Meet Melissa Dulanto

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

Melissa , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Confidence and self-esteem are crucial for personal success and well-being. They influence how we interact with the world, pursue our goals, and handle challenges. Developing these attributes is a dynamic process that involves self-awareness, skill-building, and positive reinforcement.

1. Self-Awareness and Reflection

Understanding yourself and loving who you are is the first step toward building confidence and self-esteem. Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and the experiences that have shaped you. Journaling can be an effective way to explore your thoughts and feelings. I personally had a difficult time expressing my emotions and ideas. Always been fond of writing and writing my personal thoughts on a daily journal made it somewhat healing.
It also makes you reflect on personal experiences and thought-process allowing you to have better communication with your peers, most importantly-yourself.

2. Set Achievable Goals

Getting and achieving goals boosts confidence by providing a sense of accomplishment. Start with small, manageable goals that are within reach. As you succeed, gradually set more challenging objectives. This incremental approach helps build a track record of success, reinforcing your belief in your abilities.
Small goals come with large success. Always set a realistic short term goal while the long-term goal is in the works. Celebrate for the small wins and game more confidence on your achievements.

3. Develop Your Skills

Confidence often stems from competence. Invest time in developing skills and knowledge in areas that interest you. Whether through formal education, workshops, or self-study, improving your abilities will increase your confidence in those areas. Consistent practice and feedback are key to becoming proficient and confident.

4. Challenge Negative Thoughts

Negative self-talk can erode self-esteem. Pay attention to your inner dialogue and actively challenge negative thoughts. Replace them with positive affirmations and realistic assessments of your abilities. Cognitive restructuring techniques can hep reframe your mindset and enhance self-confidence.

5. Cultivate Self-Acceptance

Self-esteem flourishes with self-acceptance, Recognize and embrace your strengths and weaknesses. Understand that nobody is perfect, and that making mistakes is part of growth, instead of harsh self-criticism, practice self0compassion and focus on your positive attributes and achievements.

6. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences

The people you interact with can impact your self-esteem and confidence. Surround yourself with supportive, encouraging individuals who uplift you. Avoid those who consistently bring you down or belittle your achievements. A positive social circle can reinforce your self-worth and help your maintain a healthy perspective.

7. Take Care of Your Well-Being

Physical and mental well-being are essential for confidence and self-esteem. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep contribute to overall health and vitality. Engaging in activities that reduce stress and promote relaxation, such as mindfulness or hobbies, also supports a positive self-image.

8. Embrace Learning and Growth

View challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats to your self-worth. Embrace new experiences and learning opportunities, even if they push you out of your comfort zone. Each challenge overcome adds to your confidence and broadens your capabilities.
When I am designing for a new brand, I always get pushed out of my comfort zone. Each fashion brand has a different customer as well as unique background and heritage. Each experience allows me to cultivate my skills and thought process on being creative.

9. Celebrate Your Achievements

Acknowledge and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Recognizing your achievements reinforces your sense of accomplishment and self-worth. Take time to reflect on your progress and reward yourself for your efforts.

10. Seek Professional Guidance

If you struggle with deep-seated issues related to confidence and self-esteem, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. Therapy can provide valuable insights, strategies, and support to address underlying issues and foster personal growth.

11. Practice Gratitude

Regularly practicing gratitude shifts your focus to the positive aspects of your life. Make a habit of noting things you are grateful for, whether big or small. Gratitude can enhance your overall outlook and contribute to a more positive self-image.
Whether you have a religion or have your own practice it’s important to acknowledge what you have and what you are thankful for.

We all have different journeys and for me developing confidence and self-esteem is a multifaceted journey involving self-awareness, skill-building, and positive reinforcement. By setting achievable goals, challenging negative thoughts, and fostering a supportive environment, you can enhance your own confidence and self-worth. Remember, personal growth is an ongoing process and it is still a process for me, every step I make contributes to a more fulfilling and confident life.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At San Francisco Fashion, we specialize in evaluating fashion brands through expert marketing, public relations, sales strategies, and event planning. As a seasoned freelance fashion designer and publicist, I bring a unique blend of creative insight and strategic acumen to help your brand stand out in a competitive industry. Whether you need to enhance your public image, drive sales, or orchestrate memorable events, we are here to provide you tailored solutions designed to achieve your goals and showcase your brand’s distinctive identity. Partner with us to transform your fashion vision into impactful, market-ready results.

We have our annual San Francisco Fashion Festival coming up this Fall in October in beautiful downtown San Francisco to showcase the best brands in apparel, footwear, accessories and beauty. Make sure to subscribe to our mailing list at
sanfranciscofashionfestival.com to get on our invite list.

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 ability to overcome setbacks and persists through challenges is crucial. Resilience helps maintain motivation and adaptability in the face of obstacles, ensuring continued progress and growth.
For those in fashion or any creative industry, having a strong sense of creativity and the ability to innovate sets you apart. It allows you to bring fresh ideas to the table, solve problems in unique ways, and create compelling work that captures attention.
Mastery of communication skills – whether in public relations, marketing or client interactions – is essential. This involves not just articulating your vision clearly but also understanding your audience and effectively conveying your message to build strong relationships and achieve your goals.

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

We are always interested in partnering and collaborating with a range of professionals to enhance our collective impact. Our team would like to partner with fashion brands who innovate ideas and fresh perspective. Can be emerging or industry brands that lead to exciting projects and new opportunities. Also we seek professionals who specialize in digital marketing, social media strategy, and SEO to amplify brand visibility and engage target audiences effectively.
Individuals with experience in organizing high-profile fashion events, from launches to runway shows. Their skills can ensure seamless execution and a memorable experience.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Duy Ho, Francis Libiran, Natalie Zmeu

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