When Kerry Brownell launched Kerry’s Style Sessions, she faced the same questions many new business owners do: How do you find clients? What makes them stay? And how do you handle the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running? Now, after six years of hands-on experience helping clients transform their confidence and wardrobes, she’s developed practical answers to these questions.
Through her journey from stylist to successful business owner, Kerry has picked up insights that apply whether you’re helping clients with their wardrobes or their corporations.
Starting with Purpose
Kerry cuts straight to the chase about what drives business success. “My number one tip is to have passion and drive,” she says. She’s noticed that most people thinking about starting a business already have that spark – they just need to tap into it. “Once you know your purpose and your passion and your drive, it makes everything so much more easy. It gives you clarity on the journey that you’re about to go on.”
When it comes to connecting with clients, Kerry takes a problem-solving approach. Drawing from her styling work, she explains, “My customers are women. They come to me for styling, and their usual pain points include struggles with their bodies, a dislike for shopping, aversions to shopping centers, and feeling overwhelmed by their wardrobes.” Her solution extends beyond simply selecting outfits. “I actually use clothing as a tool to address their challenges,” she explains, guiding clients on how their wardrobe choices can enhance their daily lives, rippling through to their relationships and work.
Sales Without the Script
Here’s something refreshing – you don’t need to be a sales expert. “I have not had any sales experience. My background has just been general customer service skills,” Kerry shares. Instead of rehearsed pitches, she focuses on genuine connections. “As long as you are transparent and show authenticity and you are honest, then you can naturally become a salesperson because you will naturally talk the talk and walk the walk.”
Kerry’s approach to client categorization is practical and specific. “I split my customers up into personality types or avatars,” she explains. “I have retired ladies, I have new moms, I have people that are in the corporate world – different types of demographics, different age groups, and they’re at different stages in their life.” This detailed understanding helps her tailor her services effectively.
Getting Help Where It Counts
Running solo doesn’t mean doing it alone. “Get yourself a business mentor,” Kerry advises. She’s candid about her own background: “I didn’t go to business school, I didn’t go to university. I didn’t have any idea about how to run a business.” While she knew her craft, the business side needed support. “I knew how to do all the front-end stuff, and I knew I could talk to people, and I knew what I wanted to offer them, but the actual running, the nitty-gritty of running a business, I did need to get help with.”
According to Kerry, smart delegation matters – especially with finances. Kerry points out a key hire: “I also have a bookkeeper, so someone looking after my accounts.” She sees this kind of support as crucial for maintaining focus and reducing stress, especially if it’s something you don’t love doing. “These are definitely areas that I would recommend just to take some overwhelm out of your head when you are starting off.”
Kerry’s approach shows that building a successful service business comes down to a few key elements: knowing your craft, understanding your clients, being authentic in your approach, and getting help with the technical stuff. Her straightforward advice cuts through typical business jargon to focus on what actually works in the real world.
If you want to learn more about Kerry Brownell, you can visit her website or check out her LinkedIn profile.
