Nicole Soyka, CPIC

I'd say my success comes down to three things: authenticity and courage, deep investment in both my craft and personal growth, and truly understanding the transformational nature of this work.

First, having the courage to follow my authentic path made all the difference. Leaving a successful corporate marketing career at companies like General Mills and Room & Board wasn't easy, but I kept coming back to knowing that I could make a real difference helping women find their authentic essence through color and style. When I finally took that leap and opened The Stylery, everything clicked. I also stayed true to my unique vision—combining the Kibbe system with the 7 Style Essences to create something more holistic than what was already out there. That authenticity has resonated with clients because they can feel that I'm genuinely passionate about this work and that I practice what I preach.

Second, I've invested deeply in myself—both professionally and personally. My formal education in Fashion Merchandising, Marketing, and Communications gave me a strong foundation, but I didn't stop there. I pursued certifications in Personal Styling, Color Analysis, and Image Consulting to truly master my craft. Beyond that, I've worked with incredible coaches and spiritual and somatic practitioners who've helped me stay grounded while building this business. My daily meditation and breathwork practice, my commitment to staying in my body when things get overwhelming—all of that has allowed me to give my best to my clients while also leaning into the badass I know I am. You can't pour from an empty cup, and taking care of my own growth has been essential.

Third, I understand that this work is about transformation, not just transaction. From a young age, I discovered that quantum aspect of dressing in alignment with who you truly are—how it impacts your confidence, your energy, and how you shine your light into the world. When clients feel truly seen and understood as complete people, the transformation goes so much deeper. It's not just about looking good; it's about helping women step into their highest selves and express their authentic essence. That's what lights me up, and when I look at client testimonials and transformation stories, I'm reminded of why I do this work. That purpose-driven approach has been the foundation of everything.

I also can't discount the practical skills from my marketing background—knowing how to communicate value, build a business, and create diverse offerings like color analysis parties and corporate events. And leaning on my community of friends and family when things get tough. But ultimately, success has come from staying aligned with my purpose, investing in myself, and focusing on the real impact this work has on people's lives.

Trust yourself enough to follow what truly lights you up—even when it doesn't make logical sense.

For years, I had a successful corporate marketing career at companies like General Mills and Room & Board. On paper, everything looked great. But something was missing. I kept coming back to this knowing that I could make a real difference helping women find their authentic essence through color and style. It took courage to leave that stability and follow my passion, but when I finally did, everything clicked. That alignment between what I was doing and who I truly am made all the difference.

So my biggest piece of advice is this: Don't wait for the "perfect" moment to pursue what you're passionate about. If something lights you up inside, if you feel that pull toward a different path—trust it. I've never done life before, and neither have you. We're all figuring it out as we go, and that's okay.

Invest deeply in yourself—both in mastering your craft and in your personal growth. Get the education, certifications, and skills you need to be excellent at what you do. But also invest in practices that keep you grounded—whether that's meditation, breathwork, therapy, coaching, or whatever resonates with you. Your ability to show up fully for your work depends on taking care of yourself first.

Focus on the transformation you provide, not just the service. When you understand the deeper impact of your work and lead with that purpose, everything shifts. Your work becomes more fulfilling, your clients feel it, and success follows naturally. For me, it's not just about color analysis or styling—it's about that quantum shift that happens when someone aligns their external presentation with their internal essence. When you can articulate the real value you bring to people's lives, that's when you truly thrive.

And finally, give yourself grace. You're going to make mistakes. Things won't always go according to plan. Practice compassion and forgiveness for yourself as a human. That's how we grow. Building something meaningful is a journey, not a sprint, and being kind to yourself along the way is just as important as the work itself.

First, trust your unique perspective and don't be afraid to do things differently. When I started The Stylery, I could have just followed established methods, but I trusted my intuition that combining the Kibbe system with the 7 Style Essences would create something more transformational. What makes you different—your unique approach, your specific passions, the way you see this work—that's your greatest asset. Don't try to be like everyone else. The industry needs YOUR voice and vision.

Invest deeply in mastering your craft. Get proper training and certifications. Study color theory, styling systems, body architecture—whatever aspects of this work speak to you. I have my BA in Fashion Merchandising and certifications in Personal Styling, Color Analysis, and Image Consulting, and that foundation has been invaluable. But don't stop learning. Work with mentors, take courses, immerse yourself in the work. The more you know, the more confident you'll be and the better you can serve your clients.

But also remember—this work is about so much more than clothes. Yes, you need the technical skills, but what really matters is understanding the transformation you're facilitating. When you help someone discover their authentic style, you're helping them step into their highest self. You're giving them confidence to shine their light into the world. There's an almost quantum aspect to dressing in alignment with who you truly are, and when you understand that deeper impact, your work becomes infinitely more meaningful.

Build authentic relationships with your clients. This is deeply personal work. When you approach each client with genuine care and a desire to truly see and honor them as a complete person—not just their body type or coloring, but their personality, lifestyle, and the energy they want to express—that's when magic happens. Those connections and transformations will fuel you through the challenging moments.

Don't underestimate business skills. I'm so grateful for my marketing background because running a styling business isn't just about being good at styling—it's about communication, client management, financial planning, and so much more. Take the time to learn the business side or find mentors who can help you. Your talent deserves to be supported by a sustainable business model.

Practice what you preach. Use color and style as tools in your own life. When I'm feeling anxious or off, dressing in a way that feels like me always brings me back to my center and energy. Living what you teach makes you more authentic and effective. Plus, you become your own best advertisement for the power of this work.

Stay grounded and take care of yourself. Building a business can be overwhelming. Develop practices that keep you centered—for me, that's daily meditation, breathwork, and staying connected to my body. Lean on your community. Go back to your "why" when things get hard. And please, give yourself compassion and grace. You're going to make mistakes, and that's how you grow. I've never done life before, and neither have you.

Finally, remember that there's room for all of us. Your success doesn't take away from someone else's. When you focus on your unique gifts and the specific people you're meant to serve, there's more than enough abundance to go around. Support other women in the industry. Collaborate. Celebrate each other's wins. We rise together.

This work—helping women discover and express their authentic selves—it's a gift. Trust yourself, invest in your growth, focus on transformation, and don't be afraid to shine your own light. The world needs what you have to offer.

The biggest challenge is managing the demands of wearing multiple hats within my company without becoming overwhelmed, while also seizing opportunities to grow and innovate.

As a solo entrepreneur, I'm not just the stylist—I'm also the marketing strategist, the operations manager, the customer service team, the content creator, and everything in between. Some days I'm conducting color analysis sessions and style consultations, and other days I'm working on social media strategy, responding to inquiries, managing bookings for color parties and corporate events, and planning the business side of things. My corporate marketing background at General Mills and Room & Board definitely helps, but there's still only so much one person can do in a day.

The challenge isn't just about time management—it's about energy management. Each role requires a different part of me. The creative, intuitive energy I bring to client sessions is completely different from the analytical, strategic mindset I need for marketing and business development. Switching between these modes throughout the day can be exhausting, and I have to be really intentional about staying grounded so I don't burn out.

There's also the constant tension between serving current clients beautifully and growing the business. Every time I'm with a client, I want to give them my full presence and attention—that's where the transformation happens. But I also see so many opportunities to expand: developing new offerings, reaching more people through virtual sessions, building partnerships, creating content that educates people about color analysis and the deeper work of authentic style. Finding the balance between delivering exceptional service now and building for the future is an ongoing dance.

And honestly, there's the challenge of knowing when to say no. When you're passionate about your work and you see how much it helps people, it's hard to set boundaries. But I've learned that I can't pour from an empty cup. That's where my meditation practice, breathwork, and leaning on my community of friends and family becomes essential. Going back to my "why"—remembering the transformation stories and the joy this work brings—helps me stay focused on what truly matters rather than trying to do everything at once.

The key has been giving myself compassion and grace. I've never built a business before. I'm learning as I go, and that means I make mistakes. Some days I handle the multiple demands beautifully, and other days I feel completely overwhelmed. But I'm learning to trust that this is all part of the journey. Small, intentional steps forward are still progress, and sometimes the biggest growth comes from the moments that challenge us most.

I place great importance on balance, cultivating meaningful relationships with friends and family, serving my community, and upholding authenticity, integrity, and a strong work ethic.

Balance is essential to everything I do. As someone who teaches others about alignment—between their inner essence and outer presentation—I know that same principle applies to life. I can't show up fully for my clients if I'm not taking care of myself. That's why I have a daily meditation and breathwork practice. It's why I make time for yoga, hiking with my dog Marlo, golf, and pickleball. These aren't just hobbies—they're how I stay grounded in my body when my mind is racing, how I reconnect with myself so I can give my best to others. Balance isn't about perfect equilibrium; it's about listening to what I need and honoring that, even when the business demands feel urgent.

Meaningful relationships are my foundation. When I face challenges or feel overwhelmed, I lean on my friends and family. They're my anchors, my support system, the people who remind me of who I am beyond the business. I've also been shaped by working with incredible coaches and spiritual and somatic practitioners over the years—people who've helped me grow into the person I am today. These relationships have taught me that we're not meant to do life alone. Connection, vulnerability, and showing up authentically for the people we love—that's what makes life rich and meaningful.

Serving my community matters deeply to me. Service shows up in my work every single day. When I help a woman discover her authentic style and watch her confidence transform, when I see her light up because she finally feels seen and understood—that's service. It's about using my gifts to make a real difference in people's lives. Whether that's through one-on-one sessions, color analysis parties that bring joy to friend groups, or corporate events that help teams connect—it all comes back to serving others and helping them shine their light into the world.

Authenticity and integrity are non-negotiable for me. I left a successful corporate career because, despite the stability and accolades, something was missing. I knew I had to follow what truly lit me up inside, even when it didn't make logical sense. That courage to be authentic—to trust my unique vision of combining the Kibbe system with the 7 Style Essences, to practice what I preach by using color and style in my own life—that authenticity is what makes my work resonate with clients. They can feel that this isn't just a business for me; it's my purpose. And integrity means I show up the same way for every client, whether it's a high-end style package or a fun color party. Everyone deserves to be seen, honored, and treated with care.

And I have a strong work ethic, but not in the hustle-culture sense. My work ethic is about showing up fully, investing deeply in my craft, continuously learning, and delivering transformation—not just transactions. It's about the commitment I made when I opened The Stylery: to help women discover their authentic essence and step into their highest selves. But it's also balanced with compassion for myself. I've never done life before, and giving myself grace when I make mistakes is part of that work ethic too. Working hard doesn't mean working yourself into the ground—it means showing up with intention, passion, and purpose.

At the core, all of these values connect back to alignment and authenticity. Just like I teach my clients that there's a quantum aspect to dressing in a way that aligns with who they truly are, I believe that living in alignment with your values creates that same kind of transformation. When your actions match your beliefs, when your outer life reflects your inner truth—that's when you experience real joy, fulfillment, and the ability to make a meaningful impact. That's what I strive for in my own life, and that's what I hope to inspire in others.