Roberta Lee is the founder of Roberta Style Lee and the Ethical A-Z Brand Directory. She’s a confidence coach, a sustainable personal stylist, a podcast host, and a speaker. She empowers women to embrace their beauty and step into their most confident selves using the power of good health, positivity and personal style.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
Just a few years ago, I lost myself in a blur of work, unhealthy relationships, an unbalanced lifestyle and exposure to too much negativity. To avoid spiraling further out of control, I quit my marketing and communications contracting career in London and embarked on a self-development journey that led me to setting up Roberta Style Lee.
Tell us about your business.
Roberta Style Lee is more than just speaking, confidence coaching and styling. It’s about inspiring confidence and empowering women to be the best version of themselves from the inside out – and doing it in a responsible way. The brand concept was created to inspire confidence and self belief in as many women as possible whilst making a positive social impact.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
I have 2 free gifts available to download via my website.
I’d also like to offer LadyBossBlogger readers 35% off my online personal styling course:
- Create Your Own Personal Style, coupon code: ladybossblogger.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
- From 2015 – 2016, I was able to achieve a phenomenal amount of things within my business without any outside funding or support.
- In late 2017, the Inspirational Women Series podcast was launched attracting high profile female guests from around the globe. The podcast also boasts a positive 5 star rating from iTunes listeners.
- In March 2017, I was fortunate enough to get an investor to back the growth of my company and help me develop more online resources.
- In July 2017, the Ethical A-Z Brand Directory went live, attracting global interest from brands, journalists and sponsors.
- July 2017 also saw the launch of my first online course, Create Your Own Personal Style, with a focus on building a sustainable wardrobe.
Where is your business based?
London & Online (Global).
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I made a plan. Well no, actually, first I wrote down all the things that made me happy and all the things that don’t. Then, I looked at creating a business that allowed me to live my life on my terms. I wanted an online business so that I could pick and choose my hours. It was important to me that I could still take care of my health and have plenty of time for fun, family and friends.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
I still work mainly from referrals. However, in-person networking in London is probably been the most advantageous. Saying that, social media has captured a lot of people on my email list – so being social online has really helped.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Budgeting for growth, development and marketing. As a small business totally bootstrapping, I found it hard to switch my mindset and expectations away from big corporate strategy, budgets and resources. Suddenly, everything I used to delegate to agencies in my old jobs were now on me, and I didn’t have the money to pay for things. I stupidly tried to do everything myself, and I quickly remembered that ‘burnout’ and ‘overwhelm’ wasn’t reserved for just the corporate life.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I hired freelancers and delegated as many tasks as I could. I joined online entrepreneur communities and started to build up my network. Then, asking for help became second nature. I stopped struggling, started looking out rather than in, took action, got myself another coach and things slowly shifted.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I’m a very motivated person, and whilst I have my peaks, I also have my spells of low energy and enthusiasm. When that strikes I have to dig deep and come back to my purpose, my WHY, and realign myself with my big vision. I remind myself I have endured far worse times in my life, and this, by all accounts, is easy. I just get on with it. I keep focused by practicing gratitude, looking after my health, particularly fitness and nutrition. I always look for the positive, and I make sure I dress to make myself feel great. Clothes and my appearance have always played a big part in that.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
Well, in terms of building confidence, which is what I am all about, I believe you have to work from the inside out and do it in a responsible way. Telling women to go buy a new dress won’t address the deeper issues.
I believe it is possible to live life and do business ethically and sustainably without causing harm to other people, animals or the planet. I refuse to compromise on my values and prefer to work with a smaller, like-minded community of women and collaborate with businesses who share similar values.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Not to compare my business to coaches and stylist and to stay focused on what I am doing.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Don’t be surprised if you feel like you’re failing at everything most of the time. When you work alone, there’s rarely any opportunities to get feedback, and it’s easy to feel like we can do better. Every day, remind yourself of 3 great things you achieved in the work day and end the day on a high note.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
I really love Social Jukebox for Twitter scheduling. I recently moved to WordPress with the help of my investor, and I am enjoying how open source platforms don’t limit your ideas and ability to scale and grow your business. I’ve also just jumped ship from MailChimp to Active Campaign! Also my investor has been my hero the past 3 months, helping me with all the tech and getting my business to a place that I was struggling to get to on my own.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
I’m currently reading “Key Person Of Influence” by Daniel Priestley. One I read last year which kicked my butt was “7-day Start Up” by Dan Norris. Right now, I’m also casually flicking through my “Foundr Entrepreneur” coffee table book, I backed their crowdfunding campaign and I even got my name on the back cover 🙂
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
PR… I am meeting journalists at the moment, don’t ask me why I have been so slow with pouncing on these opportunities. I don’t have a good excuse. I need to remedy it. I think I have a negative association with trying to ‘sell’ myself. I’ve always preferred organic encounters, but as you know, business is competitive and I do need to put myself out there more and network with more female business groups.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
It’s all about the Ethical A-Z Brand Directory. We have a target to get 200 quality brands listed and decide on our main sponsor. I also have my online course to get out there, so those two things fortunately will compliment one another. I just need to ensure every day I am reaching out to the right brands and inviting them to join the project.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @robertastylelee
Twitter @R0bertalee
Facebook www.facebook.com/robertastylelee
Youtube www.youtube.com/robertastyleleeUK
iTunes Roberta Style Lee Podcast Inspirational Women Series
Website www.robertastylelee.co.uk
Email info@robertastylelee.co.uk
Hashtags #robertastylelee #robertastyleleepodcast #sustainablestylist #confidencecoach