It is a well known quip that people do business with those they "know, like, and trust."

But that of course begs the question... how do I get people to know, like and trust me?

The first one is easy, you market! You let people in your target market know you exist and are open for business!

The second one is a bit more complicated but still not too difficult. You get people to like you by being an all around pleasant, kind, easy to work with person. Most of us don't struggle with this one either :)

However, for some reason I see businesses all the time who struggle with the final piece, "How do I get people to trust me and my company?" 

One way to help your target market trust your company is to appear as a successful company in your arena. Even if you are just starting out, people trust those who are self-confident in their ability to serve their client.

One way to showcase your self-confidence and success is to dress in alignment with those you serve (or want to serve).

What does this mean? Well, it means dressing as a successful professional in your field. That doesn't mean you wear a suit everyday. What a successful lawyer wears will be a radically different style from a successful realtor or entrepreneur.

Ever heard the sayings, "Dress for the job you want?" Or "Look good, feel good, play good"? Well, they're true.

If you know how to dress your own body for your field, then people will assume you have the rest of your business together as well.

Think your wardrobe could use a facelift? Want to chat more about how your style could improve your business and brand? Let's do it, Mama!

Lately, I've been reading Folk Tales to my daughter. Even though she is too young to understand them, I know the sound of my voice soothes her, and I have enjoyed getting reacquainted with some of my favorite stories!

One of these stories is the story of the 8 Cow Wife. If you haven't read it before, you can read the full story here. I HIGHLY recommend it!!

The gist of the story is that on a Pacific Island far away, men traded cows for their wives. Most men paid between 3-5 cows for their wives, depending on their beauty. However one man paid eight cows (the highest number ever paid before) for a woman who was very homely, for a woman her Father would have given away for only one cow.

A man who was visiting went to the home of this couple, expecting to meet a woman who was not very pretty, but when he arrived he described the man's wife as "glorious". When he asked her husband where was the plain woman he was expecting, the husband went on to say that this was the same woman, but what changed her from the outside in was knowing that she was a woman who was worthy of 8 cows.

See, she was the same wife all along, but what changed her was realizing that she was worthy of the highest price that could be paid. This man wanted an 8 cow wife, but instead of finding a woman who was already beautiful, he simply paid 8 cows for the woman he already wanted, and she became it.

Even though its a fairy tale (and not a very feminist one at that), there is truth to this story. I have seen women who are struggling in their business, or have low self worth, but when you put them in an outfit they feel like a rockstar in, they change. They stand up a little straighter, put their shoulders back, and speak with more authority than they would have before. Sometimes, what is on the outside influences what's on the inside.

Who is a woman in your life who has all the raw material, but perhaps needs to invest in herself? Needs a bit of self care? Who could use some pampering? Maybe its you!

Can you think of someone?

My goal is to uplift women, and help them reach their full potential. Sometimes, the change starts on the outside. Lets work together.

Hey Mama!

One of the quickest ways to help pair down your dressing decisions (and make your closet look more organized!) is by making sure the only clothes in your closet are in season. I call it a "Seasonal Closet Shift". There is no use in looking at heavy winter clothes in the summer and bathing suits in the winter. (Its also depressing)

Granted, I know that in Florida winter only lasts five minutes. BUT theres also appropriateness of colors based on the season, so even though its still warm in the winter I do put away my summer dresses and Lilly Pulitzer & Tommy Bahama-esque clothing between November - February. Those living up North should do a Seasonal Closet Shift in April/May and in September.

I love to use Magic Space bags (which can be purchased at any major retailer) to pack away season clothing and store it efficiently. Here is a list of what I pack away in the Winter:

• Thick Jackets (I keep a light rain jacket out year-round)
• Winter hats, gloves, scarves
• Thick winter socks
• Heavy Sweaters
• Layering sweaters that I'm unlikely to wear in the summer
• Long sleeved dresses that I would typically wear with boots and leggings
• Hoodies and sweats (I keep them accessible but they don't take up drawer or closet space)
• Anything else that seems dark and winter-ish

Here is a list of what I pack away in the Summer:

• Summer Dresses
• Shorts
• Anything Lilly Pulitzer or Tommy Bahama
• Beach Cover- ups or resort style dresses
• Anything that screams "SUMMER!"

This Seasonal Closet Shift is also a great time to re-evaluate the clothes that are going back into your closet. Do you really still like/need them all? Once you've gone through all your clothes that had been put away for a few months, then you can create a shopping list based on what's needed for the upcoming season.

If you have any questions about this, or would like some help, simply click this link!

I'll keep this brief because I know you're running around making sure the Easter Bunny has got his stuff together (amiright?) Maybe you are ahead of the game, but this Easter has totally snuck up on me and I'm not ready!!

Luckily, I already have the perfect dress hanging in my closet (perks of being a stylist & shopping for other people all of the time... I actually get a chance to snag something for myself while I'm at it!). Make sure you are following me on Instagram so you get a chance to see it!

However, if you have absolutely no clue what to wear (and are freaking out because Easter is TOMORROW) never fear, my dear, Janelle Lara is here! LOL but seriously, here are my recommendations:

-ANYTHING FLORAL- florals for spring... groundbreaking. 😂 Yes, yes I know- but they actually are extra in this season, so wear a gorgeous floral print and be proud of it!

- Anything Lavender, Lilac, or Dusty Pink- those pastels are super duper trendy, and set you apart from the oceans of baby blue you're going to be seeing... something which especially bothers me, as baby blue is my favorite color and I want it back!

- Finally, you can never go wrong with white on white on white. I know, Mamas, this is super duper scary seeing as children are little stain monsters, BUT if your kids are older (or young enough that they ever touch the ground) this super chic look is perfect and will have you looking like a Swan amongst the Easter Eggs!

I hope this helps! Pretty please tag me in your Easter pics so I can see all your beautiful selections! And most importantly....

Hallelujah, He is Risen!

Hey Mama!

What if your closet was your favorite room in the house? What if it was organized, color coded, and filled only with clothing you loved?

My secret? The KonMari Method.

Yep, you read that right. The way I choose to organize my closet can be found in a book.

Go ahead, check it out. And if you want someone to walk you through the process, check me out here :)

Hey Mamas!

One style problem many women face is going straight to the sales rack.

I get it, we all want to save money, but you know the sales rack is full of clothes everyone else didn't want, right?

My shopping method is to calculate the cost per wear of each item. Namely, how much something costs every time you wear it.

So for example, I can get a top at Forever 21 for $15.

But after a few washes, it will likely fall apart or look faded. This becomes less and less cute and more and more sloppy as I get older. Lets say I only wear this top 6 or 7 times before I decide to donate it (and then replace it). Thats $2.31 per wear.

But lets say I get a top at Ralph Lauren for $45. Not crazy expensive, but not cheap either. And, its a better made, higher quality item.

I wear this top about once or twice a month over the years. It maintains its great look and shape. Lets say I keep it in my closet for 7 years (about the life cycle of a wardrobe).

Thats 168 wears, which comes out to a measly 27 cents per wear.

Now you tell me, which top was more expensive?

My advice? Buy good quality clothes you love, and save money in the long run.

Happy Shopping!

Fashion Week was earlier in the year, and it gave us some good insight into what will be trending this year.

The truth is, I could care less about fashion. What's fashionable today won't be tomorrow. Style is my business.

However, to maintain an updated look, its important to incorporate trendy pieces into your wardrobe. I typically allow myself between 2-5 "trendy" items each season (about 4 times a year).

If you're going out shopping anyways (with the handy dandy list I gave you!) you may as well pick up a few of these pieces along the way. Buying many clothes all at once actually saves you time and money because the clothing is more likely to all go together. Additionally, you're less likely to throw in an impulse buy you'll later regret because you're already dropping some serious coin.

So here are some qualities to keep in mind while shopping!

1. 

The color

Lavender ...

is MAJOR this spring

2. 

White Suits & Separates 

are always so classic

3. 

one word: 

FLORALS

...and another two words: MIDI SKIRTS (if you're tall)

4. 

Jean Jacket- 

If you don't already have one, get one.

5. 

The same goes for a 

leather jacket.

Happy Shopping!

P.S. If you want to update your wardrobe and have no clue where to start, check out my Mama Style Makeover Experience!