Her Story
About Dawn
Dawn King is the Founder of Styling Pearls Inc., a wardrobe styling company focused on helping busy professionals look and feel confident for important personal and professional moments. With services spanning virtual wardrobe refreshes, executive styling, vacation styling, and event preparation, Dawn combines personalized fashion guidance with a practical understanding of the demands of modern professional life. Her company is designed to make styling more convenient while creating opportunities for independent stylists and building a scalable, locally rooted business.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Dawn built nearly two decades of experience in federal government contracting, including program leadership, acquisition management, and operational delivery. She brings an execution-focused and strategic approach to entrepreneurship, drawing on her ability to manage complex initiatives and translate goals into measurable outcomes. Her academic background includes a Master of Philosophy in Management with a specialization in Leadership and Organizational Change from Walden University and a Master of Science in Management with a specialization in Human Resources from the University of Maryland Global Campus, complemented by a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Accounting.
Beyond her professional work, Dawn is committed to leadership, mentorship, and community impact. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she has taken on leadership and committee roles, including work focused on economic empowerment and leadership development. She attributes her success to persistence, determination, consistency, and a willingness to continue working toward her goals even while balancing professional responsibilities with entrepreneurship. Through Styling Pearls Inc. and her community involvement, Dawn strives to create meaningful opportunities, encourage others to reach their potential, and build a business that delivers both commercial and social value.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dawn
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from persistence. I worked full-time while earning my degrees and now work a 9-to-5 job while building my business, often working nights and weekends until the work is done. I never get comfortable once I reach a goal.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to start small, stay consistent, and build the foundation for my business before trying to scale. Also surround yourself with a network of people that understand your entrepreneurial journey.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do your research first. Before launching the business, I took entrepreneurship courses online with University of Pennsylvania via Coursera, studied the materials, and absorbed what I needed to know before incorporating and launching.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
As an African American woman, finding investors or getting access to investors is a challenge. I am currently bootstrapping and self-funding the business. There was a gap in the Northern Virginia area for wardrobe styling services for busy professional women.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Having integrity and staying true to myself. I am an authentic leader who is down-to-earth and approachable. I practice situational leadership, mentoring junior stylists differently from senior stylists, and I love seeing people grow to their full potential.
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