Gosia Scarrott is a Soulful Stylist based in Bristol, UK. She helps driven go-getter women create a signature personal style that enhances their professional image and boosts their business impact. She is passionate about helping ladies bring that stylish #bosslady out because it empowers them to be more and achieve more in their lives. If you are looking to upgrade your everyday style and simplify your life she is here to help. Read our interview with the lovely Gosia below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I have always wanted to be helpful and useful to people, so I gave so much hard work and focus when working for other companies. At one point I discovered a need, an inner calling saying “Hang on; I want to make a difference in this world. Do really meaningful and inspiring things, change peoples’ lives and create an impact” and I simply could not fulfill this deep need by working for someone else. I had my own vision and setting up my own business was the answer.
Why Styling? I look at myself in the mirror every day and I have always wanted to feel great and confident about what I see. So over the years I have learned how to accept myself, how to create my own style and how to fall in love with it. My own style journey and interest in finding my own signature style has awakened a passion for helping other women to see their greatest potential and how to showcase it through their individual style.
Tell us about your business.
GS Styling is a passion-driven Style Consulting business whose purpose is to empower business women by bringing that stylish #bosslady out of them through style. Women do not step up as they could with their style and image; very often they are afraid to shine. I love to show them how to create that signature personal style on their own terms, step outside the box and see themselves as leaders in their business. GS Styling is very much me. It promotes the values of empowerment, simplicity and mindset growth. I offer my signature Style DNA Program and Intensive Style DNA sessions locally in Bristol, UK and online. Brand Upstyle is a joint collaboration service with my friend Lidia in which we overhaul your style and brand to boost your business success. I also run my own and joint Style and Image Workshops in Bristol.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Yes! I currently offer a FREE #Bosslady Guide – How To Dress Your Brand.
Inside the guide I share useful tips and tricks on how to boost your brand image and create outfits for your key business activities including networking events, client meetings and public presentations. You can download it HERE.
Where is your business based?
I offer my styling services in and around Bristol, UK and online.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
My first step was to join a business accelerator program called Entrepreneurial Spark in Bristol. This has enabled me to learn more about entrepreneurship, meet other go-getter business people and kick start with the right business mindset. Then I created my website, did the market research and all that “good” stuff, attended numerous networking events, invested in coaching and so on.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
I find speaking engagements, networking events and active Social Media presence the most effective ways of raising awareness. Sounds like a lot! If I could pick just one thing that I truly believe carries the impact and pushes me beyond my comfort zone it would be Public Speaking. It is something I want to focus more on next year. When it comes to getting new customers, word of mouth and client referrals seem to be the most effective way I have noticed in my business.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
My biggest challenge so far was to decide what I should be focusing my energy on, offline or online marketing activities. I really enjoy creating webinars, videos, online stuff and, on the other hand, I knew I had to build those valuable business relationships offline. I have struggled to do both at once and couldn’t go all in one or another way. This resulted in frustration, confusion and a lack of focus. Another challenge which many of you who read am sure can resonate is, finding a niche! Oh dear, what a task! Who do I want to work with most and what is my “zone of genius”?
How did you overcome these challenges?
With time I have gained more confidence in saying “no” to things that are not bringing me closer to my goals. I have found this has enabled me to be more specific when it comes to what I create and for whom and how I spend my time.
I have learned that it is very important to do things that really fire me up. In every business there are things more and less exciting to do. I have looked into ways of how I can do what’s effective yet most enjoyable for me. I have decided I definitely will continue making videos as I love doing them, also posting regularly in my FB group and repurposing the video content in my blog and the newsletter.
When it comes to offline networking, I have picked 1-2 key networking groups I want to attend that I could meet my ideal clients in rather than spreading myself thin and hustling to all events around the Bristol. I have found that a brilliant by-product of this approach is consistency. The fewer things you overwhelm yourself with, the more clear you become about what business activities suit you most. It is just like with the concept of having more style with less clothes.
When it comes to my ideal client, after having done so many of style consultations I have stepped back and looked at what my clients say about me in the testimonials and have built my strength based on what people value me most for and whom I loved working with most. I have also looked at my identity as an entrepreneur, personal growth junkie, go-getter ambitious woman and the desire to empower rather than nurture. Step by step I have gained the clarity as to whom I really want to serve.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I love to watch inspirational videos on YouTube – that always gives me the motivation kick, e.g. TED Talks, M Forleo, T Robbins and more! I also listen to some great podcasts about personal development that help me see things from a different perspective. I am a big fan of European cinema and practically any good movie with a good story I can feel inspired by, is my remedy. Spending my time with like minded entrepreneurs and friends who believe in me makes me feel that everything is possible.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
It is all about how I approach style and fashion. You see I am not passionate about clothes or fashion but about style and the individual. I am challenging certain conventional ideas and opinions on what style is and instead of focusing on dressing your physical features, shapes, color types and so on, I am stressing the importance of dressing your DNA. I take you as a whole person, not another pear body shape or autumn color type. I could never fit into any style boxes and rules, hence I teach women how to be confident in who you are and your image, thinking outside the box as this is the place where the true style can be discovered.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Give yourself a permission slip to shine! If you can help people then you are ready to put yourself out there. We carry so many fears and limiting beliefs inside us and the truth is that no amount of hard work, hustle or networking events can override some inner subconscious blocks we put on ourselves. You need to work on your emotional courage to claim your value and worth as this is the fundamental element of your business success. It’s all about mindset!
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Tony Robbins said that most people overestimate what they can achieve in one year and highly underestimate what can be achieved in a few years time. This is exactly what I’ve learned this year and this cannot be more true. So my advice is plan your long term strategy for years to come and do not get stressed out by your #ott expectations in one year.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
I like Facebook and Instagram for business and connecting with my clients. I love Pinterest for my work with clients and fantastic, on-the-go style inspiration tool.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @gosiascarrott
Twitter @gsstyling
Facebook www.facebook.com/gsstyling
Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/stylecompass
Website www.gsstyling.com
Email Gosia@gsstyling.com
Hashtags #styleDNA #Styleconfidence
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
I prefer videos over books and definitely recommend TED Talk by Simon Sinek “Start with Why”- HERE.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I am currently learning more about how to plan my PR effectively for the next year and am looking into maximizing my digital communication.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My goals for 2017 are to continue creating fantastic experiences for my #bosslady clients and turning them into leaders in their businesses through style. I am planning to reach out to more organizations for Public Speaking opportunities and focus on PR activities. I am always looking to collaborate with fabulous entrepreneurs whom we share common vision with around empowering women through style and boosting their brand image. Very ready for 2017!