Rising Stars: Meet Heidi Mckinney Simpson of Cary

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Mckinney Simpson.

Hi Heidi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was trained as a personal shopper in 1996. I worked in every facet of retail for over twenty years. In 2009 I found myself as a single Mom of three, working fifty-plus hours a week. I knew I needed a change. In 2010 I had a new man in my life and had moved to a different company in hopes of a better work-life balance. Things did not work out as planned. The new job was a terrible fit, and I was let go. It was the first time I had ever lost a job. My now-husband told me I could cry for the weekend, but on Monday, I was going to register for classes.

I went back to college and earned multiple degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology with the intent of going into police work. In my last year of college, I had a surprise baby and a cancer diagnosis. Again my life took an unexpected change. Police work was no longer an option. I was dealing with cancer, a newborn, three older children, and a double major. I was borderline agoraphobic. My mother saw me struggling.

She invited me to attend a “jewelry party” that ended up being an event at a hotel with a few hundred women. I was a wreck. I ended up modeling a necklace in front of all these people. I agreed to have a showing to earn the necklace I had put on me. I had a fabulous turnout and asked my friend Linda how much she was making off my show and when she told me, I decided I wanted to do it. This choice truly would change my life.

My Mom had to drive me to my first few shows. The night of my fifth show, I had to drive myself. My oldest son was the only one home. As I stood at the front door having a full-blown panic attack. My son grabbed me by the shoulders and said, “If I were a grown-up and needed to buy jewelry, I would want to buy it from you” He opened the door, pushed me out, and locked the door behind me. Again, I had no idea the changes ahead! I was finding success and confidence through Park Lane jewelry.

A woman on our Park Lane team ran a successful media company and asked me to take a look at her closet. I wiped out her closet, and we got her a new wardrobe at a local thrift shop for a few hundred dollars. She started hashtagging her photos #heidiapproved. She told me she knew women would pay me to do the same for them as I had done for her.

I have been in business as a stylist a d personal shopper for over eight years. My mission is to empower my clients by making them feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful whenever they walk out the door. As women, our wardrobe is our canvas and our armor. I use my retail experience and life experience to impact my clients and the women I network with. I aim for my services to be attainable to any woman that needs me. There are times in our lives that we need to be reminded of our power and worth. I help my clients reconnect with that side of themselves. I truly love what I do. It is my passion. That is why my clients call me their fashion fairy godmother!

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Is any road to success smooth? The last eight years have been fraught with struggle. As a business owner, wife, and mother, things have been an uphill battle. I am cancer-free but have dealt with complex health issues, finally receiving a diagnosis that has given me a much better quality of life. Our family has been through financial and familial stress. As with most struggles on the other side, you see how those struggles shape who you are. I am still a work in progress. With the support of my husband, family, and amazing support network of friends and colleagues, I feel like I am finally hitting my groove. Every day I continue to learn and grow.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Ever since I was a child, I have loved playing dress-up! Growing up, my family wasn’t well off. My parents were very young. I didn’t have school clothes from the mall until seventh grade. My Mom worked extra to save money to take me shopping. I can picture every item we purchased that day and how I felt wearing them. I’ve carried that feeling all these years, and it motivates me to help others find that feeling.

What sets me apart from other stylists and shoppers? I start with clients in their closets. Walking into a woman’s closet tells me a story of who they are and how they see themselves. Growing up the way I did, I always looked to find clients the best quality for the best value. Of course, I love shopping retail. But, my true passion is consignment shopping. There is nothing better than getting designer pieces for great prices.

About a month ago I shopped with a new client. She had been home with her kids for a few years and was headed back to the workforce. Her concern was she had a $200 budget. We hit up my favorite thrift and consignment shops. Why consignment? She went home with twenty-four items, nine new tags, for $191. The perfect wardrobe should be within reach for everyone.

One of my proudest moments was hearing my teenage daughter talking with her friends a couple of years ago. She said, “Don’t you know what my Mom does? She dresses people, and she’s awesome at it. She’s a total badass.”

Knowing that I impact my clients’ lives and that my daughters see my success is a constant motivation.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me isn’t necessarily about how much money I earn. It is more important than I am making a difference to the women I work with. Seeing them walk taller as they finally see themselves as I do, is a success.

Pricing:

• Closet consultation $350
• Shopping $35 per hour
• Personal look book $250
• Consignment Crawls $125 per person
• Accessories consultation varies $35- $200

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fashionfairygodmother
• Email: heidiapproved@gmail.com