We recently connected with Kiara Hatcher and have shared our conversation below.
Kiara, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I think like most of us, my initial self esteem and confidence came from how I was raised. I am grateful to have a mother that instilled confidence in me as a child. She took note of the things that came natural to me and expanded on those qualities. I was a happy and friendly kid, so she always encouraged me to make new friends and foster those relationships. I was physically active, so she supported me in playing all kinds of sports. School came easy to me, so she challenged me to take extracurriculars. I grew confident in these areas of my life and overall had a great childhood.
My mom supported me without a doubt, but also made sure to give honest feedback on how to improve. She valued discipline and showed me that I can always be better if I put the work in. That’s what stands out the most from my childhood. I’ve consistently been able to take in feedback. I’ll admit, sometimes the criticism was hard to hear, but it always came from a place of love and kept me humble. It also prepared me for those moments where I might hear critiques from the outside world, from a coach for example, or a teacher. Or even an enemy.
Just like anyone else, I have had difficult moments where my confidence has waivered. But the one thing that has consistently been helpful is having “self awareness.” I look at myself and not only do I acknowledge my accomplishments, but also understand my mistakes. I don’t look from a place of judgment, but instead a place of improvement, of curiousity. I ask myself how can I get better at this? What can I implement to not make the same mistakes again?
I find that when you acknowledge your flaws and weaknesses, you give them less power. I know my personal strengths and I make sure to take advantage of those. That’s how I keep my confidence steady. However, I also know that I’m simultaneously improving on my weaknesses. Or at least trying to. That’s the challenging part, but when you start seeing improvement in those areas, it is a huge confidence boost. I feel proud and I pat myself on the back in those moments, but it all begins with my self awareness!
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 Fashion Stylist, and Mother to my 5-year-old son. I’m from Los Angeles, California. Styling has become a way for me to channel my creativity and help others to feel good. I feel the most creative when I’m styling for editorials or photoshoots. I get to think outside the box and play with clothes in a unique way. I collaborate with photographers, make-up artists, models and other talents to create the final look. I do personal styling as well, where I help clients revamp their own wardrobe. I study their personal style; see what kind of brands they like and where they get inspiration from. Then I add in my suggestions or even assist with personal shopping. The best part is seeing my clients transform through the process and gain self-confidence.
This led to me start my brand, Kapsule. It began as a boutique offering women’s clothing, but is now becoming a passion project centered on the topic of confidence. I launched my “Confidence is Key” collection in 2020, and it features unisex designs for women, men, and children!
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?
I believe POSITIVITY, CONSISTENCY and ADAPTABILITY, are 3 qualities that have been the most impactful in my journey. Having a positive attitude has helped me form and build solid connections in my personal and career life. I try my best to bring cheerfulness and humor, even in stressful situations and I think people appreciate that about me. When it comes to consistency, I find it easier to maintain when you follow your passions. I love what I do, and it makes me want to continue forward.
I believe adaptability is one of the most important skills to develop. The biggest example for me was when I became a mother. Watching my son grow in his first year of life was such a crazy time. It seemed like everyday something changed about him, and I had to adapt in order to properly care for him. One day he’s sitting on his own, not moving anywhere, then the next he’s crawling all around the house getting into stuff! He learned new skills on a daily basis, and I had to adjust accordingly in order to keep up. It was exciting and frustrating at the same time, but I realized that that’s what life is. Seasons change, technologies change, laws change. Change is inevitable, and you’ll get left behind if you are not willing to adapt.
I think my biggest struggle has been trying to balance motherhood with my career passions. I want to do it all, but there are plenty of times where I have to prioritize my sons needs first. Being positive, adaptable, and consistent is what helps me to push through and keep things balanced.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, I am always open to collaborations! A big goal of mine is to one day have my brand featured in Target. I would love to connect with anyone that has similar passions to mine or any advice on how to grow my ideas. Unfortunately, all of my social media was hacked and deleted earlier this year, so I’m working to rebuild my community from scratch. I’m hoping to inspire and encourage people to be the best version of themselves. If any part of my story resonates with you, check out the links at the end of this article! Follow, or message me and I will be sure to return the love!
Contact Info:
- Website: Kapsuleboutique.com
- Instagram: @Kiara.Hatcherstyle @Kapsule.bykiara
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiara-hatcher-965bab11a
Image Credits
Stephen Spencer, Alisha Rome, Trae Romano, Adriyan Rae, Naida Estubier
