IAM704- Fashion Stylist Serves Millennials to Lead Successful Careers

Brittany Diego is a fashion stylist based in Los Angeles with extensive experience working with a diverse range of A-list celebrities and companies including JustFab, MTV, Fox Studios, The CW, and more.

However, it wasn’t until she established herself as a stylist, that she saw an opportunity to serve millennials in need of career development and professional guidance.

By applying the same strategies Brittany used to get hired at top fashion companies, Fashion Mentor provides aspiring stylists and designers with the tools, resources, and knowledge to lead successful careers in the fashion industry.

• CEO Hack: Giving myself set work hours for a task
• CEO Nugget: Just start it, there's no perfect moment and don't wait for permission/approval
• CEO Defined: Being a leader, and role model and setting the example and standard of success for myself

Website: https://www.fashionmentor.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashionmentor.co/
https://www.instagram.com/brittanydiego/

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Transcription

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[00:00:02.20] – Intro

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

[00:00:30.10] – Gresham Harkless

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast, and I have a very special guest on the show today. I have Britney Diego, a fashion mentor. Britney, it's awesome. How are you on the show?

[00:00:40.00] – Brittany Diego

Thank you, Gresh. I'm excited to be here.

[00:00:42.70] – Gresham Harkless

Definitely. Super excited to have you on. Before we jump in, I want to read a little bit more about Britney so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing. Britney is a fashion stylist based in Los Angeles with extensive experience working with a diverse range of a list celebrities and companies, including JustFab, MTV, Fox Studios, The CW, and many more. However, it wasn't until she established herself as a stylist that she saw an opportunity to serve millennials in need of career development and professional guidance. By applying the same strategies Britney used to get hired at top fashion companies, FashionMentor provides aspiring stylists and designers with the tools, resources, and knowledge to lead successful careers in the fashion industry. Britney, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

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[00:01:27.20] – Brittany Diego

I'm ready.

[00:01:28.20] – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. Let's do it. So I wanted to to kick everything off by rewinding the clock a little bit and hearing a little bit more about what I call your CEO story. We'll let you get started with your business.

[00:01:38.00] – Brittany Diego

Alright. So, basically, I started Fashion Mentor to fill a need in my community. I've always loved fashion since I was a kid. When they would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said I wanted to be a fashion designer, and that, of course, evolved into styling. And I realized I went to fashion school. So I got my degree in my bachelor's in fashion design and everything, and all my internships were based in fashion. However, when I graduated, I was in for the shock of my life when no one would hire me because I was poorly prepared for the actual job market. So I knew how to do the job.

I knew how to make clothes. I knew how to sketch. I knew how to, you know, do everything, but actually walk into a room confidently and really know the skills and what to say and what to do to get the job. So, through a lot of trial and error, a lot of error, I, really started a blog, called Fashion Mentor, to really log the information that I learned along my journey, such as what to wear to a fashion interview or what type of questions to expect at a fashion industry interview. It's way different than your typical corporate.

For example, I would always get so much anxiety, practicing my answers, practicing what are my strengths and weaknesses, and they wouldn't even ask me that. They would ask me what are my favorite designers, what are my favorite fashion shows from the last season. And I'm just sitting there like, I don't know because I've been spending so much time on these typical interview questions. So, I mean, I can tell you what my weaknesses are, but I don't know what this is. Don't you wanna ask me this instead?

So through my experiences, I just decided to create a blog to help, I guess, the next generation of people who aspire to work in this industry with actionable info. So I create a fashion mentor to serve that. Actionable info. So I created FashionMentor to serve that need. Since twenty eighteen, it has grown from a blog to seminars, and workshops. Now we're doing virtual classes, and we launched our very own fashion career conference. So it has really grown into its own community. I'm super proud of it.

[00:04:01.00] – Gresham Harkless

Nice. I am definitely excited to hear, you know, all the awesome things that you've been able to do. And I think, you know, you're so right, and I find it and I found it myself too, is that a lot of times you have the knowledge of how to do the job, but you don't have all the time, those soft skills, or even awareness of what you even need to be successful. So that's why I love what you've been able to create and build and kinda pay it forward, it sounds like.

[00:04:24.80] – Brittany Diego

Thank you. Yes. That's exactly what my goal was, to pay it forward.

[00:04:28.60] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. That makes so much sense. So I know you touched on, you know, some of the things that we can find on FashionMentor. Is there anything, anything any additional things that you have, that you're working on or that we can find on the site, and who would be kinda like the typical people to to go there?

[00:04:44.10] – Brittany Diego

Yes. So my target audience is, mostly people who are either in fashion school, graduating from fashion school, who are once in the place that I was, or professionals who want to transition into fashion. So I actually do, one-on-one career coaching, and I've gotten nurses who have worked in the medical industry for twenty years, and now they wanna pursue their real true dream of working in fashion. I recently got a medical biller, slide into my DMs asking me for advice. So there are people out there who are now realizing it's time to take control of their dreams and their lives, and I'm so glad that they've chosen FashionMentor to help them on that path. So my website, I have a library of ebooks, and educational ebooks to teach about different topics within the industry such as getting your social media.

And, again, these are skills that, no, you won't learn in fashion school. So getting your social media on point, what to include on your fashion industry resume, what to put in your cover letter. Right now, the big focus is virtual styling since that's the direction we're really headed in, due to this pandemic. Everything is moving virtual, and fashion is no different. So I'm sharing what has worked for me. I've been doing virtual styling as well with my clients, using Zoom to the mats and, just teaching them how they can transition their businesses online. So I have virtual classes teaching how to start the virtual side of their business, as well as it virtual pivot your style and business ebook coming out.

[00:06:20.30] – Gresham Harkless

Nice. I definitely appreciate that because I think so many times, you know, people may not wanna, I guess, take that step or take that leap into, like, being, you know, a fashion stylist and not sure exactly what to do. But I appreciate you for, sometimes, you know, taking the bumps and the bruises and being able to, again, kinda pay that forward for everybody else. Because I think so many times people, you know, don't know that they can do this until they see somebody do it, hear somebody do it, and, of course, be given the tools in order to be able to do it themselves.

[00:06:51.10] – Brittany Diego

A thousand percent. Yes.

[00:06:53.39] – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. So would you consider that to be, what I call, like, your your secret sauce? The thing you feel kinda sets you in your organization apart and makes you unique?

[00:07:02.50] – Brittany Diego

Yes. Definitely. Because I find that most times when people go back and teach about a topic, it's because they have ten years of experience, and now they're saying, okay. This is what I learned, you know, back then, and this is what I'm gonna teach you. But I feel like my unique selling proposition is I'm currently working in the industry. So I can be doing styling someone for the red carpet on the weekend, and then on Monday, I'm saying, okay. So this is what you actually need to avoid a wardrobe malfunction on the red carpet, or this is what you need in your tool kit. This is what happened to me so you can avoid this situation. So I find it helpful that I'm actually still working in the industry simultaneously as I'm teaching about it.

[00:07:44.19] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. And I know we kinda touched on, you know, when we're recording this and with the pandemic and everything, but I think, you know, just with technology in general, especially too, there's so much disruption happening and things that are changing and evolving and need to be, you know, you know, pivoted from, I guess you can say. So, I think that that's a a huge thing because I think one of the hardest things to do is if you're so far away from kinda maybe I don't wanna say the day-to-day, but that's what's coming to mind of the industry that you lose touch and be able to kinda teach and empower so many others.

[00:08:15.30] – Brittany Diego

No. Absolutely.

[00:08:16.89] – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. So I wanted to switch gears a little bit, And I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO hack. So this could be like an Apple book or habit that you have. What's something that makes you more effective and efficient?

[00:08:28.69] – Brittany Diego

That is a great question. So recently, I started to implement giving myself work hours. So even though I work completely for myself, and I could work at any time, I've started giving myself set hours during the day because I find that when I say, oh, I could do that later or I'll do it after dinner, I end up procrastinating. So I give myself set hours that I work, and I don't unless it's like an absolute emergency, something's due the next day or whatever it may be, I give myself just that time. Also, to create some balance in my life because I was finding that I was working till, you know, midnight and one in the morning and, you know, not really doing much outside of work, honestly. So giving myself those hours has definitely made me more efficient because I said, okay. I need to finish this, this, and that during these times, and that's all I'm giving myself.

[00:09:26.60] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. That makes so much sense. And I think that especially, you know, during this transitionary time where people are becoming more virtual, I think that's one of the most under, kind of underappreciated hacks just because I think having that same kinda consistency as far as, like, the schedule of time you're gonna work, for one, it helps create that expectation, also gives you that space, you know, away from work and be able to kinda come back to it. But I think as you said too, I think work sometimes expands the amount of time you have allotted to it. So if you have twenty hours of your twenty-four hour day, then a lot of times you won't actually be as efficient and get so many things done when the time is allotted because you feel like you have unlimited time.

[00:10:04.50] – Brittany Diego

Exactly. And that's what I was doing before. That was not working. So, you know, I wanted to give myself time to be able to, you know, talk with my friends or hang out with them. And now it's via Zoom, but still having that extra time is everything.

[00:10:17.39] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. And I think we need all those things in order to be our best selves and to keep our cups full. So it's so important that we, my we are aware of that until we execute on that. So I definitely appreciate that hack. So I wanted to ask you now for what I call a CEO nugget. So this could be a word of wisdom or a piece of advice or something you might tell if you were to hop into a time machine and tell your younger self.

[00:10:41.29] – Brittany Diego

There's a lot I would tell my younger self, but I guess I'll start with this one. I would say just start. So I find that so many people have analysis paralysis. They're waiting for the perfect moment, everything in the line of the stars to align for them to start their project or release that book or, you know, launch whatever. Just do it, and you will figure it out along your way. You overthinking it, you're gonna find something wrong every step of the way. So just do it and then tweak it as you go.

[00:11:13.20] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. I love that nugget. And I think so many times as you said, you know, waiting for the stars to align for the temperature to be perfect. If it's one degree too high or one degree too low, it's not the right time. It's not the right day. But I think that, as you said, and I think most people that have been successful, you understand that you take action, and then you start to adjust and you shift from that. You start to take in that knowledge and information, and then you take the next steps from there. And you're so much better at the steps you take because you've taken that action earlier. You've taken it off, and you've been able to kinda learn from that.

[00:11:43.79] – Brittany Diego

Exactly.

[00:11:45.50] – Gresham Harkless

Oh, that's so awesome. And, now I wanted to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO. And we're hoping to have different quotes, unquote CEOs on the show. So, Britney, what does being a CEO mean to you?

[00:11:58.10] – Brittany Diego

A CEO to me means being a leader, being that person that I wish I had looked up to growing up. So just really being a role model and setting the example and the standard for success for myself.

[00:12:14.20] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. And I love that. And even speaking into what you said earlier because I think when you start to kinda create your own or scratch your own itch and create the thing that you're looking for, be the person you're looking for as well too. Not only do you help yourself and be able to help your business, but I think on a deeper level, as you mentioned people, you know, sending you messages, going through the DMs, it's because people start to get attracted to what you've been able to do and build. And once you become that person, you start to attract those people who want to be where you are as well.

[00:12:43.60] – Brittany Diego

Absolutely. Yeah. You hit it right on the nose.

[00:12:46.29] – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Well, Britney, truly appreciate that definition. Appreciate your time even more. What I wanted to do is pass you the mic, so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional you want to let our readers and listeners know, and, of course, how best they can get a hold of you and find out all the awesome things you're working on.

[00:13:00.50] – Brittany Diego

Yes. So I guess piggybacking off of my CEO nugget, I would also say, you know, in addition to not waiting for the perfect time, don't wait for permission as well. I find that a lot of people, especially in fashion, I was doing a live class and people were asking me when I start calling myself a fashion stylist or a celebrity stylist or whatever it may be. And I'm just saying no one's gonna bestow that title upon you. You have to really claim it for yourself. So you just have to go for it and be confident enough in your skills that you are already that person and step into your greatness. So don't wait for permission.

And I would say also, don't wait for approval. Because if I had waited for approval, just a quick, backstory. When I was still in fashion school I expressed that I wanted to be a stylist, and I mentioned I majored in fashion design, the higher in my university said I should get a job as an assistant designer for a few years, save up money, and then pursue styling. Now if I had done that, I would probably have gotten too comfortable in that assistant designer job and not even pursued my true dream dreams. So go after it and you will figure it out. I promise.

[00:14:14.10] – Gresham Harkless

Absolutely. No. I love that, and I think that's so important just because, you know, as you said, I think so many times we're outwardly looking for that approval or for somebody to accept us even to some degree too that we'll again, that doesn't always align with those stars, so we'll never end up taking action. I think that understanding that understanding first of all, there's this thing called imposter syndrome, and many people just about everybody have it. And the difference between those people who are successful and those people who don't care is the action that they take. So they're never looking for their approval. They're never looking for the right time, and they're taking they're taking that action in order to make that happen. So I definitely appreciate you, reminding us of that.

[00:14:54.60] – Brittany Diego
Yes. And, as far as reaching, reaching me after this, you can find me on Instagram at Brittany Diego, b r I t t a n y d I e g o. And if you're interested in a fashion career, check out fashion-mentor dot co. Our Instagram is also the same as the website domain. It's Instagram slash fashion mentor dot co.

[00:15:14.79] – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. And to make it even easier, we will have the links and information shown to us as well too so everybody can click through and find out about all the awesome things you're doing as well, Britney. But truly appreciate you, obviously, for your time, but for reminding us of the things we need to, need to keep, in line about how we can reach our dreams and do the things that we need to do to be successful. So appreciate that, and I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

[00:15:37.89] – Brittany Diego

Thank you, Gresh. Likewise. I appreciate you.

[00:15:41.50] – Outro

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Google Play and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.

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