Meet Jacqui Getz

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jacqui Getz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jacqui, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

I connect being optimistic directly to being solution- oriented. As an educator for 36 years, 25 of which was spent as a school leader, believing that problem-solving and seeking solution in a collaborative manner is an essential attribute. These habits of mind are also the underpinnings of being optimistic.

I think there is a cluster of phrases that I actually find hard to tolerate: “It will not work…there is no way…let’s forget it….I called but they did not answer….I asked but they did not get back to me…” You can see where I am going with this. Believe me, I do not believe in miracles or count on them, and I also know some issues cannot be resolved in ways that always feel good, and there are some things medicine cannot cure. However, in day-to-day life,work and relationships, optimism can be evident in planning, collaborating, strategizing, gathering resources, asking questions, doing research, and listening to a variety of ideas and opinions.

When I switched from being an educator for 36 years to starting a business in the fashion field, being optimistic was clearly my only choice. While the word “manifest” may be a bit overused, what else would a 61 year-old choose to do when embarking on a new career?

The optimistic steps I took involved going to FIT 5 years before I retired from education, going to graduate school 5 days after my retirement date, and then finding mentors everywhere. I am also a strong believer in connections and in trusting that people do like to move others forward. I find this especially true with women as we age. There is a strong sense of community and support, i.e. optimism.

My optimism is further strengthened by living in the present. I am an obsessive planner- calendars and lists are my heartbeat, BUT, at 64, I no longer want to plan TOMORROW at the expense of TODAY. I am in new territory so there is an ongoing list of TO DO’s- things to learn, people to contact, materials to create, appointments to schedule. I learned to transfer my skills from founding a NYC public middle school to building a business- with optimism. If I am not sure I can do it, how can I convince others I can succeed at this new business?

Every day is new. I cannot overthink my age or timeline. I actively seek role models and inspiration. That fuels my optimism.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a Closet Edit/Wardrobe Refresh Stylist for (mostly) older women. After being a NYC public school educator (teacher, coach, consultant, school leader) for 36 years, I worked full-time while raising three wonderful daughters. My husband was also a teacher and school leader in NYC public schools, and that certainly helped with schedules and being one another’s best support system. I stopped that career at 61 and went to graduate school for an MA in Sustainable Fashion. My thesis focused on disrupting ageism in fashion through the sustainable fashion business model. I am passionate about issues surrounding aging, especially women. Studying ageism in fashion provides you with a very accurate picture of ageist practices throughout society.

I am a planner by nature so I set up my new career 5 years before retiring from education. I earned an Image Consultant certificate at night and on weekends from Fashion Institute of Technology. I finished my graduate studies at 63 years-old and started my business, The Details of Style (www.thedetailsofstyle.com, @thedetailsofstye) a few months later. The question is- how did I know what I was doing? My secret weapon was my research for my thesis. My advisor told me to interview 8-10 people for my research. I interviewed close to 30 people. I was happily obsessed with tracking down experts in agism, fashion, journalism, marketing, design and retail. I was inspired, delighted, surprised, and charmed by the people and knowledge.

The hours of interviews gave me confidence to continue relationships and form new ones. As my business model took shape, I had hours of conversation with a professor/mentor from FIT, I reached out to other stylists and asked for advice from everyone. I practiced my closet editing skills on neighbors, built a website, hired a career coach, printed cards and decided I would not be a victim of Imposter Syndrome. That was important, I named my business and “wore” the role.

This is the same attitude I take into my work with clients. My goal is to work with clients as they define or refine their style. I am always working to watch a client emerge with an understanding of how to build an outfit, feeling strong emotionally and physically in what they choose to wear, and reminding themselves that they are worth it- that is my work.

In the last year I have had many wonderful experiences. I am doing clients in person and via Zoom- all over the country! We work together for hours (4-9). We end with bags for donation and tailoring, many new combinations and outfits, and the beginning of a journey together. I love when a client says, “I would never have thought to put this together!” And I am very happy when clients feel more confident when we get organized and energized together and they realize that their wardrobe is not a hopeless mess,. There is a lot of follow-up: comments on all photos of new outfits, links to new items, and ideas for full outfits. I keep in touch with clients for questions, to look at pictures of new purchases, and to continue to advise and support.

Once a month I do IG Live Chats with a friend- we talk to women who inspire us with their relevant pro-aging work in fashion, as influencers, as housing experts, and social activists. I learn from these chats and the various podcasts in which I participate. In reality, my skills as an educator, school leader, and consultant all came together in my new business. I feel lucky to meet new clients and colleagues- aging alongside these wonderful women is a gift.

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?

This is not easy but the first three that come to mind:

1. Remaining a learner and being curious- This is something I value a lot. I love new knowledge, new skills, new challenges. And the way to approach a new career is by being open to this experience.
2. Looking for solutions- This is essential to feeling a sense of control and keeping momentum and moving forward. It requires the ability to ask questions, be creative, think outside the box, and to be strategic.
3. Being a Connector- This is about listening, looking for similarities among people, and matching strengths and finally, imagining possibilities. I love connecting people and growing relationships. Many people have generously connected me to others in this new world and it has been fundamental to my growth.

I think all of the above rests on humility and confidence- both of which require the ability to take responsibility…for your journey, your mistakes, your successes, your failures, your efforts, your joy.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

I love this question because August 1 is my one year anniversary of my business, THE DETAILS OF STYLE. My biggest area of growth has been EVERYTHING. I created a business that at first glance has nothing to do with education. People often ask me how I learned how to do closet edits/wardrobe refreshes/styling and to start a business!

First of all- the interest has always been there. I started to prepare 7 years ago with a certificate in Image Consulting. And then I waited, finishing up my career, and going to graduate school. Interestingly, the last role I had as an educator was to start a NYC public middle school. I had a year to go from an idea and a vision to recruiting staff, students and families, creating curriculum, ordering supplies, and setting up a learning environment for 200 students.

When I started THE DETAILS OF STYLE (www.thedetailsofstyle.com) , I hired a career coach who reminded me that the skills I had used to start a school could transfer to starting a business. That sounds obvious, but it was a big “Aha” moment for me! And, it also turned up the expectations I had to set for myself. I could not honestly say that this experience was completely new to me. I had to accept responsibility for knowing that creating a business had many similarities to starting a school, and therefore, there were fewer excuses I could use.

I mentioned earlier that I had to actively resist slipping into Imposter Syndrome. On more than one occasion, a friend introduced me to other women as the stylist who could edit their closets and help them rethink their wardrobes. I learned to accept this title and description. No time to be too humble or shy! Claim the role! I am running a business and I do believe that I am growing into it every day and becoming better and better with each experience.

I have also become more willing to try things. This may be due to age. I am 64- what would possess me to say NO? I am enjoying being braver, saying “Yes” more often, and getting used to being a bit uncomfortable. I am testing my confidence as an entrepreneur, and enjoying it.

Finally- my growth is being intentional and deliberate in creative ways. By that I mean I am nudging myself to represent myself with a more bold attitude. I did this as a school leader- but with decades of educational experience and knowledge. Now I am assuming a bold attitude based on my passion and enjoyment of this new business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thedetailsofstyle.com
• Instagram: thedetailsofstyle
• Linkedin: jacqui getz