Meet Shakaylah

We recently connected with Shakaylah and have shared our conversation below.

Shakaylah , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I didn’t find my purpose in one defining moment. It unfolded over time through the things I kept showing up for—creating, organizing, and helping people feel more confident. Those weren’t just hobbies; they were clues.
As I grew in my career and stepped deeper into styling and event work, I realized there was a clear common thread: I feel most myself when I’m uplifting others. Whether I’m helping someone reconnect with their personal style or shaping meaningful experiences in my work, my purpose has always been rooted in empowering people.
For me, purpose isn’t about a specific title. It’s about using my creativity and care to make others feel seen, supported, and confident. Once I embraced that, everything started to align.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Professionally, I work as a Personal Stylist and Creative Director, and my brand, Shakaylah, is centered on helping people feel confident, seen, and grounded in their personal style. My on-camera personality, The Styling Princess, allows me to bring that mission to life in a fun, educational, and approachable way.

My work blends fashion, creative direction, and storytelling. I style clients using pieces they already own, build capsule wardrobes, create moodboards, and transform closets—but I also teach people how to understand style. Through my educational series, The Papillon Edit, I break down fashion vocabulary and styling techniques so style feels accessible for everyone.

I also co-host a fashion podcast and digital series called Mo & Shay: Fits & Facts, where we explore fashion history, personal style, and the cultural stories behind what we wear. It’s another space where I get to blend education and creativity, and it has become one of the most exciting extensions of my work.

What excites me most right now is the expansion of my creative projects. I’m building new YouTube and TikTok series, sharing behind-the-scenes content, and developing collaborations that merge style, culture, and confidence-building. Everything I’m doing—whether it’s a client session or a content piece—is rooted in clarity, confidence, and creativity.

At its core, my brand is about empowerment. I don’t style people to fit trends; I style them to feel at home in themselves. And seeing someone rediscover their confidence through style will always be the most special part of what I do.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that made the biggest impact on my journey were creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

Creativity has always been my foundation. Whether I’m styling a client, directing a photoshoot, or building systems in my professional role, creativity allows me to see possibility where others see limitations. It’s what helps me reimagine a closet, elevate a brand, or bring an idea to life.
Advice: Protect your creativity. Stay curious. Let yourself experiment without expecting perfection. Creativity grows when you give yourself permission to play.

Adaptability has carried me through every season of change—personally, professionally, and creatively. My path hasn’t been linear, and being able to pivot, learn, and evolve has allowed me to move forward instead of getting stuck.
Advice: Don’t fear the pivot. Learn to adjust without abandoning your purpose. The more flexible you become, the more opportunities you’ll recognize.

Emotional intelligence has been the quiet superpower behind everything I do. Styling is intimate work. Leadership is relational work. And creating content that resonates requires empathy. Understanding people—how they think, what they feel, what they need—has shaped the way I show up in every part of my career.
Advice: Slow down and listen. Ask questions. Build self-awareness. Emotional intelligence grows when you practice seeing people beyond the surface.

For anyone early in their journey, my biggest encouragement is this: you don’t need to master everything at once. Focus on sharpening the qualities that come naturally to you, then gradually build around them. Your strengths are already pointing you toward your purpose—trust them.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m definitely open to collaborating. My brand, Shakaylah, is growing, and I’m excited to partner with people and organizations who value creativity, storytelling, and authenticity. I’m especially interested in connecting with photographers, videographers, fellow stylists, fashion creatives, and brands that want to explore fresh visual concepts or educational fashion content.
I love projects that blend style, culture, and confidence-building—whether that’s through editorial shoots, digital content, or creative campaigns. If someone feels aligned with that vision, I’d love to hear from them.

The best way to connect with me is through Instagram at @thestylingprincesse, or by email at [email protected]. I’m always excited to bring new ideas to life with people who share the same passion for creativity and community.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylingprincesse/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shakaylahleonard/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStylingPrincess

Image Credits

Image of me assisting my client and showcasing posing in red one piece:
Photograpgher: Pix 7