Today we’d like to introduce you to Lora LaPratt.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lora. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started Shopping Girl XOXO just over nine years ago after completing my second degree in Fashion Merchandising. I always loved helping family and friends put looks together and the requests were starting to grow to referrals. I enjoyed helping people feel confident in their own skin through fashion so I decided to start SGXOXO as a side job. I quickly discovered that I had a real passion for helping woman look but most importantly FEEL amazing in their wardrobe. It is so fulfilling to watch someone’s confidence grow in just one day of working together! When I first started my business I had about five jobs, from bar-tending to managing local boutiques to doing window displays at stores down town. Year after year I was able to drop another job until SGXOXO became my sole income. I now have a great client base of woman who come to me on a regular basis to help them for every season and event on their calendar! The relationships I have with such a diverse group of fabulous woman is one of the main reasons I absolutely love what I do!
Great, 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?
With a job in the fashion industry there are always busy seasons and slow seasons, so I’ve learned along the way to prepare for both! During the slow seasons I now do my best to get as much of the behind the scenes work done! The not so glamorous parts of being a stylist that nobody ever thinks about like the paper work, the bills, the social media content and keeping clear notes on client information! Now that my business has become established it is just as important to stay super organized when the busy seasons approach so that I’m sure to have ample time to focus on every individual client in my calendar! It truly has become my absolute dream job, but that doesn’t mean that every day is smooth sailing. Running a business is invigorating, exciting, and terrifying…much like a roller coaster! 🙂
Please tell us about Shopping Girl XOXO.
Shopping Girl XOXO is a Chicago based personal styling business that helps woman to feel confident in their wardrobe! I focus on getting to know my clients on a personal level and bringing out each individual’s style to fit and flatter their life! I help clients go through their existing wardrobe to create new looks while incorporating fun modern pieces to tie it all together! I pride my business on styling my clients with local designers and pulling from local boutiques before anywhere else! Not only does this help them to look unique, but supporting small businesses is a major passion of mine and I’m so happy to have been able to incorporate the two in such a substantial way! The SGXOXO showroom is something that really sets us apart and provides a private, comfortable and modern atmosphere to display the most current fashion by local designers and style my clients.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Wow, that’s a hard one! My childhood was filled with amazing memories! I would have to say that spending the summers at our family cottage sharing a bedroom with all of my girl cousins and a home with my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and immediate family on a lake in Northern Michigan for three months out of the year really shaped who I am today. We have a large family and everyone has their own personality, so living in such close proximity helped me to understand and appreciate relationships. I love what I do today because I am constantly meeting new amazing clients whose connections continue to grow as we continue to work together! Helping them to bring out their very best through a new found confidence is what keeps me in love with my job every day!
It was the encouragement of these family members I had styled throughout my childhood that gave me the idea to start my own business!
Contact Info:
- Address: Shopping Girl XOXO Showroom
4847 N Kenmore Ave
Apt 1
Chicago, IL
60640 - Website: www.shoppinggirlxoxo.com
- Phone: 5173036903
- Email: lora@shoppinggirlxoxo.com
- Instagram: shoppinggirlxoxo
- Facebook: @shoppinggirlxoxo
- Twitter: @shoppinggirlxo
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shopping-girl-xoxo-chicago
- Other: www.shoppinggirlxoxo.blogspot.com
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