Community Highlights: Meet Elisa Ellis of Turnkey Style

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elisa Ellis.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Our family had a new opportunity so we moved from Temecula, CA area to Westlake Village, CA and we didn’t know a soul. We had to start over and as a corporate gal who frequently traveled for work it quickly became apparent, that I could no longer keep up with the work travel and raise my two young boys.

We didn’t have a support system in place so I quit my corporate job and decided to become a stay at home mom and work my side hustle with Stella & Dot as a full-time job. Many of my Stella & Dot clients were also speakers and women in business and they often wanted to know how to wear their statement jewels with more than one outfit so I would go to their homes and help them style new outfits. Then I also had friends who were getting divorced and they needed help putting together business casual and/or business professional outfits (so they could go back to work). After many years, I decided I would try to turn what I was doing for free into a business and my company, Turnkey Style, was born.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning, the road was not smooth but I like to think that I am on the scenic route. If I was to do it over, there were definitely some things I would do differently but in the end, it’s been an amazing journey. Over time you learn from your mistakes because when you are entrepreneur, you don’t know what you don’t know. For example, I didn’t do my due diligence on research and branding and I chose a business name which turned out to be taken. The original name of my company was too similar to one that was already trademarked, so I had to rebrand about a year in. That was a costly expense I wish I could do over. I also spent money working with other entrepreneurs who said they could build my website but really were not qualified. In the end, all the bumps in the road have taught me so much about myself and my clients. My business started out slowly and then as it really started to pick up the pandemic hit. The shutdown caused me to rethink and re-strategize my business model. Taking a moment to pause worked out because it gave me time to blog, do live videos on Facebook, create content and create an online Closet Transformation Course, “The Closet Transformation: Unlock the Secrets to Clean Out Your Closet.”

As you know, we’re big fans of Turnkey Style. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I work with women who want to look good, feel good, and have more confidence. Style is not a size and I believe no matter what the scale says or what the tag on your clothes is you can look good and have confidence. I help with closet edits, outfit coordination, personal shopping, styling for special events, and updating a look for lifestyle pics, professional headshots, or branding. A wardrobe stylist can be for every woman, not just the rich and famous.

I specialize in helping my clients clean out their closets and let go of what’s not working for them. Many of my clients are women over 40 and they are going through some sort of transition, like a divorce, a new job, empty nester, menopause, and/or they have reached a point in their lives when they are ready to make some time for themselves. I am most proud of helping my clients find more confidence and feel beautiful again. Oftentimes, women may feel frumpy, overweight, not happy with their bodies and I encourage them to find clothes that fit the body they have now and let go of what’s not working for them. After working together, many of my clients share that it’s “so much easier to get dressed,” they feel “so much lighter,” and they find they “have confidence and feel great!”

I also help clients coordinate new outfits, create capsule wardrobes, and make a list of what they might need to fill in the gaps. Shopping can be about finding what you need instead of buying what’s on sale because it’s a good deal. Many of the women I work with end up saving money because they now know what to buy for their shape and size. Clients may also need a style refresh for professional headshots or lifestyle pics so I work with them on the “look” they are going for and which outfits work for their lifestyle.

Depending on the client, I also help with shopping for new outfits and shopping for special occasion clothes. I encourage clients to look for clothes that fit the body they have now (not the one they had, not the one they want). I want them to stop waiting and look good, feel good and have more confidence now.

What sets me apart from others is I am not into trends. I want to help my clients find classic pieces that will be timeless.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I think most people don’t know that I have been everything from a size 10 to a size 18 plus and back again. I say plus because I stopped buying clothes when I reached that size and at one point couldn’t fit in them. I know what it’s like to have a closet full of clothes that you spent a LOT of money on and not one thing fits. I know what it’s like to be in your closet crying because nothing fits. I know what it’s like to have to let go and start again. I am also a speaker and best-selling co-author of Spark Your Shift.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://turnkeystyle.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylishcurvygirl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stylishcurvygirl
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeswbJUMj6FDBYwFKvP7MyQ
• Other: https://turnkey-style.mykajabi.com/