We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Grace Thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Grace , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Over the course of my career, there have been many times I’ve dealt with imposter syndrome. Whether it was because I was young, out of my comfort zone or taking a risk, overcoming this obstacle is something I am familiar with. Imposter syndrome can feel like a wave, crashing into you over and over again. It makes you second guess yourself, your skills, and maybe even if you are doing the right thing.
One theme I have noticed along the journey though is that imposter syndrome has come to me synonymously with growth. The minute that little flicker shows up, I know I’m moving towards something, pushing myself out of my comfort zone and doing something that down the road I will be grateful for. In the moment however, it is hard to remember this. When starting Builtgracefully, I struggled with this a lot. Was I making the right career choice? What if I didn’t like the work as much as I thought I would? Could I even run a business? Instead of leaning into these thoughts, I learned how to speak in ways that contradicted these questions. I came up with a simple motto, which I would say to myself before taking a step that I was nervous to take. You can be your worst enemy or your best cheerleader and changing my mindset, was key in how I overcame imposter syndrome.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I founded Builtgracefully, a personal wardrobe styling company located in Portland, Oregon, where I serve as both the founder and lead stylist. Our mission is to assist individuals, regardless of gender, in enhancing their style and expressing their true selves. While I am based in the Pacific Northwest, I primarily work with clients virtually, allowing me to cater to individuals across the entire West Coast, East Coast, and everywhere in between.
With over 12+ years of experience in the fashion industry, I have witnessed the highs, lows, and challenges it entails. This understanding has made me aware of how overwhelming and intimidating the world of style can be. My primary objective is to support you in creating an elevated version of yourself. I approach this journey with kindness, devoid of judgment, and fully embrace your unique identity through your personal style.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that I think have been key in my journey have been patience, bravery, and trust.
Overnight success is a rare find and one that most won’t be greeted with on their entrepreneurial path. Choose small goals over large loft ones. Look for that first client, before hoping for a full calendar. Make that first $100 before hoping to comp your corporate salary. This strategy has been key in helping me to stay motivated. Achieving small goals more often feels like progress and allows me to keep moving each and every day.
Bravery for me, was key in the journey that led me to Builtgracefully. It meant advocating for myself in jobs that were no longer serving me, sharing with the world about the jump I would take to be a business owner, quitting a stable job and diving headfirst into unknown territory. If you’re ready to take that next step, fight for the new role, start a new hobby, take the jump, because no one else will for you.
Finally, trust in yourself. For me, that was trusting that I made the right decision even if it didn’t work out. I’ve learned a lot about having my own back as a professional, business owner and female founder. The process is different for each and every one of us, but if you trust in your own unique journey, I guarantee, the goodness will find you!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
What’s interesting about my industry is that styling is connected to so many facets of life. Whenever I start with a new client, they always share with me a current life change they are going through. Whether it be getting back into the dating scene, a body change, an upcoming wedding or a career transition, style impacts big life moments in so many ways.
Executive Coach? We can style your client for an upcoming speaking engagement or help them identify their brand. Dating Coach? Let us style your client for profile photos or to help them up their confidence for their next big date. Photographer? We really should be best friends – from engagement photos, branding headshots, to family photos, we are always styling looks for photoshoots.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.builtgracefully.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtgracefully/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemckillion/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/builtgracefully-portland
Image Credits
Colleen Tyree
