We’re excited to spotlight three of our NYC-based Stylists who have stepped up as leaders at our J.Hilburn NYC Showroom. Over the years, Shawn Evans, Susan Brown, and Kristy Koys have not only excelled in their roles but are now focused on expanding our local presence, increasing activity at the showroom, and mentoring both new and existing Stylists.
This passionate trio is dedicated to the J.Hilburn mission and eager to support anyone looking to grow their J.Hilburn business. Below, we’ve asked Shawn, Susan, and Kristy to share some information about their backgrounds and answer a few questions highlighting the advantages of working from our showroom.
If you or your team members are in NYC or the surrounding areas and are interested in learning more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Shawn, Susan, and Kristy, or schedule an appointment to visit the showroom.
Enrollment: March 2015
Current Rank: Style Associate
Bio: Shawn is a NYC-based Style Associate who joined J.Hilburn nine years ago after many years working as a personal Stylist. Shawn’s prior experience includes early stints in classic northeastern fashion retail icon stores John Wanamaker’s and Bonwit Teller. Prior to J.Hilburn, Shawn’s experience included dressing both men and women, working with celebrities, video styling, and personal shopping.
Q: Why are you excited to work with new Stylists at the Showroom?
A: I’m excited to work with new Stylists in our NYC Showroom because we all come from different backgrounds and have different strengths in this business, so we can all learn a thing or two from each other. We’re all building a business and want it to be successful.
Q: How has your business benefited from working out of the Showroom?
A: I enjoy the showroom work because it gives me the ability to broaden a Client’s appointment to include wardrobe consultations and idea generation. I see more of the product details and different style options that we have to offer Clients. This knowledge has boosted my confidence and helped double my business. My Clients enjoy the showroom experience and most ask, “Why haven’t we always met in the showroom?”
Q: Why should a NYC Stylist take full advantage of the Showroom?
A: NYC Stylists (especially if you’ve just joined) should take full advantage of the Showroom because you will have a leader to help you (if needed) answer questions. The showroom is equipped with all the supplies you need, including fit samples and fabric swatches (remember to also bring your boxes – you know your boxes better). Sample pieces are all tagged with SKU #’s Product Name. To quote one of our SMPs, “This was the easiest time I’ve had during my appointments.”
Enrollment date: March 2013
Current Rank: Style Advisor
Bio: I’ve had a passion for fashion since, well, forever! I majored in Fashion Merchandising and worked in menswear – Van Heusen, J. crew. I’m a blogger, wife, and proud mom of three adult daughters.
Q: Why are you excited to work with new Stylists at the Showroom, and why should a NYC Stylist take full advantage of the Showroom?
A: New Stylists should take advantage of the Showroom to share all the benefits of working with a community of seasoned Stylists, like having the ability to show off the great products – essential and seasonal – and using all these plus the fit samples to increase your sales and boost confidence!
Q: How has your business benefited from working out of the Showroom?
A: I love having a professional setting to meet my Clients – current and new. Having them see actual samples and bigger swatches of fabric helps them to put together full looks instead of making single-item buys which increases my average orders, often over $1K!
Enrollment date: Friday, August 8, 2014
Current Rank: Style Advisor
Bio: I have many years of experience in the hospitality industry, mostly in restaurants and bars. I still do award-winning consulting for the latter. I truly enjoy the joy of offering fond and memorable experiences through dining and special events. Everyone eats. Everyone drinks. My goal is to teach others to do it with a smile and shine that light from within. While helping a friend search for a career, we both found J.Hilburn, and hence, the career shift commenced. It’s been a huge learning experience for me. I didn’t even know what the word “lapel” meant before J.Hilburn’s training courses.
Q: Why are you excited to work with new Stylists at the Showroom?
A: I remember a time when I knew nothing about menswear but was excited to embark on this new career. New Stylists have that excitement that I enjoy encountering and reminds me of the vast opportunities that I’ve experienced and that lie ahead. I am happy to share my grand ideas where I’ve made ‘magic’ happen and it has earned me rewards gifts and incentive trips over the years. New Stylists in the showroom ignite the seasoned Stylists as well.
Q: Why should a NYC Stylist take full advantage of the Showroom?
A: Walking into a space that thoroughly supports you and makes you look like a pro in front of your Clients is a huge flex. Although we run our business as independent Stylists, we run the showroom as a community full of warmth and guidance. For every good experience a Stylist has in the showroom whether it be a lunch and learn or a Client appointment, we only become stronger. The more Stylists use the showroom, the more the word gets out and the referrals come. Everything we do has a ripple effect. I want Stylists to feel welcome and encouraged to grow their business in the NYC Showroom.
Q: How has your business benefited from working out of the Showroom?
A: First of all, I don’t have to lug around my swatch box, nor do I have to worry about showing customizations like piping through many flowering descriptors. The sample pieces in the showroom sell themselves, coupled with the pre-appointment survey, pre-sent style boards, and the VMA, we have so much more time to dig into all 11 categories and the numerous customizations.
There is more time to build rapport with new Clients and dig in deeper with established Clients. Although it’s possible to go through all of this virtually and during an in-home appointment, the showroom offers Stylists a show-and-tell experience that you cannot reproduce otherwise. Well, you could rent a sprinter van with lots of samples, but ain’t nobody got time for that.