1. Be Confident
You chose to become a fashion stylist for reason. It was something you were called to do. Why are you not functioning at your full potential? Do you doubt your ability to be a successful fashion stylist? Are you afraid that you'll get on set and forget everything that you have learned or lack the knowledge or skills to get the job done? Acknowledge your skills and experience and know with your full being that you are equipped to handle the job. As a fashion stylist you are a visionary and know how to think outside of the box.
You welcome challenges and make the ordinary, extraordinary, the impossible, possible. To be confident and realize your full potential as a fashion stylist, you need to believe that you are competent and know that you are the right person, in the right place at the right time to get the job done.
2. Be Fearless
Every fashion stylist experiences fear at one time or another. Fear is part of the perfectionist aspect of your personality which attracted you to a career as a fashion stylist in the first place. Very often fear prevents fashoin stylists from high yield activities like cold calling, sending emails and attending networking events. Accept fear for what it is and do the work anyway! The more you do the tasks that you don't want to do, the more you will get to do the tasks that love to do.
3. Work Smarter, Not Harder!
Let's face it. As a fashion stylist your plate is always full! Between conducting your administrative duties, styling jobs, networking and travel time there never seems to be enough hours in a day. As a fashion stylist you must learn to work smarter. You cannot be a great business person when you are experiencing stress and burn out. Is it time for you to hire an assistant?
Do you need to set boundaries around your business with clients, friends or relatives? You became a fashion stylist because of your passion for fashion and your entrepreneurial spirit. Take the time evaluate your business and make necessary changes.
4. Value Your Time
Time is money. You only have 24 hours in a day. As a fashion stylist, you must be aware of the things your are spending your time and energy on. Busyness does not equal money. Bookings equal money for a fashion stylist. Therefore, a large amount of your focus should be on obtaining work.
Don't straddle yourself down with tasks that won't earn you money. Try using the 70/30 rule. Prospect for business 70 percent of time and limit administrative duties to 30 percent of the time. Remember, as a fashion stylist your job is mostly business and business should be your first priority. Styling comes second.
5. Set Your Fees Appropriately
As a fashion stylist, you spend many hours doing prep work and post production work aside from what occurs on the set. You have travel expenses and supplies expenses etc. Are you billing for these items? You've conducted research online, visited showrooms, etc. Are you including these hours of work as part of your hourly or daily rates? It takes great skill and a lot of work to complete a fashion styling assignment. Be sure to charge what you are worth!
