I met Kiley Stenberg of a Sequin Dress at Breakfast a few fashion week seasons ago at a brunch (where else?) and we’ve been fast friends ever since. While living in Des Moines, Iowa, Kiley has been working at an agency who’s clients are mostly construction and agricultural companies, and writing her personal style blog.
Today is her last day at this job. Because of the connections she made through her blog, she’ll be starting her new job on Monday, doing everything from marketing to buying and social media for a specialty apparel boutique, Badower’s, in Des Moines.
I got to congratulate her in person last week, but I caught up with her again yesterday so I could share this inspiring blogger success story with you! I love her story because she did what so many of us do – created an outlet for her passions through her blog – and it lead to a professional advancement she’s truly excited about.
Why did you first get into blogging?
I started A Sequin Dress at Breakfast three years ago, when I was starting to read a lot of blogs and felt like I needed a creative outlet of my own. It seemed like the perfect way to document all the things I loved and I was able to dip my toe in an industry I otherwise wasn’t a part of while living in Des Moines.
What is your motivation to keep it up, even while working full time?
I always have said and still believe that I would continue my blog even if no one read it, because it’s my own little space where I can create, share, design, and gush about the things I love — and there’s no guidelines or rules to follow. It’s also so motivating to hear from readers, whether they mention something to you in person, leave a comment, or reach out to you in another way, it’s always nice to be noticed for something you work incredibly hard on and care so much about.
Can you tell me the little story of how you first got connected with Badower’s?
I first stopped in this local men’s boutique, Badower’s, over a year ago when they were having an event with NYFW menswear designer Todd Snyder, and I wanted to check it out. I thought the store had an amazing, well-edited mix of brands and products, and started stopping by the store occasionally and covered a few of their events on my blog.
…And so how did this new job come about?
Awhile back, I started joking with the people at Badower’s, asking when they were going to open a women’s equivalent in Des Moines, and to my surprise, they told me they actually wanted to talk with me about just that! A couple weeks ago they asked if I would come on board with them to bring in some women’s lines and help out with their social media. I’ll be jumping in a variety of roles – buying, social media, marketing, events, and sales for them.
What advice would you give to bloggers who want leverage their blog as a portfolio or resume-booster?
“It’s crazy to think that the next chapter of my life would have never have happened had I not had my blog,”
Have you gotten a job or amazing professional opportunity through your blog? Share your success story in the comments!
[Image credit: A Sequin Dress at Breakfast]
WOW! Congrats! I’m a blogger too, and I really want to become a Fashion Designer! Fingers Crossed!
Lots of Love
Tolly Dolly Posh
Age 12