November 19, 2016

Meet Sandy Springs Fashion and Wardrobe Stylist: Selby Benton

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Selby Benton.

Selby , please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a native of Portsmouth Va. After Graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1988, I went on to pursue a career at Norfolk State University in Norfolk Va. There I majored in General Business. It was during my 5 years at Norfolk State, where I discovered I had a passion for fashion…A Fashion/Wardrobe Stylist.

After finishing up my Bachelors of Science degree in 1994, I moved on to Washington D.C. where I worked in my business field at the National Players Association as a Personnel Assistant for their Human Resources Dept. Even though I was working in my field I still had my passion for becoming a Fashion /Wardrobe Stylist. I lived in DC for 6 years and up until 911 when the recession started , I decided I wanted a change and decided to move to Charlotte NC with my cousin Candace. Once I I got to Charlotte I received a job position with Bank of America Mortgage Department in their Personnel Department and continued to work there for about 2 and a half years. While working in Charlotte I started researching some Fashion Schools that I could attend. I came across American Intercontinental University in Buckhead of Atlanta Ga. I took a few trips from Charlotte to Atlanta to see the campus and to just check out Atlanta, the environment and what it had to offer. I stayed in Charlotte until 2003, until they started a layoff process where they were laying workers off and I was one of them. So with no job and no backup plan I had to for the first time after graduating from college in 1994 from Norfolk State University, had to return home to Portsmouth Va. But I am a strong believer of GOD and I knew he had a plan, and blessings come in many disguises. While there putting a plan in action, a close friend of mine that I met through a friend Yvette Boyd by the name of Kim Cox, knew I was in town and worked at Nordstrom Department store in Norfolk Va. contacted me. She said that Nordstroms was hring for a sales associate in the Petite Department of the store and would I be interested in the position. And I accepted. As I said blessings come in many disguises. My passion for becoming a Fashion/Wardrobe Stylist was coming to life. By working at Nordstroms I began to learn the fashion industry, designers etc. Shop with customers as they came into the store and built a strong client base, receiving several bonuses for my outstanding sales/ customer service performance. After working at Nordstrom for 2 years I wanted to take my Styling career a little further so I started to again pursue AIU in Atlanta Ga. for my Art Degree in Fashion. This was June 2009. I decided to move to Atlanta, Ga. I got my transfer from Nordstrom and with about $200 dollars in my account, I moved to Georgia with again my favorite ride or die ccousin Candace. I moved in with her and her two sons and got on my game plan and went and enrolled in AIU. I got accepted there in the Fall of 2010. They had no positions open at the time at Nordstroms at Perimeter where I applied so I put in a application at a Target nearby and got hired. So I worked at Target throughout my 4 years at AIU., where I continued to get the whole package of the Fashion Business and what to expect on my endeavors of becoming a Fashion/Wardrobe Stylist. In the summer of 2014, I graduated from AIU…with a Bachelors of Art degree in Fashion Merchandising/Retail. So I was on my way so I thought until I hit another downfall in my life, but hey what won’t kill you will make you stronger. So right after graduating from AIU I continued to work at Target for a few months while freelancing as a Stylist networking to pick up clients etc., and encountered a disagreement with my boss and he decided to terminate me. I filed for unemployment and received it, and use the money to pay my bills and continue to look for work as a Stylist. It was then where the unemployment ran out and I was still looking for clients and had no job. So I ended up putting off my Stylist dream for a minute to try to find a full-time job to pay for a roof over my head and my other bills. I gained a job at Kroger and worked there for about 6 months and took as much of the low pay that I could handle, when I ran across a nice lady by the name of Debra, and she said that she worked at the TJ maxx in Buckhead as a Merchandise Associate and that they were hiring. And when she told me that the pay was a little more than Kroger, and it was in my field I went and filled out an application. I was then called back for an interview and was hired August 15, 2015. I then gave Kroger my 2 weeks notice and started working at TJ Maxx. I enjoyed working at TJ Maxx as Merchandise Associate, I was around what I loved and loved to do, work around fashion trends, familiarizing myself with more designers, etc. I said this is cool. So I began some of my freelancing for clients and getting back to networking again. But low and behold after working at TJ Maxx for about 5 months they began cutting hours and my bills continue to pile up. I then ended up having to move out of my apartment into a Homeless Shelter( called My SIster’s House). This was in February of 2016. I continued to work at TJ Maxx and was able to save money while I was in the shelter to where I then started to get on my feet and I started looking for a another place to live. After looking around in Georgia for a apartment the price of a lot of them had gone up because of renovations from say where it used to cost $700 for a 1 Bedroom to now it was $800. This was around June 2016. So I needed more income to be able to afford some place to live. So I started to look for a second job.This was the only way I was going to be able to move out of the shelter. So after putting in applications here and there I finally got a call for a part time position with Bed Bath & Beyond in Buckhead right downstairs from the TJ Maxx where I currently work. Again in the month of August 2016. Ain’t GOD good. So okay I was on my way. I continued to work at TJMaxx and Bed Bath and Beyond, but it still did not qualify me to move out of the shelter and into the apartment I wanted. I was like $200 dollars under the income requirements for the a part meant. This is going into September 2016. So I said let me start my freelancing up again and make that my supplemental income. If I earn enough, that would give me the extra income I needed to move. So I started networking againl, passing out my Stylist cards, advertising my work on social media, Facebook , Instagram etc. And what do you know I began to pick up clients. We are now in October 2016. It was then where I decided to apply for the apartment. I went to the apartment complex, filled out the application was approved Sunday, October 30th 2016…very excited. So today November 6th, 2016…I am awaiting my move in November 20th, 2016…I am still employed with TJ Maxx and Bed Bath and Beyond and I am currently now a Fashion/Wardrobe Stylist…thanks to all my clients/support and for GOD ordering my steps throughout my journey. Thank you Jesus, And yes I am still standing…Amen

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and career?
The role of luck/favor has played a significant role in my career because through all my obstacles everything was a learning experience to make me stronger and to prepare me the awesome future that I have and going to have.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My eye for being fashion forward. and having an eye of fashion trends years ahead of time

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The best thing I like about Atlanta is the diversity …It is one big melting pot. What I don’t like about Atlanta is they could have more job opportunities…internships etc..for fashion students in college and graduating.

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