Passion for fashion? I’ve got just the woman for you. Meet Lindsey Calla, founder of SaucyGlossie.com.
Oh – and you might recognize her from TJ Maxx commercials dancing across your TV screen, she’s their Maxxinista.
Lindsey dishes with Stephanie on taking the entrepreneurial leap and, of course, fashion. Do you know the 5 pieces you need in your closet right now?! Don’t worry, you soon will – on a real girl budget.
MAXXINISTA CONFIDENCE
SG: What is a Maxxinista?
LC: Someone who isn’t afraid to embrace fashion — they really love their trends, but they love to make it work for themselves. They can take anything that they see on the runways and make it really wearable and wear it with confidence.
SG: You definitely express your style and fashions sense with confidence. Have you always been a very confident person?
LC: I’ve always been pretty confident. I grew up being an athlete and working with a team is one of the biggest things that helped me [develop] confidence. But, I think there are always times when you doubt yourself, that’s just normal. It’s important to know your weaknesses and to make them a strength.
TAKING THE LEAP
SG: Right out of college you landed a great PR job. What was the path from PR to Maxxinista?
LC: It has definitely evolved [for] me. After a few years, I knew PR wasn’t really for me. I have an entrepreneurial spirit, I like to have my hand in a bunch of different things and I like to set the bar really high for myself. The experience that I [got starting out] in PR and magazines was invaluable; I would never trade that for anything because it later laid the foundation for me.
SG: Not long ago I went through the entrepreneurial transition and as amazing as it is, it’s still scary as hell! What was the greatest fear for you in taking the leap to be out on your own with Saucy Glossie?
LC: I really value being independent and being able to support myself, so my biggest fear wasn’t necessarily failure but more financial security. If I take the risk and it doesn’t work, I can get over the actual fact that it didn’t work, but it was more, “Can I support myself on what I’m doing?” There’s no better feeling when you’re working for yourself and to see that monetary reward come in.
SG: Did you ever find yourself at a crossroads moment: give up or forge ahead?
LC: It was hard because in the beginning you put so much into something, and you’re like, “Okay, is this going to work?” [When I started,] I would still go on job but I think it was almost a blessing that there weren’t a lot of jobs available. It forced me to make it work.
MUST-HAVE FASHION
SG: Saucy Glossie is all about fashion on a real girl budget. Fashion can be so extravagant – why bother with a budget?
LC: My mom raised me to be a savvy shopper and made me realize that I don’t have to spend a lot of money to look cute. It’s not a good feeling to read a website and see a girl who has all [high-end items] – you can’t relate to that!
SG: What are the 5 essential pieces I need in my closet this winter season?
LC: 1. COAT
Invest in an amazing coat that makes you feel really confident when you’re walking down the street. Make sure the coat has a cut that flatters you and consider a bold color to brighten up the dreary winter days.
2. BOOT
A great boot is essential. I have a knee boot with a little bit of a heel in a great leather, it works in all of the elements – really functional piece.
3. TAILORED PANTS
Really great pair of tailored pants is always great to have; dress them up or dress down.
4. RAINBOOTS
You have to have something functional.
5. SUNGLASSES
I think people forget to wear [sunglasses in the winter] because it’s not summery sunny, but when you throw a pair of really great sunglasses on in the winter, you look instantly chic.
OLDER, WISER
SG: My always ask question, what do you know now that you wish you had known at 20 years old?
LC: Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to accomplish everything right away. I put so much pressure on myself to think that I was going to own a house and be super financially successful by the time I was 25. It’s important to take every experience for what it is and really experience it; don’t look so far ahead. Try to enjoy that time where you’re figuring out what you want to do because what you learn from that experience is so amazing.
