Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Nendick.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Christine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I created Rescue in Style as a way to show off all the adorable adoptable pets in need of homes. The idea came to me at the end of 2016 while scrolling through Instagram late one night and seeing fashion bloggers with their dogs. I immediately saw this large platform as a way to highlight so many wonderful animals. By pairing the dogs and cats with fashion, I wanted to target a new audience and bring them into the world of rescue.
Since launching the blog, I’ve worked with more than 30 rescues in Chicago and beyond. There are so many wonderful organizations doing fantastic work for animals. I hope to highlight their efforts and help them in their quest to save so many furry friends.
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?
I wouldn’t say it’s been smooth, but it has certainly been fun. The hardest part was starting and putting myself out there. The work I do is incredibly personal and that was tough at first. However, whenever I had any doubts, I would remember why I started this company and all the dogs and cats I’ve helped along the way.
There was also a steep learning curve with technology. I never built a website before and I certainly didn’t know what coding was (spoiler alert: I still don’t). However, I love research and learning new skills. So, now WordPress and I are (almost) best friends and me, I am proud of my website.
My advice to young women starting out would be to trust yourself and go for it. If you have a little voice in your head telling you to do something, listen. Sure, it won’t be easy, but you’ll find yourself feeling more fulfilled than you ever thought possible.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Rescue in Style – what should we know?
There are plenty of Instagram accounts featuring dogs or fashion, but I’m the first person to ever combine adoptable pets and style. I wanted a way to reach a new audience, one that might not be interested in following an account solely focused on animals. This way, I’m spreading awareness about a cause I’m passionate to someone who I wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise.
Most recently, I launched my #StrongBitch campaign with fellow advocate Johanna Bertini. The campaign celebrates women in rescue who embody strength in many different capacities. I highlight a new woman on my blog each week and share her story. Along with the features, I’ve partnered with local gyms to do charity classes in which all the proceeds are donated back to One Tail at a Time. It’s been a fantastic campaign and I’m honored to know these women. You can see all the upcoming workouts and more details about #StrongBitch here: https://www.onetail.org/donations/strong-bitch-iso/.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
There have been so many wonderful people to work with, just ask! I remember when I was just starting out, another blogger took me under her wing and was such a valuable resource. I’ve tried to pay that forward by helping others that are looking to get into the industry.
My best advice is to get out there and talk to people. I attended many networking events for bloggers early on and it was so beneficial. I joined Chicago Grammers and made some pretty fantastic connections and friends. If you see someone you’d love to chat with, send them an email and invite them to grab a quick coffee. We’ve all been beginners at some point!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rescueinstyle.com
- Email: christine@rescueinstyle.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/rescueinstyle
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/therescuerunway
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/rescueinstyle
Image Credit:
Margaret Rajic
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