Inspiring Conversations with Gabrielle King of The Style Guru

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle King. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a little girl, I have always had an obsession with fashion. My dad used to take me shopping every season. I absolutely loved to stroll through Marshall Fields, picking out all the coordinating denim Guess outfits! That excitement stuck with me into college as I earned my Bachelor’s of Science in Apparel and Textile Design. After graduating, I interned at Nordstrom–one of the leading fashion retailers. During my internship, I learned the behind-the-scenes and inner workings of what it took to run a successful department store from human resources, marketing, shipping operations, management, and most of all, exceptional customer service. But, with that came an employee discount and an addiction to shopping! And while working in the mall that addiction spilled into every other store in the mall. I would spend lunch breaks browsing and buying. After seeing my bank account dwindling and basically handing my paychecks right back to Nordstrom, I knew something had to change. So, I decided to turn my passion into profit. I learned that the excitement wasn’t in just making the purchase. My excitement came from creating looks and the confidence that I felt when wearing them. I wanted that feeling to be experienced by others, hence the evolution of The Style Guru. I initially created The Style Guru as a women’s online clothing boutique that also provides personal styling services for all. Presently, The Style Guru is a published stylist and now offers women, men, and kid’s clothing. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting and continuing hasn’t been smooth. It’s no secret that entrepreneurship isn’t easy. There have been several struggles and unexpected roadblocks that life has thrown my way. But if I am being completely transparent, I think the biggest hindrance has been me. As a creative, I tend to get in my head and in my own way. At the beginning, I was so excited that I quickly threw myself into making decisions without thoroughly doing the necessary research. Yes, I learned a lot of lessons, and it has made me better, but now I am applying everything that I learned while regaining the awareness and focus from an audience that I may have lost while in that learning process. For example, I wasted a lot of money blindly purchasing merchandise from vendors that weren’t in line with the quality that I wanted to be associated with my brand. Oh, but I definitely know now, and when you know better, you do better. 

We’ve been impressed with The Style Guru, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Style Guru is an online clothing boutique that also offers personal styling services. Currently, I sell women, men, and kid’s clothing. I also offer personal styling services–including personal shopping, styling for photoshoots and events, closet detox, and virtual styling. I am known for maximizing wardrobes by curating endless looks with minimal pieces as well as helping to identify signature personal style of each individual. My education, experience, and ability to bring out personal style without the heavy influence of my own style is what sets me apart from others. I believe every outfit should project your persona, mood, and introduce you without saying a word. 

I am proud of persevering through the noise and not giving up. I am proud of the grace given my brand to evolve despite initial hiccups. But mostly, I am proud of the many people I have been able to help feel confident in any capacity when it comes to style. It is extremely gratifying to see the shift in a client’s persona when they feel just as good as they look! 

I want to debunk the myth that stylists are just for the wealthy or celebrities. My passion (and my price, lol) is geared towards the everyday man and woman. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Follow on Instagram @thestyleguru for weekly style tips, current trends, and outfit inspiration. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shopstyleguru.com
• Instagram: @thestyleguru