Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Nicole.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Drew. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My intrigue with style began when I was young. I would cut up my ruffle socks as a kid to make clothes for my Barbie dolls. I can remember always having an opinion about what I wore and in my high school days, I was really into the brands Ecko Red, Lady Enyce, Baby Phat, etc. (I’m sure I just gave away my age. Lol). I attended Auburn University and began as a Pre-Med major. I quickly learned Biology and Chemistry were two subjects I had zero interest in and changed my major to Apparel Merchandising and Product Development with a focus in Design. Style for me at this point was something I cared about, but still at an exploratory stage.
After college, I landed in Visual Merchandising, eventually becoming a Merchandising Manager. In these roles, I began to understand aesthetics and fit in real time by working hands-on with customers. I was blessed enough to work with a few companies that allowed me to really freestyle and be creative, helping me to find my niché. Around 2010, I was an intern for a stylist here in Atlanta where I got a taste of personal styling as a business and that’s when the seed was planted.
Last year, I finally decided to walk in fear and step out on my own creating Curated by Drew, which is an entity of The Curated Image Group.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This has absolutely not been a smooth journey and I believe the reason for that is because God doesn’t show us our individual blueprints. Without this bumpy road, there are no lessons to learn. Lakeith Stanfield left a dope comment on an Instagram post that said, “If it can’t go wrong, there’s no way it can be right.” Although his comment was for something completely different from this subject, it resonates in all aspects of this life journey.
One of my biggest challenges was being out of work for over a year as a new mom. I was living in California at the time and gave up on my dream temporarily to get back into the workforce and off assistance. After another six months of back and forth interviews with this one company, I landed the job and I could breathe again. A single mom in California was a challenge, but my mom was my absolute saving grace. I also found community in my church family and a coworker in California, who I am still incredibly grateful for to this very day. Another challenge has just been sheer fear of doing something on my own. I’ve started and stopped a few other ventures because of lack of resources or of me being my worst enemy. It definitely takes a village to build or grow anything and accepting the help is so important. I still have challenges today, but I’m choosing my gifts and purpose this go round every single day and so far that daily choice has been a blessing. I’m better equipped to get through challenges a lot more now, because I’ve experienced my fair share of ups and many downs.
My advice is to find that “thing” that you’re really great at, it’s second nature to you, and brings you so much joy. Take that “thing” and go after it… wholeheartedly, without any fear. Is it scary? Absolutely because there are too many “what if’s” and you really don’t know what’s next or what to expect. However, it is that mystery, that will be the inspiration you can share for the next woman behind you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! You don’t know everything and there is someone out there who can guide you through and away from choices that look like the mistake they’ve already made. Be humble, always be willing to learn, and enjoy the ride!
Please tell us about The Curated Image Group.
I am very much still in the “seed planting” stage of my business. I’m still working full-time as a Brand Manager for a women’s clothing brand, but at night I’m in grind mode. Answering emails, booking style assessments and consultations, curating content for my social media platforms and blog, styling shoots, being a forever student, all while being a full-time mom! I have other entities of The Curated Image Group that I am buttoning up and I’m looking forward to those future ventures!
I can confidently say that I’m on my way to being known in the world of everyday working professionals. What I am most proud of with this brand is my dedication to being consistent. That alone has brought me leaps and bounds from my past. When you can show consistency in your work, your clients and audience are more likely to listen and that has helped me to “turn the corner”. What sets me apart is truly being a service. As a personal stylist and content curator, it’s my job to listen to the needs of my clients, pay attention to audience engagement, and then deliver. You can’t be in this business with an end goal of you. I want my clients to always walk away from a session and feel like “Drew is catering to only me.” It’s my goal for all sessions with clients to be as unique as they are.
Who have you been inspired by?
Right now, I am in a season of really paying attention to fearless women:
-Macie Mitchell (My Late-Great Grammy)
-My Mother
-Myleik Teele – (@myleik) Mom, Insanely Hard Worker, and Creator of @CurlBOX
-Elaine Welteroth – (@elainewelteroth) Journalist, Author, Former Editor-In-Cheif of Teen Vogue
-Kahlana Barfield Brown – (@kahlanabarfield)
-Tracee Ellis Ross – (@traceeellisross) Actress, Activist, and Effortless Style Goddess
-Crystal Perkins – (@crysperkins) Christan Entrepreneur, Mom, Wife, Speaker, Founder of @GodandGoals_
-Aurora James – (@aurorajames) Owner and Designer of @Brothervellies
-B. Chloe Cleaves (@thechloebrand)- Visual Branding Coach, Branding Designer, and Lifestyle Content Creator
-Mattie James (@themattiejames) – Lifestyle Content Creator, Wife, Mom, Influencer Coach
My late great grammy had style and walked in grace. I’m now able to keep her memory alive in her clothing and jewelry that I still wear. My mom is the strongest woman I know hands down and has been a rock for me on many occasions. The other incredible women listed are living out their purposes fearlessly. I admire that and strive to be there one day. I will be there one day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.curatedbydrew.com
- Email: hello@thecuratedimagegrp.com
- Instagram: curatedbydrew
- Facebook: curatedbydrew
- Twitter: curatedbydrew
- Other: pinterest.com/curatedbydrew
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