A few months back the adorably sweet Lisa, from The Style Theory, reached out to me about collaborating with her on a new project to coincide with her clothing line that launched this year. Lisa and I met a few months back at an ipsy event in New York City. Lisa doesn’t know this, but I met her at just the right moment.
Meeting fellow bloggers, YouTubers, and the others in this industry is one of the perks about being in the community. You get the chance to engage with like-minded individuals. You can gush on about SEO or social media strategies without something wanting to take a fork to your eye. Unfortunately, there is also a small handful of people in this community that aren’t in for the same reasons I am. Many are chasing a hope of fame, internet celebrity, or the chance to take a selfie with a famous YouTuber. They care about stats, and who has the most. They care about cold numbers more than authentic engagement, collaborating, or creating work they are proud of and love making. And, unfortunately for me, I seemed to keep running into these kinds of people.
But, then I sat myself down next to Lisa at a round table at the Dream Hotel conference hall in NYC and immediately hit it off. We talked about growing our brands. We talked about empowering other women and about the stupidity of competition in the industry. We chatted about the need for collaboration among fellow bloggers and women entrepreneurs. It was a breath of fresh air just when I needed it most and turbo-charged my desire to seek out more women like myself to work with and collaborate with in 2017. It reminded me how the people I had been meeting are a small fraction of this community and that most bloggers share that same desires and wants Lisa and I do.
So, when Lisa asked if I’d come to New York for a photo shoot and mini interview for a new feature on her site, I jumped at the opportunity. Lisa’s shop, The Style Theory Collective, and her blog, The Style Theory, are all about “encouraging one another to discover our true happiness throughout every facet of life.” I am honored to be the first woman to be featured in #HerStyleTheory. #HerStyleTheory is a place where Lisa features female creatives, entrepreneurs, and makers, in hopes of inspiring, encouraging, and empowering. She also created a little BTS interview style video of my day with her, and it makes me feel so fancy…just sayin’.
The Style Theory Collective has the trendiest clothes. As someone who chooses comfort over style 3/4 the time I immediately felt mega chic. Lisa also styled our photo sesh area with the cutest pieces from cute geodes to adorable notepads.
I think my favorite outfit was this navy skirt which Lisa smartly paired with a brown suede moto jacket. I could live in this jacket, for real. Add an over-sized blanket scarf and I’m golden, guys. GOLDEN.
Let’s just pretend this is my real desk. K.thanks.bye.
The moral of my story is that collaborating with others in your community is such a rewarding a worthwhile process. One of my big blogging goals for 2017 is to continue to foster relationships with fellow entrepreneurs, bloggers, doers, and makers. Other people who I can get inspiration from and collaborate with. What I love about But First, Coffee as well as Caffeinate and Conquer is the constant learning experience it is. I’m learning and growing so much, everyday, from this process. Being able to network with others doing the same thing is one of the best ways to continue to learn and grow.
I’m so thankful that I get to be a part of this little community! I’d love to hear some of the ways you’ve collaborated or worked with others in this community! Let me know!
Snatch up the pieces I’m wearing here at Style Theory Collective.
Photos are from the GENIUS mind of Corinne Louie.
What’s one of your biggest goals for 2017?