Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Newsom.
Kimberly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My gift of styling, fashion, and business comes from these special women: The late Lettie Laster – Lawrence (Great Grandmother), Mozella Early (Grandmother), Edwina Howell (Mother) and other beautiful women of my family to include: Alice Campbell, Alberta Nibley, and Carolyn Lawrence (Great Aunts). Growing up, I watched these women use their gifts of designing & sewing to support their families. Trips to the fabric stores, where I’d run my fingers and face through the fabrics, imaging what could be created from those fabrics. I’d stand in their sewing rooms and watch them create beautiful pieces for their clients. Residents of the Douglass and North Memphis communities were lined up to get a custom piece created by them.
At the age of 11, I’ll never forget watching my Mother create one of the most beautiful wedding gowns I’d ever seen! It was a winter white sweetheart neckline gown with all of the pearls and embellishments you could imagine. She applied each pearl, sequin, bugle bead, and crystal to the gown by hand. She’d even customized the bride’s shoes and placed the initials of the bride’s new last name on the back of her shoes with sparkling crystals. Oh, it was something to see, honey! I never learned how to sew. Although they all tried to teach me, I just couldn’t grasp it; no patience. I just wanted to wear the damn clothes! My Mother made almost every single piece of clothing I wore. From dresses to jeans, blouses, and even pajamas! Almost everything I wore was custom made. From the fashion shows they hosted in the North Memphis communities all the way to LA, everyone knew who my family was.
Fast forward to 2020, An established, published and full-time Wardrobe Stylist and Accountability Coach for aspiring stylists, boutique owners and style/beauty enthusiasts, My mission is: To help women define their personal style and bring their style goals to fruition through wardrobe styling. I also help women who want to become full-time entrepreneurs by positioning themselves as an authority brand and assisting them with the transition from the 9 to 5 grind to a business they have an authentic passion for, so that they may live the life they desire through prayer, fashion, beauty, wellness and style.
What got me to this point? Lots of prayers, many losses, many wins, investing in a lot of classes and seminars (I lost a lot of money doing that too) connecting with the right people, hard work, prayer, lots of blood, sweat and tears… literally, oh and prayer. From starting my own online boutique (Fashionably Lethal) eight years ago to wardrobe styling literally falling in my lap, simply from professional woman approaching me in the mall, complimenting me on my wardrobe, turning her into my very first and current client. God has placed me in so many situations and circles that have afforded me the opportunity to style several celebrities, be the Lead Stylist for Memphis Fashion Week as well as a Board Member and work in TV production, etc. I’m so grateful and full of what HE has done in my personal life and business.
God is good and HE has placed so many special people in my life that believe in my gift and hold me accountable and push me to be better. My Husband, Chef Nigel Newsom, our Bishop, Sidney P. Malone & First Lady, Leslie Malone, Pastor Deneice Henderson of New Growth and Christ Christian and Tameka Pointer (BFF) play a very significant part of this journey, as they have shown me a ridiculous amount of support; spiritually AND financially! You have to have people in your tribe like them; authentic and supportive. God removed the taste of fear from my palette and gave me an appetite to win no matter what obstacles were thrown my way, and trust and believe there were SEVERAL, but you know your girl gave those obstacles BLACK EYES!
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 journey definitely hasn’t been smooth to say the least. Those struggles were attacks from people who were very close to me; people who I’d never thought would cross me. You know the saying, “Be the bigger person?” Yea, I was the “bigger person”, endured the shade and abuse and still held my tongue only to continue to get kicked in the tail by those same people. They hurt me, something terrible! I walked around with an unforgiving heart for a very long time towards them not knowing how my actions kept me from reaching my next level.
I was miserable! I was working “a job” that I absolutely hated. A job where the employees were treated unfairly and poor leadership was upheld. The turnover rate at that place severely high! I was overqualified for that job and to be honest, it was beneath me. I worked seven days a week and overtime just so my paycheck could look a certain way. That place was horrible! I missed church, time with family and friends, and neglected my health to the point to where I was literally near a mental break down. It was bad, honey.
My advice for women is to forgive anyone who has hurt you. Forgive them; clear your heart and mind! It clutters your thought process when there are goals to be met. You can’t meet those goals and move to your next level with strife and unforgiveness in your heart. It’s impossible and causes physical illness. God ain’t gon’ move you, sis!I’ve been there! Miserable and stuck! God told me that I wasn’t supposed to be on “that job” for as long as I was. HE said HE would NOT move me until I got my act together.
That meant I had to forgive people, do a self-assessment and correct my flaws quickly. I did just that and soon enough, HE moved me into full-time entrepreneurship. I was able to set a plan in motion financially and get out there. It happened so fast and I haven’t issed a beat. Another thing. Be selfless. Sow seed into good ground and watch the manifestation! Don’t ever underestimate the power of consistency and desire. You have what it takes to become the best that you can be. Harness your power and exceed your own expectations.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
My passion is to help women define their personal style and bring their style goals to fruition through wardrobe styling. I provide the tools and resources to push them into full-time entrepreneurship by positioning them as an authority brand and help with the transition from the 9 to 5 grind to a business they have an authentic passion for, so that they may live the life God wants them to live through prayer, fashion, beauty, wellness and style. My specialties are Wardrobe styling, closet audits, personal shopping, set styling, and brand building. I’m known for my style, my slight comedic play on words, and my love for giving and helping others.
I recently just launched my baby, the Intimate 30 Style Tour, where I host educational events by bringing influential and experienced panelists in the style, beauty, finance/credit, and health and wellness industries in to share their knowledge on how to grow their businesses and give the opportunity for up and coming vendors at the event to showcase their products and pitch their brand to a group of people who aren’t aware of their what they offer; therefore, giving them the opportunity to gain new connections and clients.
Another baby of mine are my Style Tours to the fashion and beauty districts in LA, China, Vegas, ATL and other markets, where I take a group of hungry bosses who want to expand their business, learn how negotiate their prices with certified vendors, and how to effectively start, shop for, and run their boutiques, During these tours, we lodge at a luxury hotel and host a mastermind session, where I give the opportunity for the group to share with each other what they’ve learned, how they can improve as a business and bring originality when it comes to serving their demographic. I also drop major nuggets on how they can grow their social media and turn their followers into paying clients.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Someone will always be smarter than you; always remain teachable and learn everything there is to know about your craft. Surround yourself with people who know more than you and who will pour into you. Be sure to share with others what you’ve learned, Don’t be selfish with it.
Pricing:
- I offer an array of services. Currently my lowest service starts at $100.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.knewsom.style
- Email: k.newsomstyle@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.newsomstyle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FashionablyLethal
- Other: https://linktr.ee/K.NewsomStyle
Image Credit:
Wardrobe Stylist: K. Newsom
Photographer: Erica Dunlap
MUA: Nikki Chanel
Hair: Takeisha Berry-Brooks
Nails: Kesha Scales
Clothing: Ouida Rand
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