Each month we feature inspirational women who've made it to the other side of career change. Learn how they did it and take away usable tips from their career journeys!
We're thrilled to profile Renee Lindo. Renee helps professional women save time and increase confidence by creating a polished wardrobe & image aligned with their personal brand so they can attract career-building opportunities.
What's your personal mantra, mission, or manifesto? I guide women on their style journey from confused and overwhelmed to confident and killing it! I help them to leverage their wardrobe and how they show up, to attract the opportunities they desire.
What inspired you to launch your business?
After a successful Corporate career as a National Sales Director, in Pharma, I realized even though I was successful and I had reached the top of that mountain, it was the wrong mountain!
I've always loved fashion and style and always supported women with their style. I knew the confidence I felt when I walked into boardrooms and meetings, knowing I looked good. It gave me a level of confidence to negotiate for myself, ask for big projects, close the deal, etc. I wanted to help other women understand the power in their image and how we show up. When we look good we feel good and it's a game-changer!
What is unique about returning/pivoting in midlife? Challenges & opportunities?
I have to say it was scary! I'd always told myself I can't leave Pharma, as that is all I know. And if I did leave I'd have to start over and all my years in Pharma would be gone.
What I have since understood after this pivot, is that you don't start over from nothing. You start from where you are. And after building a successful career, I had a lot of great skills that definitely are being used in entrepreneurship.
The opportunity for me is supporting women over 40 who are vibrant, fun, and enjoying life and want to be fabulously stylish doing it. We are no longer the focus of media and magazines, but we are certainly still here living our best lives.
What’s one intention you have for your work this year? MY intention for 2021 is to be the go-to stylist for professional women and to land a spot on a TV morning show!!
What are you most passionate about right now? I'm passionate about helping women who want to emerge "post-pandemic", as their authentic selves, with style that supports their lifestyle and personal brand now. For many, pre-pandemic clothing no longer serves them and they want to show up differently. This transformation is exciting to watch.
What does a typical day look like for you? They all start out pretty much the same, but then end up being different. I'm up at 5:30-pray, gratitude, affirmations, 6:30 I strength train with my coach, go for my 8.5km walk - my favorite part of my day - I listen to podcasts and think on my walk.
Then home to make breakfast (steel cut oats and egg white omelette). I'm on social media posting and engaging during this time; then shower and dressed for my day, which can be a combination of closet edits, style consults, shopping, lookbook creation with Mommy duties mixed in.
What’s the one thing that has advanced your career in the last year? My consistency on social media, in particular Linkedin. Being visible on Linkedin, sharing content, engaging on posts, strategically building my network and being seen as an expert and thought leader has resulted in numerous guest spots on podcasts, new clients, referrals, speaking opportunities, and just a really great network, has been a game-changer for me.
Favorite book, app or podcast? I enjoyed Alex Carter's book on negotiation, Ask for More. Canva for all my graphics.
You’re granted an extra hour in the day, how do you spend it? Reading. I love reading and I have gotten away from it... just can't get it in, or it has fallen on my priority list.
The advice that I want to give to my 75 year old self is... I don't know if it's advice, but what I'd want to be able to say at 75 is "Renee you lived your best life. You squeezed everything out of life, used your gifts and talents to pour into others, so they could live their best lives, and enjoyed to journey.
You were a devoted mother, supportive partner and friend, and a woman who always moved in faith. You created the life you wanted and did it your way. I am so proud of you."
Your theme song that played every time you walked in a room would be? I'm a survivor-Beyoncé.
Best career advice for other women?
Do excellent work, know your value, ask for what you want and build a strong network.
What’s up next? Continuing to do this work that lights me up. I am also looking forward to some collaborations with brands that are aligned with my clients, ie. vibrant, fun, sophisticated women.