I absolutely love to tell a story…
I have identified myself as a writer for quite a while –
it is one thing I just love.
I was extremely lucky and got to tap into this passion of mine at a very young age –
while working at my hometown newspaper in high school.
The editor allowed me to not only write my own column – but also to write news stories & features. One of the things I loved more than anything was getting the chance to sit down with a person, listen to their story, and express that in their behalf through my writing.
it is one thing I just love.
I was extremely lucky and got to tap into this passion of mine at a very young age –
while working at my hometown newspaper in high school.
The editor allowed me to not only write my own column – but also to write news stories & features. One of the things I loved more than anything was getting the chance to sit down with a person, listen to their story, and express that in their behalf through my writing.
I used to do this all the time with my blog –
I was very specific in how I shared another person's story – choosing only people that I knew personally, that I believed in & felt a connection to – not just other fashion bloggers or people that would maybe help gain exposure for my blog or make me look better. With this story – I am tapping back into that.
I am sharing another small town girl’s story… a dear friend of mine – who I am beyond proud to watch succeed in her personal and professional life.
I was very specific in how I shared another person's story – choosing only people that I knew personally, that I believed in & felt a connection to – not just other fashion bloggers or people that would maybe help gain exposure for my blog or make me look better. With this story – I am tapping back into that.
I am sharing another small town girl’s story… a dear friend of mine – who I am beyond proud to watch succeed in her personal and professional life.
People – meet : Morgan Jessup.
Morgan and I grew up together
in the tiny town of DeWitt,
Arkansas.
We had a love/hate relationship – like most dumb girls do
when they all compete with one another in a small town.
Morgan is loud, opinionated and passionate – exactly like me.
We butted heads at times. We’ve had a share of fights and disagreements throughout the years … and just like any friend you “grew up with” – we are VERY different people as adults than we were growing up. Morgan has a real story of her own – a personal journey that I would never share for her – but that I will testify has been difficult, trying and refining. This girl has gone through things at the age of 29 – that many of us pray we never experience.
Morgan is loud, opinionated and passionate – exactly like me.
We butted heads at times. We’ve had a share of fights and disagreements throughout the years … and just like any friend you “grew up with” – we are VERY different people as adults than we were growing up. Morgan has a real story of her own – a personal journey that I would never share for her – but that I will testify has been difficult, trying and refining. This girl has gone through things at the age of 29 – that many of us pray we never experience.
BUT…
Morgan is a warrior. A fighter. She is a faithful believer –
and a person who strives to do what she can while she is able to do so. In
these facts alone – she has become a younger friend that I respect and admire.
I love her hunger. I adore her drive & fearlessness.
And I love that I get to share a little of her story with you today.
And I love that I get to share a little of her story with you today.
Morgan started off as a personal stylist in Little Rock,AR
while working at a local clothing boutique.
She quickly began to connect with clients and adored the relationships she was building. She also kept hearing many of the same complaints coming out of clients and shoppers mouths :
“I don’t have anything to wear”, “I wish someone could pick out my outfits”, and “I need help with my wardrobe”.
These are complaints that women have on a daily basis – in general – and in Arkansas it gets even a little trickier…because many do not have celebrity type salaries to hire a stylist … much less even dream of finding someone affordable to help them sort out what they ALREADY HAVE in their closets, build outfit ideas from an outside perspective, and assist them in purchasing the minimum amount of items to fill in the gaps of their wardrobe.
Morgan saw this need – and she went with it.
She quickly began to connect with clients and adored the relationships she was building. She also kept hearing many of the same complaints coming out of clients and shoppers mouths :
“I don’t have anything to wear”, “I wish someone could pick out my outfits”, and “I need help with my wardrobe”.
These are complaints that women have on a daily basis – in general – and in Arkansas it gets even a little trickier…because many do not have celebrity type salaries to hire a stylist … much less even dream of finding someone affordable to help them sort out what they ALREADY HAVE in their closets, build outfit ideas from an outside perspective, and assist them in purchasing the minimum amount of items to fill in the gaps of their wardrobe.
Morgan saw this need – and she went with it.
This is a closet consultation/wardrobe styling service –
that is affordable, personal, and in my words only…f’ing LEGIT.
This idea is so practical it’s almost a no-brainer.
Actually – it’s totally a no-brainer.
This idea is so practical it’s almost a no-brainer.
Actually – it’s totally a no-brainer.
I work in fashion every day in NYC – and I still want Morgan
to dig through my closet and accessories, build me a portfolio of outfit
options for any occasion,
& tell me the basics I should focus spending my money on.
& tell me the basics I should focus spending my money on.
I’ll let the interview tell you the
rest of her story…
*My bad on the long ramble.
I just love my friends?
{or i just have zero clue on how to "make a long story short".}
: q & a :
"I started personal styling while working in a cute little boutique in Little
Rock Arkansas. After styling on the side for almost a full year I decided to
make a go of it and try it out full time. Word of mouth spread and I have been
fortunate to work with ladies all over the great state of Arkansas as well as
Tennessee. After 2 full years of styling/personal consulting/personal shopping - I decided it was time to take MJ.Redefined to the next level. I wanted to
incorporate more of the “shopping” side of my business. I know what I like and I
know what looks good on other people so I figured - why not just start an online business as
well?! Now my clients have the option to shop directly from MJ.Redefined. I now carry
some fabulous, contemporary lines that can be incorporated into any wardrobe to
take it up that extra notch. Whether a client wants a whole new look or she just
wants to know how to wear what she already has in her closet MJ.Redefined's goal is to help clients look and feel their very best.
Everyone has their own style, some just need a
little help defining it."
Describe your personal style.
"My personal style is all over the place. I love the contemporary look mixed
with a little bohemian. I feel my best in an oversized sweater, skinny jeans or leggings and
a high pair of boots - accessorized to the max. I love a great layered look as well
as mismatched patterns and colors. Style is so much fun because you can recreate
yourself everyday! One of the best things I hear from clients is “I would have
never put that together but it looks so good”! I get such a joy out of blowing
clients minds with all the possibilities they have in their closets and don’t
even know it!"
What are the main questions/complaints you hear from
clients about
their wardrobe or closets?
"The number one thing I hear is “ I don’t have anything for you to work with”.
That has never been the case and is in fact the reason I do have a job! Women
think they have nothing in their wardrobes until I get in there closet and prove
them wrong. I have to admit it is a fun “I told you so” moment when they see the
finished product - a customized portfolio. A lot of women tell me that they want
to lose weight before they schedule a consultation. This breaks my heart because
it doesn’t matter what size you are - every person deserves to look and feel their very
best every single day. We can make you look amazing at any and every size. One thing I would like
to get across to clients is that I am not in the business of judging. I am in
the business of helping."
How do you determine someone else's style &
maximize that to make them
look and feel their best?
"Determining a client’s style is pretty easy for me. I can tell really quickly if
they are conservative, trendy, contemporary or if they are the classic “I wear it
how I saw it in the store” type of girl. Determining personal style and getting a
feel of what it is they are wanting out of the consultation are two crucial
factors in creating a client’s portfolio. I always try and encourage my client’s
to get out of “their box”. Whether that be a lot or a little is completely up to
them but I always give them options that they never considered before. Of course
it is never the same options for everyone. Every girl’s “box” is different. I have
been so blessed to work with ladies who have had open minds and have been
willing to trust my suggestions and in doing so they begin to create their own
style."
Top 3 MUST HAVE pieces every woman should own?
* A great fitting pair of skinny jeans.
* An over-sized bold colored cardigan.
* An amazing pair of boots.
Tell us 3 random things about you outside of the fashion world...
* Sometimes I will bust out a random head stand when I’m bored.
* My go to song to play on the piano is Michael Jackson’s Will You Be There
(from the Free Willy soundtrack.
* I can fix ANYTHING with Duct Tape and I mean ANYTHING.
* * *
fashion. duct tape. spontaneous head stands...
i can get down with that.
hope you enjoyed the chit chat.
i'm about to stare into my closet &
get pissed that i don't have Morgan here to
pick me out a friday outfit.
bye.
{ find this little lady's website : HERE }
