The Interview
Styleforfree: How & When
did NessaLeeStyle get
started?
Vanessa: In
2003 I graduated from college. Directly from
there I applied for a bunch of PR/entertainment
jobs. I did a brief stint in those fields,
but wasn’t really feeling fulfilled by
any of it. From that point I took my fashion
knowledge and got into some personal shopping
for women mostly in NY, but also a few in other
states and even countries. I really like what
I was doing, but missed the excitement of the
entertainment industry. That’s when the
idea for a career that combined both came to
mind. NessaLeeStyle.com was born…
Styleforfree: Can
you elaborate on your personal story?
Vanessa: I
have a BA in Journalism from Rutgers University.
As a little girl I was all about dress up.
Tutus, mom’s old gowns, grandma’s
beaded necklace…basically anything I
could play house in. When I got older I was
still into fashion. I loved being the first
to have the newest ‘it’ item or
finding something unique and different in an
off beat store, but I never even considered
a career in fashion. It wasn’t until
I was out of college that this career became
a thought.
SFF: What's
new this Spring on NessaLeeStyle?
Vanessa: In
early April NessaLeeStyle.com launched
phase two of our website. It's been re-vamped
for a more mature feel and offers tons of new
features and functionality to make the shopping
experience a better one for our customers.
SFF: What
makes your store so unique and such a fun place
to visit?
Vanessa: NessaLeeStyle.com stocks
over 70 brands. Unlike many of the other shopping
sites our site is partially devoted to celebrity-worn
fashions. This means we carry items that characters
on tv shows wear or celebs are seen in at events
or in candid everyday photos. Many of our competitors
stock items that look like celebrity-worn items,
but we carry the actual item (brand and usually
color if available).
On
our site the shopper can search by category,
brand and also celebrity, making it easy and
even fun. We also carry many old favorite brands
like James Perse and Citizens of Humanity and
hard to find brands like One Teaspoon from
Australia and American Retro from France. Customers
who otherwise wouldn’t have access to
them, now do.
SFF: What's
next on your calendar?
Vanessa: In
late April we're sponsoring a release party/fashion
show for IFASHIONTV in
Los Angeles. We are expecting a great turnout
and you will be able to watch interviews and
clips from the event on their website, as well
as see photos from it on ours. We are also
adding some great new fashion related features
to NessaLeeStyle in upcoming months.
SFF: Any
inspirational tips or thoughts for those who
are starting their own ventures?
Vanessa: Do
your homework! One of the worst things I’ve seen is
a lot of young women jumping into business ventures with
no experience or assistance from an experienced person. It’s
important to have realistic and well thought out plans, otherwise
a lot of money could be wasted. Once you have that and feel
secure, anything is possible.
SFF: How
would you describe your ideal customer?
Vanessa: Fashionistas
of all ages that have an interest in celebrity
fashions or just looking good.
SFF: Any
chance our visitors could enjoy an exclusive
shopping discount?
Vanessa: Yes!
Use coupon code: STYLEFORFREE for
20% OFF anything. Currently no expiration.
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