GlamourByLBD Note: When I first met Julie B., the stylish and fun CEO of The Magic Fridge at the eWomen Conference, we were relaxing in the pool after a day of travel. The next morning, when I saw her in the hotel lobby, my eye was immediately drawn across a hotel lobby to her use of color, an integral part of Julie’s signature style. I asked her to write about how she uses her creative sense of style to project her image as an entrepreneur in a creative business. Remember, your signature style is reached when you dress for the life you want in the body you have.”
About a year ago, I made a discovery about myself when a simple and common question was asked in a slightly different way. It’s a great business strategy to work with your strengths, but instead of bluntly asking, “What are your strengths?”, this particular worksheet asked, “What are you frequently complimented on?”
I would never have listed my personal style as a business strength, especially since my business has nothing to do with fashion, but it is something I am often complimented on. I was just starting to get into business networking in a big way, and I started looking at how people dressed at networking functions. Everyone was working very hard to have their business stand out from the crowd, but at most of these functions, especially the co-ed ones, fashion seemed to be at the bottom of the priority list. I realized that by having interesting clothes and accessories, I might be able to stand out and be remembered in a positive way.
In one particular organization, we wear our business cards in badge holders clipped to lapels or on neck lanyards, so I often dress in colours to match my business card. I use a neutral metal necklace in place of the standard woven lanyard with promotional printing on it so as not to detract from the ensemble. For other groups, I have a plain silver-coloured magnetic nametag with my name printed in black in large letters, but not my company name. This emblazons my name in people’s memories and prompts the question, “What do you do?”, which starts the conversation for me.
Another strategy I use is to dress in neutrals with a standout necklace or earrings. I often network in denim trousers, a white or off-white shirt, grey blazer and a string of oversize bright orange beads - think giant orange gumballs against a white and gray background; of course they get noticed! I have a similar turquoise necklace, a string of shiny bright yellow-green buttons, artisan-made copper and glass earrings, and an African-look wooden necklace with flat wood discs the size of a digital camera, painted to look like ladybugs. When I show up as a return attendee at a networking group, I am often recognized, both consciously and subconsciously, by my outfits, or more accurately, the difference between how I dress and how everyone else dresses.
In embracing my love of fashion, and especially jewellery, I am able to enjoy networking in a way I never had before - it used to be my least favourite part of being a business owner. Now, choosing and wearing elegant and interesting clothing and accessories makes getting up at 6AM, eating rubber eggs and drinking tepid coffee almost tolerable.
Julie’s fabulous sense of style and her culinary treats can be found in Ottawa, CA or by visiting her website at www.themagicfridge.com.
Are you looking for your own signature style but can’t make it past the maze of your closet? Email me and lets change that!
