. That’s when I knew I had something to work with. I thought starting an Instagram would be my “in” to help people find me, but that wasn’t the case. I knew I had to get myself out there and meet people. To expand my reach, I attended networking events and offered free Lookbooks, which helped spread the word about my services. I do my best to show up in person and connect over email and Instagram to shoot my shot for the next opportunity.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Admitting that I’ve encountered significant challenges is tough, especially when I receive continuous encouragement from those who believe in me. Starting a business is highly intimidating, with more unknowns than knowns. I started this venture entirely from scratch and on my own. The most challenging part is working in isolation; I don’t always have someone to bounce ideas off of or challenge my thinking. It’s solely up to me to make mistakes, learn from them, seek resources like books, mentors, and webinars, and stay updated on tools that simplify business building. Therefore, handling the mental challenge of remaining patient and persistent is demanding. I try to remind myself that there will always be entrepreneurs who are more successful than me. Instead of comparing myself to them, I focus on connecting with them. Learning from their expertise inspires me to reach new heights.
We’ve been impressed with Duo Personal Styling, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
My styling business is dedicated to assisting women in making mindful shopping choices, simplifying their getting-ready routine, and feeling great in their outfits. In a world where we can purchase anything anytime, impulse buying can lead to unworn items piling up. I aim to guide women to select pieces tailored to their lifestyle, reducing clutter in their closets and allowing them to appreciate their favorite items more easily. I provide recommendations endorsed by good reviews sourced from customer-friendly websites to streamline the shopping process for busy individuals. When helping clients organize their wardrobes, I teach them how to create outfits from their existing clothes and identify items for donation. If a client doesn’t seem excited about a specific item, likely, they don’t wear it. While I offer professional advice, I always respect my client’s attachment to items that boost their confidence. Removing unwanted items is essential to me, as ensuring they are donated to places where they will be helpful or responsibly recycled, avoiding contributing to overseas dumping or landfills.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some changes you expect to see over the next five to ten years?
In the next 5-10 years, my vision for Duo Personal Styling involves expanding its partner network and continuing to foster strong relationships with existing clients. With the evolution of technology, I plan to stay current on the trends in styling, whether using a styling app or learning about new platforms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://duopersonalstyling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duo_personalstyling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075612415948
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-tkz/
Image Credits
Bridget Bellucci by Bridget Photography, IG – @bybridgetphoto, Website – https://www.bybridgetphoto.com/
