We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Charlene Lawson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Charlene, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
While working in Corporate America I met so many ambitious, accomplished, and brilliant women who were confident in their professional skills but struggling with professional style. Many of them were rapidly advancing in business but their image did not match their new level of success. Others wanted to express their personal style but didn’t want it to detract from their accomplishments or draw too much attention to themselves especially in male-dominated fields. As a fashion lover, I always showed up to work in a power suit or killer dress with heels. My attire increased my confidence and was the armor I needed to walk into any boardroom and own it. Women were always approaching to ask where I got this or that and how they too could get their closets together so I ended up helping a few colleagues revamp their closets and the light bulb went off. For one, I was having the time of my life and two, seeing a woman’s confidence go from a 5 to a 10 was everything to me! I felt I had found my gift, purpose, and calling – empowering women through style. At the end of the day, when we look good, we feel good. And when we feel good, it works magic for our confidence in our personal and professional lives. After working in the oil and gas industry for 5 years, I went back to school, earned a certification in fashion styling, and launched my company Style Chemistry Consulting.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I own a wardrobe styling business that helps modern working women elevate their image and get dressed exactly how they want to be addressed. My styling company is unique in that 90% of my clients are styled virtually. Thanks to my expertise and technology, I can effortlessly style women locally in Houston and across the globe from the convenience of their cell phone, laptop or tablet. In addition to virtual styling, I do event styling, photoshoot styling, closet detox, and speaking engagements on cultivating your image and personal brand.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?
My business has grown tremendously since I launched in 2018 and it definitely was not easy LoL! In the beginning, I simply was not comfortable with selling but I had to change my mindset and realize that I am here to provide solutions to a problem that many women struggle with- getting dressed. So, it would be a disservice for me not to offer my services. The main sources of growth for my business have been consistently showing up on social media and in-person at conferences, networking events, and basically anywhere my target client hangs out. I strive to provide excellent results, which has led to many client referrals as well.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. 
The biggest lesson I have learned is that it’s more important to be productive than it is to be perfect. Stop overthinking everything and launch the new service, make the video, do the live, it will be OK lol. Brand Mantra: You don’t have to sacrifice style for success or authenticity for ambition. You can truly have it all!

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
In addition to styling, I’m also a PhD chemist, hence the company name Style Chemistry Consulting, where we have fashion down to a science.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my bestie was visiting I would definitely take her to Phil and Derek’s for Happy Hour, Max’s Wine Dive for brunch and Steak48 for dinner. We would shop at the Galleria and catch a live show at the Miller Theater.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out my mother Jenny Hull. She has been my rock from day one and the wind beneath my wings. Thank you mom for always supporting my dreams and having my back. Love you!

Website: www.stylechemistryconsulting.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/stylechemistryconsulting
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stylechemistryconsulting

Image Credits
luvangelamariestudios photosbyjericka jphanneyvisuals