Today we’d like to introduce you to Hanna Ashbaugh.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Hanna. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
How did I get into this crazy career? My grandma was my muse and shopping for others was a dream.
We were encouraged to do what we loved-(thanks mom and dad!) so I wanted to shop for a living. I didn’t even know that was a job (personal styling), but I knew that I truly loved all things wardrobe. That it had a certain power.
Whether we like it or not- we live in a visual world. I love that you can use wardrobe as a tool; an expression of who you are and how you show up in the world.
Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, a lifetime of studying my grandma, going to school for fashion and working as an apparel representative styling (albeit inanimate) mannequins- my dream was born.
(Of course, it wasn’t as simple as a dream being born).
My brother helped build my first website (and many thereafter) and I started working with friends’ family members, friends of friends, basically; any one that would hire me!
I kept going and here I am a decade later!
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?
Entrepreneurship has its up and downs. I chose it because of its freedom and of course, my love for wardrobe and shopping (as cliché as that sounds).
Has it been easy? Absolutely not. Would I do it all over again? Absolutely yes.
Starting a personal styling business in 2008? Not the best timing. And, at the time, I didn’t know anyone doing what I wanted to do- so I was literally making everything up (prices, systems etc).
(I don’t regret much) but I do wish I had interned for a stylist.
My first three years of business were really difficult; I had unrealistic expectations. But my perseverance paid off and I’m still amazed I am paid to shop.
And, I am still learning. I think that’s necessary to growth (never stop learning).
It’s difficult managing all the tasks. Clients, scheduling, marketing- the list goes on (and sometimes feels never ending) but the joy of being with my clients is why I do what I do.
Most of my clients have become dear friends and are like family, it’s an intimate experience spending so much time with someone.
I’m so grateful I have a job that allows me to spend so much time with incredibly talented, fun and intelligent women.
Hanna Lee Style – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I help working moms look put-together with functional fashion and head-to-toe outfits.
My personal styling services are unique in that I pre-purchase and shop from 4-6 different stores and bring it all to one convenient location.
Women come to a two-hour fitting and try on 6 different stores merchandise. All the merchandise mixes-and-matches and is styled as head-to-toe outfits.
No piece stands alone. It all works beautifully together. They keep what they love and I return the rest.
Secondly, I offer an outfitting experience where I put 20 head-to-toe outfits together and photograph each outfit.
Whether it’s the new wardrobe they’ve purchased or using their existing wardrobes, I style 20 head-to-toe outfits and photograph each outfit in two hours.
Afterwards, clients receive a customized app of their outfits. Literally, outfits at your fingertips. Technology is magical!
Some clients use this tool for packing for business trips where they have day meetings and special events at night. To them, packing and figuring out what to wear is a nightmare- for me, it’s fulfilling and result driven- I know how much time I’m saving them. Packing is often the last thing they want to think about so I take that stress away for them.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
A few moments stand out in my career. One, when I was standing in a closet with a woman who’d had breast cancer.
She was crying and telling me how much it meant my being there that her body had changed a lot, she didn’t feel like herself. She needed new wardrobe.
That my being there was helpful. She felt taken care of.
I remember that moment vividly. We were both crying and hugging, and I remember thinking “this is why I do what I do.”
Another was when a client had met her future husband; remembering a few styling tips in mind- she wore a bright dress and red lipstick to a party. Two years later they married.
I imagine she felt cheerful and approachable that day, and as a lover of love- that story stands out to me and makes me happy.
Lastly, as a working mom, I now appreciate how much (as working moms) we do. It’s astounding really. We can do anything. But it doesn’t mean we should (wink). Time is the ultimate currency. I love knowing that when they hire me I am giving them back time to do things they love and actually want to do.
Whether it’s more time with the kids, working, seeing girlfriends or a date night with their husbands; my clients save ten plus hours (not having to shop and return), money (on unused clothing) and they feel taken care of and supported.
That’s a proud moment for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hannaleestyle.com
- Phone: 312.972.1814
- Email: hanna@hannaleestyle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannaleestyle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HannaLeeStyle/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hanna-lee-style-chicago-2
Image Credit:
Hanna Lee Style
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