Starting a personal styling business is exciting, but like any business, it comes with a learning curve. Mistakes are inevitable—but they’re also essential. Every successful stylist has made missteps along the way, but what sets them apart is their ability to learn, adapt, and refine their approach.
In my journey as a personal stylist and image consultant, I’ve built two successful businesses—my image strategy business, which I started over 15 years ago, and The Style Academy International, which launched 8 years ago. Even with years of experience, I still make mistakes—but those mistakes have helped me refine my business strategies.
If you’re just starting your personal styling business, know this: Mistakes will happen. But the key is to recognize them, learn from them, and course-correct.
In this post, I’m sharing three critical lessons I learned from my first few personal styling clients. These insights will help you avoid some common pitfalls and build a profitable and sustainable business.
1. Pricing Mistakes: Stop Trading Time for Money
Like many stylists, my first client came through word-of-mouth marketing—one of the most powerful and effective ways to grow your business. My hairstylist at the time introduced me to someone who needed help, and soon, referrals started coming in.
I charged $60 for a body shape analysis—which seemed like a high rate at the time. The session was supposed to take one hour, but I didn’t account for everything else involved:
Travel time: The client lived 45 minutes away (1.5 hours round trip).
Extra consultation time: Instead of one hour, I spent nearly three hours with the client.
Follow-up work: I spent another 1.5 hours writing up a detailed report.
In total, I invested six hours for $60, meaning my actual hourly rate was $10—not $60 as I had planned.
The Lesson? Charge Based on Value, Not Hours
I quickly realized I needed a pricing strategy that accounted for ALL my time. Instead of charging per hour, I developed a signature program strategy that focused on the transformation I provided rather than the time spent.
Pro tip: Consider pricing your services as packages or programs to ensure you’re compensated fairly for your expertise and time.
2. Lack of a System: Structure Your Personal Styling Consultations
At first, I thought I could "wing it." After all, I knew how to:
✔️ Analyze body shapes
✔️ Create capsule wardrobes
✔️ Conduct color analysis
But knowing how to style and knowing how to run a consultation efficiently are two very different things. Because I didn’t have a structured approach, my sessions ran long, which contributed to the pricing mistake I mentioned earlier.
The Solution? Create a Repeatable Styling Consultation System
To fix this, I:
✅ Practiced mock consultations with friends and family.
✅ Created a step-by-step consultation structure to stay on track.
✅ Provided clients with a pre-session guide outlining what to expect.
This not only saved time but also made me more confident and professional. A system helps both you and your clients feel prepared and ensures you deliver a consistent, high-quality experience.
3. Boundary Issues: Learn to Say No
One of the hardest lessons to learn as a new stylist is setting boundaries. Early on, I struggled with saying no to clients.
For example, during a body shape analysis, the client asked me for styling advice on her current wardrobe. Before I knew it, I was in her closet, helping her try on clothes—for free.
I was thrilled that she valued my expertise, but my eagerness to please meant I was:
🚨 Over-delivering without compensation
🚨 Spending extra hours on unpaid work
🚨 Setting a precedent for future clients
The Fix? Set Clear Boundaries from Day One
Here’s what helped me:
✔️ A detailed service contract outlining what’s included.
✔️ A structured consultation system to keep sessions focused.
✔️ Confidence in saying no—clients will respect you more when you enforce boundaries professionally.
Remember: Boundaries are a form of self-respect. They protect your time, energy, and income while ensuring clients receive the best service.
Final Thoughts: Mistakes Help You Grow
Looking back, I wouldn’t trade these mistakes for anything—they helped me build a stronger, more profitable business. But I hope sharing them helps you avoid the same pitfalls.
As you grow your personal styling business, remember:
✅ Mistakes are part of the process—learn from them.
✅ Structure and pricing matter—don’t undervalue your work.
✅ Boundaries will set you up for success—respect your time.
Louisa 💕
Want More Business Tips for Personal Stylists?
Tune into The Business of Style Podcast, where I share insights on growing a successful personal styling business, avoiding common mistakes, and creating a brand that attracts dream clients. And don't forget to subscribe so that you get notified when a new episode drops.
🎧 Listen now to the podcast version of this post to get the whole story and more insights to help you avoid costly mistakes and build a successful personal styling business.