Let me start by saying that Heidi would have hated that I’m posting these photos. But, they are the only ones I’ve got and they remind me of a really lovely evening with some of my very first clients. Each one went from an acquaintance to a good friend. So I’m posting them. It’s also a reminder that we are our own worst critics.
Six years ago this month, I started Poplin Style. Jumping into an entirely new career based entirely on my feeling that I’d be good at it and it would make me happy, I announced to the world that I was now a Personal Stylist.
I never could have done this without the intricate, vast, surprising support system all around me. Yes, my husband is incredible. And, yes, I have great friends, too. Yet, surprisingly, it was the friendly acquaintances who took a chance on me that were integral to building this business.
When I decided to reinvent my career, I happened to meet my husband’s boss, Heidi. She insisted on using my services. In fact, my first client was a good friend, Lauren, and Heidi was my next. But, Heidi was different. She saw what I had to offer, the early incarnation of the Style 360. But, it wasn’t for her.
“I know what I like. I just hate to shop. I don’t want to go to the store together. Can’t you do something else?”
And the Uber Wishlist was born.
I poured over her Uber Wishlist for hours next to the pool on a family vacation. When I finally completed it, she was elated. And that kicked off wishlist subscriptions. Heidi subscribed to a monthly list for a year.
The rest is history.
We lost Heidi a couple of weeks ago, now. I’ve been thinking all about this post since that day. But, it’s taken me some time to sit down and write it.