Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Martin.
Hi Carolyn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began my career in Fashion Design working for womens and childrenswear companies in their trend department. My role was to shop and research the latest trends and create design concepts for each seasonal delivery. It was incredible! Being paid to travel to NY, LA, Chicago and shop! Research and develop new trending colors! This was a dream role. However, I began to feel a bit stifled spending so many hours behind the computer. While I loved the role, I craved more human interaction. I wanted to feel like I was impacting people’s lives. In 2015 I got an opportunity to move to LA but the role of a trend specialist wasn’t common among most fashion brands and I didn’t want to transition into a design role which is more hours behind a computer. Instead, I took a role as a stylist for Trunk Club. I had no idea that this was going to change my life! At Trunk Club I was trained to style both men and women. I also learned to make men’s custom clothing. Even more than that, I learned how to be an entrepreneur. This was a sink or swim role and the best way to succeed was through stellar relationship building. Learning to understand my clients’ daily struggles with their wardrobe and their style. Finding solutions before they even identify the problems. This job was truly rewarding and I felt the direct impact I was having on my clients lives. But I wanted to take the service even further. I went independent and launched Carolyn Martin Styling. This allowed me to serve my clients on their terms, in their homes and with all the brands they love! It’s been five years since I started my business. It’s been the most rewarding role and I am so thankful I took the leap to become an entrepreneur.
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?
The majority of the struggle in owning my own business has been mindset. I have worked with many coaches who have helped me shift my mindself. Shoutout to Kate Taylor! <3 The only person who holds us back from success is ourselves. This is a lesson that I have been able to apply to all areas of my life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Carolyn Martin Styling?
Carolyn Martin Styling services creative executives, founders, and industry leaders who understand that image is more than aesthetics. It’s influence. It’s intentional. It’s walking into a room with a powerful presence without speaking a word.
I focus on creating standout wardrobes that reinforce my client’s personal brand. I build confidence, give them time back in their day and remove the daily stress of decision-making so they can keep their energy focused in their zone of genius. I help my clients cut through the noise of trend cycles, retail therapy and impulse buys to instead make intentional and strategic additions to their wardrobe.
Clients choose me over other stylists for my empathic approach. Listening and understanding who my client is as an individual is key to creating their authentic style and wardrobe. Imposing cookie cutter style rules and guidelines on every person doesn’t serve them. One can go to TikTok and Instagram for that.
My signature new client package is The Standard. It’s a 3 step process which includes The Edit, The Shop and The Style and comes with lifetime access to their personal Digital Wardrobe & Lookbook which holds all the value of the experience. I also offer Color Analysis, Men’s Custom Clothing, Executive Workshops, Red Carpet & Press Styling, and virtual services for clients beyond the LA area.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Being empathic. Clients come to me in vulnerable positions. They are physically opening up their wardrobes and sharing the good, the bad and the ugly with me! And on an even deeper level, they are also sharing about their relationship to their body, to their identity. They may be going through a life transition – postpartum, a divorce, a new job, a move to a new city, weight loss or gain. It can be intimidating to share those personal experiences and aspects so it’s important that I make my clients feel safe, comfortable and know that I am a trusted partner of theirs with their best interest at heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cmstyling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynmartinstyling/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynjmartin/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/carolyn-martin-styling-los-angeles
