Meet Stacey Bell of The Style Sanctum

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Bell.

Stacey, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was styling my friends and organizing their closets since Middle School! I also come from a long line of family that has been in the retail clothing business in one capacity or another, so I think it’s in the blood. I moved to Atlanta in 2001, with my now husband of 14 years. I worked at a couple of high-end clothing stores in Sandy Springs and built not only a network of clients but also forged the most amazing friendships.

Once I had my second child, I was over the retail grind, so I started a business going to my clients and organizing/editing their closets and worked as a personal shopper. Eventually, I started reselling the pieces they were giving up to other clients. Then I began adding in new items from the Boutiques I shopped at, selling those pieces at 50% off their retail price. After working out of my house and car for 7 years, I moved to a 3000 square foot warehouse and then to my current studio.

I am a private, appointment only studio where I have amassed a large collection of mid to high-end and designer clothing that I sell for 25%-75% off retail prices and offer some pieces for rent. It’s basically a mini department store in 1500 square feet. I offer sizes from 0-16, shoes, handbags, jewelry, and any accessory you can imagine to finish a look. My business is strictly referral based and my studio is made to feel like a “safe” zone for those that find their way to me.

Hence the name, The Style Sanctum. The sheer nature of dressing a woman is intimate and trust is an absolute must. What I do is so much more than selling clothing. I have created an experience for my clients. It’s not about coming in and buying a sweater and running out, it’s about establishing a long-term mutually beneficial relationship. My approach to styling comes from my gut and an intuitive ability to take clients out of their comfort zone and show them a different perspective of themselves.

As a Stylist outside of my studio, I can work with photographers, magazines, or other mediums and carry out their vision or assist in creating a vision. For the Film/TV community and other Stylists, we are really a one-stop shop.

I would describe myself as a Style & Life Guide. I address the inside, the outside and most importantly, the Spirit.

Has it been a smooth road?
Smooth road? I am half laughing at that thought. I have a tank top that hangs in the front hall of my studio that says it all, “MY LIFE’S STORY WILL BE A GOOD ONE!”.

When I started this business, I had babies, so having the flexibility of creating my own schedule was great. My kids were super easy babies and toddlers and I actually took them with me when I was Personal Shopping a lot. My husband is totally my partner in life and he always supported my business as it went through its various stages. In the first few years, the business grew fairly organically. When I turned 44, I had a health scare which then leads to my mid-life crisis kicking in. I needed to decide, It was time for me to either grow my business or be done with it. The business had grown so much that Inventory was creeping out of my basement and into every room of my house. There was no separation between work and home.

After months of tests and getting to the bottom of my health, I was going to be okay. I for sure needed a push to take care of myself, but it also awakened an insatiable quest in me to dig into myself and my path and I was willing to go DEEP!. I was always a spiritual person to the extent I understood what that meant, but I started working with my now mentor, Joanne Cohen, who is an Intuitive Life Coach. She brought an awareness to me that has opened doors and really changed my life in a way I could never have imagined or planned. She navigated me through understanding and releasing all the bullshit I was carrying and how I am meant to help others. It became clear to me that through healing others and the creative process, I was healing myself.

In the midst of this, I took a leap of faith and moved the business to a 3000 square foot warehouse. As I began my build out, my father became ill and my brother (who lives in California and was to open a new business) and I, basically dropped everything and went to Florida for essentially 3 months, to act as his Power of Attorney. He went into a coma after complications from surgery. I’ve had a complex (to say the least) relationship with my father for years, so there was a lot of needing to “let go of” for me, which meant putting in a lot of work to heal. The care my brother and I gave him, saved his life. The stress from that, of not being home with my family for so long and not being around to be there for the build-out of my space, which took 3 months more than planned, cost twice as much and took twice as long as anticipated to re-open for business, I’d say would classify as a not so smooth start. Wouldn’t you agree?!

The next year and a half was a definite struggle. I went from being at home, to never being there. Daily reminders that I was building a business and had to pay my dues. Constant thoughts like “why did I do this”, doubting it and resenting it. I had massive guilt because I worked so much and I felt bad for my kids. And business wasn’t growing quite like I would have hoped. My plate was full and my balance was wayyyyy off. The ONLY reason I pushed forward was continuing to work with Joanne. I changed my perspective on some things, and my path started to come into focus, Things picked up with business and I found a good groove for a while and then, after two years and two months, I received notice from my Landlord that the building would be sold to the City and I would be needing to look for a new home. Holy shit, right! It was truly such a magical and sacred place, you could feel it the moment you entered. It was a place where I put my blood, sweat and tears, sacrificed time with my family, but also learned what I was made of.

Perhaps the scariest thing for me about moving was, in order to know what kind of space to look for, I needed to know how I was going to change the business. I knew enough to know that the Universe was giving me a sign and pushing me to make changes. My balance was 70% work and 30% everything else in my life. My house was falling apart, my son was struggling in school and life, my daughter was about to start middle school, and my health was going unaddressed. Something needed to give and I had no vision or idea of what that looked like.

I took myself to a Wellness retreat and came home clear-headed, calm and ready to put my faith in whatever is meant to unfold for myself and the business. I was given a note while I was there from the housekeeper who took care of my room, the note read “WAKE UP DETERMINED”. So I reminded myself of that every morning. The day after I got home, my client and now my friend Marlene, who worked across the street for a well-known jeweler, called to tell me that they owned a space next to theirs and the lease was coming up and was I interested in taking a look? Ummmm, yes please!

Yes, I was interested. I walked across the street, saw the space and had a vision of exactly how space would look and how I would change the business. The process of finding a space, dealing with the Landlord, the build-out, going with the flow of how the business was changing, flip-flopping my balance to 30% business and 70% everything else in my life, was amazing and it just flowed. I started to trust that I was on my path. I feel like I am on the verge of being rewarded for all the hard work I’ve put in.

So to sum up your question, “Has it been a smooth road?”. No it hasn’t, And I am sure there will be some new struggles ahead, but what was made abundantly clear to me, is that all those rocky roads I was on, brought me to exactly where I am meant to be. I have the love and support of my husband, two great kids (most days) 🙂 and a deep passion for what fulfills me and a tireless need to continue evolving.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Style Sanctum – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
There really is nothing like what I have created. It’s not just about the amazing wardrobe you can find or the perfect piece of jewelry or the shoe that fits just right. I’d say what we specialize in, is people who had been everywhere and can’t find what they are looking for. Women who don’t have time to shop, women who don’t know what their style is or how to put black and white together. I have the ability to take people a bit out of their comfort zones.

I find that the majority of ladies who find me, come to me to work on sorting out some personal issues, but also want to change their look. I’ve said a million times, what I do is not brain surgery, but when a woman feels good on the outside, it changes a whole lot on the inside and it trickles down to every person they are around. Nothing is sexier than a confident woman.

What sets us apart is the ability to deliver exactly what is needed, be it a wardrobe, a gown for an event, or working with photographers and magazines. Our process is very specialized. Or maybe what sets us apart is the sensation you get when you walk in and feel like you’ve just found a secret little lair.

What I am the most proud of I think would be what I built. The people I have helped, the relationships I have made. Maybe the reputation I have of being a no bullshit, honest, open and nonjudgmental person.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Well, Sandy Springs is really changing. There is so much development going on. Actually, I think that is Atlanta as a whole. With it becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Entertainment industry, there is lots of growth.

My husband and I are both from the suburbs of Philadelphia and moved here 17 years ago. We moved for a better quality of life and it seemed to be an up and coming city. It is that and more. Our children were born here and we have made this home.

As for dislikes, not loving the traffic.

Contact Info:

• Address: 6105 Bluestone Road Suite C Sandy Springs, GA 30328
• Phone: 770-912-7946
• Email: stacey@thestylesanctum.com
• Instagram: Thestylesanctum
• Facebook: @thestylesanctum

Image Credit:
Erin Doster

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