Meet Charnelle Singletary

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charnelle Singletary.

Charnelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always had a love and strong desire for fashion and natural hair. It’s funny because growing up, my mom used to dress me for nursery school and I did not like any outfit she tried to put me in. She will tell you that even then, I had my own style. By the time I entered high school, I was in every sewing class offered. I was excited to have my designs worn by student models in our high school fashion shows and other events around town. I finished my senior year by taking a tailoring honors class. At this point, there was no doubt. I knew I wanted to go to school for Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising. However, once I got to college, I soon realized that professors were harsh with feedback and critiques. Something I once loved was now stressful and no longer fun. As I looked at my classmates’ finished designs, I started to feel like my work was not good enough. Therefore, I decided to let go of anything relating to fashion design and changed my major to business and public relations. Little did I know, my love for fashion would reappear.

In 2015, after college, I moved to the DMV area, where I began working for an educational technology company. A year into my job, I started to see men and women fashion bloggers online. I became obsessed with YouTube-style videos. Not knowing what the term blogger meant, I did my research and realized that I had good style at the time and I could be a blogger too. People would always ask me where I got my clothes or shoes. So using a social platform like Instagram to share my fashion secrets and tips was a win. When I knew I wanted to be a blogger, that day, I sat down with my best friend and brainstormed brand names. Coming up with the name Styled2be was the hardest part. Once the name was in place, I was ready to put up my website; Styled2be.com was born.

Looking back, I am glad I took the time away. It enabled me to find myself and fall in love fashion all over again. Since the start of my blog, I have collaborated with multiple brands and hosted events with MVMT watches, Pandora Jewelry, Nordstrom Rack, The Westin Hotel and Raw Sugar Living to name a few. I started styling people for events as well. I am so blessed and grateful to be able to do what I love and make others smile.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, but at the same time it is an enjoyable one. At the beginning of my styling career, I struggled with figuring out my niche and building my Instagram account. I had a blog and was consistent with posting, but brands were still not reaching out to work with me. I began to get creative with my shoots and take pictures in front of murals or something that had a colorful background. My account was something different from other bloggers. As a result, my Instagram following continued to grow. Recently I hit a new roadblock. In 2017 I decided to go back to school to get my MBA. I was working full time, going to school at night, and working on Styled2be.com on the weekends. Sadly, Styled2be.com took a back seat and my social media presence diminished. By the time I finished school and was dedicated again, I had lost some followers. Now, I am more consistent and intentional with my blog posts and social media presence that my followers are starting to grow again.

My advice to anyone desiring to start their own business is: never to give up. There were times when I wanted to but knew that people genuinely liked my Outfit of The Day posts or fashion advice and I think the support from God, my family, friends and followers is what keeps me going.

Please tell us about Styled2be.com.
I created Styled2be.com as an inspiration platform for everything fashion, beauty and natural hair. I style my looks, collaborate with different photographers and shoot content so I can post on social media and my website. This gives viewers the opportunity to shop for my looks online. I am a fashion consultant who has styled clients for birthday and date night events. I am most proud of my journey and how far I have come since the girl from college who didn’t think she was good enough. Through my blog and styling services, I have met other bloggers, hosted events, and partnered with brands and black-owned businesses. What sets me apart from others is my God-given talent for fashion styling, my personality and uniqueness.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have launched my business sooner, however, I feel that attaining my Masters in Business Adminstration surely added to my overall foundation as a butting entrepreneur. I’m one who believes that the experiences one goes through on their journey towards success, happens for a reason.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.styled2be.com
• Email: styled2be@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styled2be/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/styled2be/

Image Credit:
King Crown Media
Mozart Photography
Charles Preston

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