Today we’d like to introduce you to Keylee Sanders.
Keylee, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I moved to LA almost sixteen years ago and worked on camera as a host and style expert. I knew I wanted to work in fashion for as long as I remember and got my degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising. One day on set I was telling everyone else what to wear on camera and the producer asked me if I was a stylist. I literally had no idea what that meant but I said yes. He was producing a commercial the next week and needed a stylist- I got the job! I wobbled my way through that first job and that turned into another and another. I then started working with personal clients on and off the red carpet.
I costumed and styled film, commercials, advertising, photo shoots. I have been a style expert for national television, contributed to national publications, hosted and produced fashion shows for major retailers and department stores… a little bit of everything.
I now focus on personal shopping, primarily acting as a fine jewelry broker- buying and selling stones and fine jewelry for private clients. I work with clients all over the country and with all budgets. For example, if someone is getting engaged they will come to me to select the stone and then we will build a setting or a client is looking for a sapphire of a particular size, I will source the stone and then build the piece. I still get to design and style only now it is with platinum and diamonds!
In the past few years, I have made another dream of mine come true, I am now a writer as well. I have written and contributed to things for over twenty years but a few years ago I decided to tell my story and started a blog, it has been a huge success and it is something I am very proud of- www.betrayedbykeyleesanders.com
I love my friends and family, I love wine and martinis, funny movies, high heels, and travel! I work to travel.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I feel like nothing worth having is a smooth road, especially in LA. I have basically worked for myself for the past 18 years, I tell people often that it is the best bad decision I have ever made. I love what I do, I love my clients, and I love the freedom my career provides me but that doesn’t mean it is easy. When you have your own business, you are in charge of; marketing, accounting, social media, client relations, public relations, customer service, business development, etc. etc. etc. It takes a LOT to keep all the plates spinning at the same time.
One of the biggest challenges I face is constantly reinventing myself, it is the only way to survive in business. I have moved city’s, I briefly lived in San Francisco, I have changed paths, I have taken opportunities and all of it is within my area of expertise but the company is always evolving.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Style Studio has always been known for quality, discretion, honesty, and highly personalized service. I am very proud of the brand I have built, we do a little of everything in the style world and the company is always evolving but the focus is the same, only the best will do.
Specializing in fine jewelry has been such a fun transition for me. I went back to school and learned to use the skills I already have in a whole new way. Business is all about customer service, if my clients have a good experience then they come back to me and tell others about Style Studio. I have never advertised and rely on word of mouth so this is of the utmost importance to me.
What were you like growing up?
I don’t think I have changed much since I was a child. I have always been outgoing, a lover of style and red lipstick, a risk taker (some would say I take too many risks) and an obsessive traveler. I grew up on a horse and cattle ranch in the very small town of Louisburg Kansas. I graduated from Kansas State University and moved to LA less than three years later. I think I had the perfect childhood, well pretty close to perfect. I had the freedom and land to spread my wings, I rode my horse and my ATV almost every day. My sister and I even had a pet cow, on top of the 200 + head herd my father had.
I was always into fashion, I would go and “check” on the animals wearing plastic high heels and my swimsuit. I was always wearing crazy outfits, red lipstick (still a habit today), and been a lover of shoes. I thank my mother for passing on her sense of style and glamour to me, to this day she is still the most glamorous woman I know. My dad is a true cowboy but always embraced his super girly girl.
I also was an entrepreneur from the start. I started my first business when I was six years old and never stopped.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stylestudiola.com
- Phone: 310 709 0290
- Email: info@keyleesanders.com
- Instagram: @keyleestyle, @stylestudioLA, @betrayedbyks
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/keyleesanders
- Twitter: @keyleestyle
SONY DSC
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
