Can I love this part of me?

Dearest sweet soul. We're rounding out summer, and I figured it was time to start back up the sometimes-monthly-sometimes yearly CEO Corner Emails. 

These are personal stories, what I've been readying, what I've been posting, etc etc.

Mostly, I have missed the FUN of business, styling, and CONNECTION with all of you - so here we go! 

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What I've Been Thinking About: 

Unconditional love -- and the frequency of radical self-acceptance.

When I started out on my personal development journey, I really wanted to be the absolute best version of myself. It seemed like such a worthy endeavor: maximize the talents and gifts I have been given. And try to "heal" my way out of anything I didn't like about myself.

Sounds great in theory. In practice? A lot of shame about areas that I deemed unloveable. 

And over the years, what I have found is that it comes back to the frequency of love. Unconditional love. Pure love. No fixing, no escaping -- love. The question I ask myself: Can I love this part of me? Can I allow someone else to love this part of me?

And the extra beautiful thing: This happens in community. In sisterhood. In partnership. In friendship. In family. What is the purpose of healing and growing if not to experience more love and connection? 

 

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What I've Been Reading: 

In line with a little summer break from personal development -- I listened to the audibook of Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. OH MY GOSH, it was fantastic -- sad at times, but I was totally immersed. 

And I have been loving Real Magic by Wayne Dyer. 

For the real nerdy business, The Wisdom of Teams is one I recently started (this one is great for building out company culture.)

 

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How to Work Together: 

  • Ready to work together with a transformational stylist? Taking on 2 more styling clients for September. Let's talk. Remote styling or in person stylist are both available. Details here.

  • LUXURY SHOPPING IN PARIS is just over ONE month away. There is a spot for a 1:1 VIP Day OR a spot for the group experience. Check it out and book here!

  • Are you a stylist ready for mentorship? Growing your business, hiring a team, streamlining your packages, or tightening up your marketing systems -- let's go. (reply to this email with mentorship for more information)

  • THE STYLIST MASTERMIND is here -- Gosh, my favorite thing. We added a payment plan, extended the time together -- you don't want to miss this community. Details + application.

 

May you experience magic, grace and love today -- and an extra unexpected miracle! 

To infinity and beyond. xx

Elissa

Goodbye. And what this means for you.

Dearest Friend,

I want to share a bit of the behind the scenes over the last six months and give you a pretty big update that affects many of you, my clients -- past and present and friends.

Three of my life questions are:

1. Does this light me up?

2. Does this person/place/thing expand my energy or shrink it?

3. Does this experience or opportunity bring me MORE into who I am or does it shrink me?

And this has served me well. It lead me to moving to Santa Barbara alone with a single suitcase over 15 years ago.

It lead me to starting Styled by E in 2012 and The School of Heart Centered Styling in 2018.

It has lead me to countless partnerships, travels, relationships and experiences that were simply divinely orchestrated.

And I hope that I can get to the end of my life knowing I lived with the utmost bravery and dedication to the talents and opportunities God has given to me -- I often think this is the whole point. To live FULLY. To live my fullest expression -- full of love. Full of life.

So where does this leave us?

Well first, I want to share where my aliveness is leading me.

1. I have a Styling Show currently in development (Think: What Not to Wear meets The Secret). Deeply transformative. We are slated to film in October for 6 weeks. If you've ever raised money or created a show, you know that this the most fun you can have while being the absolute most expansive thing you can do.

2. The School of Heart Centered Styling has gotten a major system upgrade -- (Think: It now has the engine of a Porsche). It has gone from a simple online course to a full blown school and certification. I hired a COO and we have worked tirelessly to create an all encompassing curriculum that equips stylists and creatives to facilitate transformation through personal style. When I arrived on the styling scene, there weren't very many options to learn the business of styling, HOW to style, and the mindset to continue to grow. I created exactly what I wanted, and I don't think I've ever been more proud of something (hello learning objectives, learning outcomes, TESTING, and in-person styling how-to's). The world is ready for a new wave of heart centered stylists.

>> Join the Waitlist Here to be notified when we open it up.

3. Luxury Expansion in Paris. I have shared a lot about this experience, so I won't go into it too much here -- but we need rest. We need to be surrounded by a different frequency -- the frequency of luxury. It's a spaciousness that is always worth it.

>> More information here.

4. A Handful of In-Person World-Changing Clients. You know who you are. You're big. You're impactful. You lead the world. You're deeply connected to your truth -- and you're expanded by beauty. You want to experience an entire system upgrade through fashion. You want to be seen for you and your next evolution. Pricing starts at $5,000.

>> Apply here.

5. Expert 1:1 Styling Sessions. These are available a few times a month. They are 1 hour, held virtually.

>> Book here.

And now what does this mean for you?

It means these three things:

1. All courses + course access is being discontinued as of 7/31. Please download any content you have access to so that you can save it for future reference. Kajabi makes this very simple, though it does take time.

2. The Styling Membership is being discontinued. If you paid for a year, I am offering an additional one time 1:1 session, valued at $1,000 to compensate. You have until 7/31 to book this session.

3. All other styling packages are being discontinued.

Thank you all for the adventure -- I am truly proud of what we have built -- and what I continue to build.

I love you. And cheers to your expansion.

Elissa xx

Simply being in luxury is a gift to yourself.

Sometimes simply being in the room is the biggest gift – enjoyment for enjoyment's sake. We have so many “shoulds” and “needs”, I have often found Paris to be in stark contrast to that. A city of enjoyment. 

 

I did not grow up this way. 

 

In fact, I grew up in a world where frugality was king. The best deal. The best price. The cheapest option. The goal was always to spend less money.

 

I have a bit of an unusual story -- and we're going to go there today. So buckle up.

 

Before we get started, you should know that there are TWO spots left for Paris. So if one of them is yours, reach out -- there is a payment plan available. And you have plenty of time to plan + get time off of work. ;)

 

Ok, now for the world in which little Elissa grew up. In 1996, I moved to Hanoi, Vietnam. My mom was a missionary. My dad worked for a computer company. I ended up attending a French International School -- and it saved me.

 

My family of origin loved deals, cheap things, thrift stores, garage sales (all things that are wonderful, but often felt constricting to me) -- Growing up as a child of a missionary, it felt like our job in many ways was to spend as little money as possible. I never loved that though. I craved spaciousness and freedom. I really liked luxury.

 

Enter Lycée Français Alexandre Yersin - The French International School.

 

Immediately I noticed the cafeteria food. Coq-au-vin was on the lunch menu. Pain au chocolat for snack. We had art and music every day. My favorite teacher, Martine wore Chanel (seriously).  

I was home.

So happy.

In the middle of an Asian country that was growing rapidly, I was experiencing so much freedom to be my bougie a$$ self.

And I've been on the journey of self-acceptance ever since.

 

To me, Paris -- and luxury shopping in this city isn't about buying a ton of things you don't need.

 

-It's about buying special pieces.

-It's about celebrating you now.

-It's about giving yourself space to enjoy and soak it in.

 

And we're doing it together.

 

 

 What can you expect? 

3 Days of curated shopping and expansion in Paris, France. 

 

  • -1 Day of High End Shopping (Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior). There is no expectation of purchasing anything – but – you do get a VAT refund, so sometimes it makes sense. ;)

  • -1 Day of Pre-selected Boutiques 

  • -1 Day of Vintage Luxury Shopping (The secrets of the city! Elissa’s special)

 

  • -1 Community Breakfast + Sisterhood on Day 1 to kick off the experience

  • -1 Community + Sisterhood Dinner at a luxury restaurant on Day 2 to check in, build connection and have fun!

 

  • Selected group of women committed to growth, expansion and love (and FUN!) My intention is to create a safe, warm and loving group of women who want to experience luxury and expansion together.

 

  • 1:1 Styling Pre-work with Elissa - This will involve 2 calls with Elissa to create an upleveled style blueprint before your shopping experience.

  •  

  • Optional photoshoot with brand photographer

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Dates: 

September 20, 21,22, 2023

** Paris Fashion Week Begins the week of September 25th, 2023**.

 

Investment:

Early Bird (April 3rd - May 3rd): $3,500 - Payment Plan available - 2 monthly payments of $1,750.

Regular Price (June 4th - July 3rd): $5,000

Last Call (July 4th - August): $5,500

Want to know how to quantum leap?

Want to know how to quantum leap?

Get *super* clear on what your next level looks like.

Who is she?

How does she carry herself?

How does the world around her respond to her?

What does she wear?

What does the space around her FEEL like?

And show up as her.

Every. Single. Day.

I use clothes as the physical markers of the shifts you’re calling in. Almost like little reminders of your next level.

Bonus — get rid of anything else that doesn’t align. Yep - everything. Make space. Create a vacuum.

Growing with One Foot on the Break.

For the last few years I have grown with one foot on the brake.

---

And yesterday I had a massive breakthrough that I want to share with you.

When I started to really go for my business in 2017, a LOT shifted for me.

It wasn't just about my business -- it was about me. I just decided to go for it.

Unhinged. Brazen. What fun. It was the fun part of an awakening -- the realization that life gets to be what you make it.

I got clear on my desire.

I knew it was possible.

I did the ground work + belief work. And I went full speed ahead.

And it worked.

- My business grew.

- My influence grew.

- I quit my full time job.

- I purchased a 2nd rental property with a partner.

- I bought my dream car.

- I had my first 5 figure month.

- I started working with a builder + an architect for a real estate development.

- I hired my first assistant.

- I was on national TV

I remember shopping for a client in Los Angeles and a girl came up to me and said, "Are you Styled by E.?" -- I was like whoa this is wild.

All of this happened in less than a year.

---

And then my ex-husband got sick and seemingly overnight my life exploded.

A rupture.

It was so much.

So.much.loss.

So many layers of grief, sadness, confusion.

And then a divorce.

It felt like tidal waves of emotion to process.

Tidal waves of grief.

My confidence shattered.

And honestly -- very few people knew how to relate. It was all great when I was talking about buying an Audi off the showroom floor (highly recommend you do this in life!) --

But life seemed lonely when I had go deep deep and start excavating and rebuilding. I entered into a season of repair -- which many days looks like simply surviving.

I had to re-learn how to be an adult.

I had to re-learn how to be Elissa.

I had to re-learn how to love the parts of myself I deemed unloveable.

It felt like learning how to walk again.

Timidly. Slowly. And as much as I wanted to speed up the process, it seemed impossible -- grief isn't linear. Repair isn't linear.

And yesterday something shifted (hello new moon in Aries) -- I could feel it in my body.

I could feel that I have been stopping myself--What if I have to experience that again? As if I'm already anticipated the other shoe dropping.

I'm slowing myself down before I've gotten to the starting line.

But.

It's time to start running again.

It's time to start dreaming big again.

It's time to start a new cycle.

I have a new story. New dreams. I have a better foundation. I have myself. I have all of me. I know how to speak so kindly to myself. I know how to travel through time and space in love.

So here is to a new season. A new moon. An (almost) new year for me.

Here is to seasons of life.

Seasons of expansion. Of rupture. Of grief. Of rebuilding. Of joy.

Here is to traveling through seasons of life in love.

Dress for Ultimate confidence and self-expression.

“You’ll never make money as a stylist.”

Those words.
The sting.

I felt small. And silly.

Who was I to think I could bring value to women through fashion?
Who was I to think I could create a business around something I loved?
Would I ever be successful?

We were sitting at a bar, he was a successful software founder and CEO. I, at the time, was a marketing manager for a tech company. I had shared my vision of starting a styling business, and it was met with…well…not exactly the encouraging words I wanted! I left feeling a little crazy, but I just KNEW in my heart that there was a need!

Women need to feel beautiful.
They need to feel expressed in what makes THEM feel beautiful.
They rise up and shine BRIGHT when they have clothes are are a TRUE reflection of that inside, inner badass.
They need clothes to be approachable and fun—not scary and “mean-girl” like.

I just knew that there was a way.

And now, here I am.

I make six figures as a stylist, dressing world leaders and powerhouse business women.

And even BETTER THAN THAT, I teach hundreds of women how to dress for Ultimate confidence and self-expression — from a heart-centered place.


The road has not been “easy”—but it has been insanely rewarding.

And the truth is— I want there to be a heart-centered stylist for every 20 women in the world — there’s a need to re-write the story of clothes.

They are tools for transformation.
Tools to remind you who you are.
Tools to mirror what’s happening in your reality.

This week The Six Figure Stylist Masterclass is $500 off — even for the extended payment plan.

This is EVERYTHING I have learned over the last 6 years as a stylist.

We start 1/6.

Contact me for link, my love. — your time is now.

The world needs you - TRULY.

Screenshot 2019-11-26 at 17.36.11.png

>> Have you ever wanted to start a lucrative business in fashion, but you're just not quite sure HOW? >> Have you ever wanted to HELP women feel confident in self-expressed in their clothing choices? >> Have you seen styling shows and said, "I could TOTALLY do that?" Welp.
The truth is, you absolutely can -- When I started my styling business *from scratch* in 2013 I had *no* idea what I was doing.

But I kept going -- And all along the way, I wished I had someone to help -- Things like: - How much do I charge? - How do I get the right clients?
- How do I set up a business that fuels ME as well as my clients?
- How do I get paid?
- How do I partner with stores?
- How do I feel CONFIDENT in what I'm doing?

And more than anything, I just wanted a community so I didn't feel so alone.

AND AND AND -- I really wanted to know how to do fashion from a place of BEAUTY and self-expression -- because many places I turned seemed like this big "cool girls club" (which wasn't my vibe and DEFINITELY wasn't the vibe I wanted to give my clients.) So I started The School of Heart Centered Styling and The Six Figure Stylist Masterclass.

Basically I teach fashion with heart.

I teach all the practical things (payments, product pulls, partnerships) AND how to do it from a really clean and empowering place.

I put EVERYTHING I wanted to know in 9 Modules -- We start 1/9/2020.
And for the next TEN days, I'm offering a $500 off coupon on BOTH the payment plan AND pay-in-full options.

That's $500 until December 1st.

You're welcome, the world needs you -- TRULY.

I release what no longer serves me and align to my highest truth.

Screenshot 2019-11-26 at 17.32.13.png

You know what no longer serves me?

Not owning my greatness.

Lately I’ve found myself minimizing my accomplishments, trying to just kinda be normal —

I don’t want to “brag”.
I don’t want to think of myself as too “high and mighty”.
I don’t want to make others feel unfordable.

UGH.
BLEHHHH.
How uninspiring.

I want to hear you brag.
I want to hear you celebrate.
I want hear you own your greatness.

I want to celebrate you.

So here are the things I’m owning, claiming and celebrating —
-I have created TWO successful businesses in the personal development and styling space (@styled_by_e and @schoolofheartcenteredstyling)
-I purchased my first rental property at age 25 — and continued to successfully develop property (airbnb, multi-family) until my divorce.
-At 30 I put every single thing on the line and walked away from a marriage, a business partnership and a “safe” life to create a new foundation.
-I have prioritized deep healing and radical ownership for my life — and it’s the most freeing thing in the entire world.

What are you releasing?
And what are you celebrating???