"Catherine is a ray of sunshine, but she is painfully shy." - My Kindergarten Report Card

And so started my self-study of confidence. 

Throughout my life, I have used my clothes as armor. Not in the sense of protecting myself from others, but to embolden myself. 

I remember what I wore for every milestone that was far beyond my comfort zone: first communion, first day of a new school in 5th grade (twice!), going to a bar for the first time when I visited USC, sorority rush, interviewing for my first job out of college (it was the same suit, obvi), interviewing for BCBG, giving my first design presentation, backstage at NYFW, sharing my story onstage in a performance piece (pictured above), speaking at Inside Edge, speaking at Rock the World, hosting my first style salon, etc. 

Some people remember life events by sporting events and the national news of that day. I remember them by what I wore. 

Using clothes as a catalyst to connect to my inner confidence, I empowered myself to step into these uncomfortable and challenging situations.

Feeling confident in my presence got me into the room, pushed me forward for the opportunity.

There was a time where I felt bad about being shy; like there was something wrong with me. But discovering this report card many years later in high school made me realized by accepting it, I'd created a powerful tool for myself to move through situations outside of my comfort zone. 

So every time I inevitably stepped out of my comfort zone again, I got more comfortable there.

I don't consider myself shy anymore, though I do have my moments. And as an entrepreneur, I joke that I live my life outside of my comfort zone. 

Clothes are a catalyst for confidence. (There are also studies that have proven this to be true.)

Even if you're lucky enough to never ever doubt yourself, think about a big event you had recently and what you wore.
How did it make you feel? Why did you choose that outfit? 

My Fashion career started on the sales floor of Nordstrom after my Freshman year of college. Working in the Individualist department, I was helping professional women find pieces they loved, and that they wouldn’t have picked themselves, to make it easier to get dressed for work.

In looking back, it was witnessing them experience the feeling of personal power in wearing these pieces that hooked me into the idea of creating this experience at scale with Boutique Box.

It was my time as a merchandiser at BCBG that led me to launch my own business to solve this problem because I felt there was a massive disconnect between customers and designers, creating overwhelm for the customer and waste for the designer. This problem seemed most challenging for women getting dressed for work. So, I started my first business, Ustyled, to eliminate the disconnect by solving the problem for this customer. 

For 10 years I built that business, working with hundreds of women between 1-1, workshops, speaking and online programs. 

What I came to realize is that Intelligent Style™ comes down to two things:

• The tools to do a bit of inner inquiry to connect to your inner style
• Ease to find the pieces that fit + feel good to empower your style

And thus, in 2018 I pivoted and closed Ustyled to set about and launch Boutique Box.

Intelligent Style™ gives you the tools to do the inner inquiry. Boutique Box gives you the ease to find the pieces you love. A great wardrobe doesn't need to be a giant wardrobe. A great wardrobe is a wardrobe you WEAR, mixing + matching + playing with how you want to show up for you.

The bottom line: everything I do is considering how best I can serve you in style and success. If there is anything we can do for you and/or your team, please let us know!

With style and substance,

Catherine

Founder and CEO, Boutique Box