Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofia Córdoba.
Sofia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began my career when I was 16 years old as a model in different campaigns, fashion events, and TV shows. After successfully working for several years in the industry of fashion, photo shoots and TV, I realized I had to focus on something creative and related to the fashion business. That is why I decided to pursue a degree in Marketing and Advertisement, which provided me with the necessary foundation to understand the commercial structure of the fashion industry. In addition, this allowed me to learn and appreciate the sensitivity of the consumer and the importance of an impeccable image in the corporate world. While I was going to college, I started to develop my own clothing business. I worked as a fashion distributor in smaller towns in my home country, which simply confirmed my life-long love for fashion and allowed to directly tie my passion with my studies.
In 2010, I met my husband Francisco. We got married a year later and had to move to the US. The idea of leaving my country was exciting and inspiring, but the reality of what it meant for my life was also overwhelming and, frankly, terrifying. I had spent four years building my clothing business, endured the stress of making the business take off, and then years learning my marketing and advertisement specialty, only throw it all away and star over from scratch. It was such a huge risk, and I have was nervous. But I knew that if I didn’t make the decision to leave, I would always regret what might have been.
Leaving my country was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. I had to learn English and find the best way to assimilate into the culture. But those challenges pushed me to grow in ways I could never have imagined. Yes, I made a lot of personal sacrifices, but doing so only made me realize what was important to me.
Before leaving Colombia, I was working as a retail manager. Although I had a good job and was happy with my salary, my job didn’t truly fulfill my life. I knew that there had to be something more that I could contribute to the world. It was overcoming my client’s personal battles with fashion and clothes that helped me realize my life’s true calling: to become a personal stylist and personal shopper and help others find their own stylish relationship with fashion. But I didn’t know where to study for that.
Six years ago while I was living in Madison and taking English classes, I noticed that little by little, the city was becoming a more diverse city with modern buildings, young professionals, and important companies. This was making the city more appealing not only for living but for starting any type of small and bigger businesses. At the same time, however, I noticed that while the city continued growing and attracting younger crowds, it’s more relaxed and casual style was not necessarily fitting or keeping up with its ongoing growth. This then inspired me to create a place where people could identify themselves as unique individuals, merging the human essence with the physical expression. The end result? To improve their qualities and diminish the small imperfections that at any given time in life, might make us feel insecure and fearful because of the way we look or the image we are portraying.
One day, when I was speaking with my husband Francisco about my future in my new home. I realized that I’ve spent the last 15 years working full time as a woman passionate about fashion, style, and trends but most important about life and helping people through my passion. This is why, later on, I decided to go to Europe to specialize as an image consultant, personal shopper and style creator. As soon as I got my style certification as a personal stylist and personal shopper from the school in Madrid, I got back to the US and started Sophisticated Personal Shopper business.
After two years of having a successful business in Madison, my husband was promoted and we had to move to Chicago. Yes, I had to move again, so I closed my Madison office, and then I had to discover the logistics of running my business in a new, big city while maintaining the faith that it would all work out. Undoubtedly, moving to this gorgeous city together with my husband has been the best decision we’ve ever made. Chicago has allowed us to live a wonderful lifestyle, while I have been able to position sophisticated in the next level. Today we help customers in other cities such as New York, Miami, Indiana, and Madison and even beyond borders especially in Latin American countries. Also, Chicago gave me the opportunity to partner up with designers, boutiques, showrooms, local business, and malls.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being an entrepreneur while pursuing dreams, isn’t easy. But it’s worth it. When I decided to opened Sophisticated Personal Shopper, most people in my life were encouraging and excited for me. Others, telling me, “This kind of business is really hard work-what if you fail? “Are you sure people will pay for it and hire you to say how to dress and what to wear? I laugh about it now, but at the time I was really hurt. Not everybody is going to agree with your choice to open a business. People may be scared to ever do what you are attempting to do, and they may be projecting their own fears onto you. I had to stop looking to others to approve my business and just follow my heart.
In real life, things are not always going to go to the way you think. There will be hardships that you couldn’t have predicted, and you will have to learn new skills that might push you outside the comfort zone, but it is all part of the growing process and it will make you stronger, better and ultimately more successful.
So much of what happens with the business is outside of our control. All you can do is come from a place of passion, believe in yourself, and do everything in your power to make the business succeed. Then, you have to let go and trust everything will fall into place the way it is meant to.
My business gives me the opportunity of growing every day and to face the challenges that having business brings. Challenges such as getting the name of the company out there, having people trust in you, effective word-of-mouth marketing, and the opportunity of visualizing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sophisticated Personal Shopper – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Sophisticated was born on August 2, 2013, almost two years after moving to the U.S.
Our mission is to help others find their own stylish relationship with fashion. With our services, we show our clients (men and women) that they can achieve their style, wardrobe and image goals by dressing their bodies in a confident way.
With work experience on our side, we had the pleasure of working with countless strong, powerful and wonderful customers. As your personal stylist, we are committed to creating the best look possible for you! That means no basic looks. This is a style that is personal to you. We will go through your current clothes, learning when to play it safe and when to challenge you with something new. Most importantly, we will learn where you are now and where you want to be.
Each styling experience can be customized to suit your individual style needs and budget. Through our styling services we will identify your personal fashion style; together we will transform your wardrobe, we shop for you and develop your signature style.
We offer the following services for men and women: color and body analysis, wardrobe styling and guided shopping tours, outfit combinations and even seasonal maintenance and gift certificate.
Last but not least, we often like to tell 5 reasons to hire Sophisticated Persona Shopper:
We guarantee that you will have a curated wardrobe full of clothes that were hand-picked for you, and fit you perfectly.
We will help you save your time (and time is money) because we do all the heavy lifting.
We will keep you in the loop with all of the latest trends, designers, stores, and of course, find the most amazing deals that will help you make smart purchases and save you money.
We help you open your eyes to items you would never pick out yourself.
Our services allow you to represent yourself in the best way possible and when that happens to possibilities are endless!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
The beauty of life is in the unexpected and unplanned events. But, this year, we set one large goal for our business:
Create an etiquette school to educate corporations and individuals on self-confidence, the importance of personal image and communication, while reflecting appropriate conduct in their personal and professional lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sophisticatedps.com
- Phone: 6087705778
- Email: info@sophisticatedps.com
- Instagram: Sophisticatedps
- Facebook: Sophisticated Personal Shopper
- Yelp: Sophisticated Personal Shopper
Image Credit:
Juanchoscphotography
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
